Ireland well beaten by Great Britain in FIH Pro League as Olympic preparations continue

A week after twice beating Olympic champions Belgium in their series of matches in Antwerp, Ireland started out in fine fettle at Lee Valley before shipping two goals inside the first 20 minutes against Great Britain.

Ben Walker pulled a goal back shortly afterwards, but the match proved a step too far when Sam Ward netted a double either side of half-time to keep Ireland bottom of the table in their debut Pro League season.

Sean Murray, Ireland’s captain, said: “They made it tough for us, they were clinical and we didn’t create too many chances of our own.

“We had some good results in Antwerp but now we have to knuckle down and play against teams who have different systems and styles and adapt to them.”

Green Machine coach Mark Tumilty chose a 19-strong squad for their London matches, with three players still to be cut before the final 16 is chosen this month.

With selection on the line, Ireland started brightly. Luke Madeley struck wide of James Mazarelo’s right post with a low dragflick and the first chance of this rare clash, their first since 2015.

The deadlock was broken with three minutes left of the first quarter when GB debutant Henry Croft, with his back to goal, turned and whipped an unstoppable forehand past David Harte.

GB’s second came from an early second quarter counter move. Struan Walker and Ward combined in the circle before the ball bobbled to Phil Roper, who spun and hooked a flashing backhand past two Irish defenders and an unsighted Harte.

Despite Ireland’s opening possession play, they had yet to offer circle penetration.

That changed two minutes later when Walker, who plays for Belgian side Braxgata, controlled a crash ball into the D.

Falling forwards, his push shot had enough venom to pass through Toby Reynolds-Cotterill’s legs.

In an end-to-end quarter, GB regained their two-goal cushion less than two minutes later after John McKee was handed a 10-minute yellow for an illegal tackle.

A swift counter shortly afterwards saw Ward touch home brilliantly from a fizzing ball deep into the circle.

The Old Georgians forward netted his double three minutes into the second half as he sent a slinging dragflick down the middle which Jamie Carr couldn’t stop.

Welshman Gareth Furlong, another GB debutant, then struck with a powerful penalty corner flick late on for their fifth.

Walker said: “We started well and came out quite fast, going off the belief we got last week in Antwerp.

“The third goal before half-time killed us a bit. We showed some good stuff in the second half but GB were quick, direct and took their chances. There is lots for us to work on.”

Ireland next play world champions Germany on Sunday morning at 10am. The Germans, missing several star players, lost 3-0 to India earlier on Saturday.