Ireland book place in Paris Olympic Games with pulsating victory over Korea

A day after Ireland women had fallen short of Paris, Ireland held their nerve in a riveting end-to-end encounter. Matthew Nelson and Ben Johnson had given Ireland the lead in the opening 20 minutes. But each time Korea rallied, twice scoring to within one goal of Mark Tumilty’s side. Goals from John McKee and then Shane O'Donogue handed the Irish a crucial advantage.

Captain Shane Murray had an exceptional game for Ireland, while the Green Machine defended with heart at the back. They then withstood a nervy last few minutes as Korea went to 11 outfield players. Ireland jumped for joy at the hooter. It was breathless stuff.

This match took on an expansive nature from the off. If the final ball lacked penetration it was Ireland who had the first penalty corner chance. A game where the set piece could prove telling saw a reverse hit go wide after an initial break down at the top by Shane O’Donoghue.

The next attack saw Sean Murray move in from the baseline and tap to Matthew Nelson. His instinctive deflection forced a fine reactionary save from Kim Jaehyeon.

Ireland then deservedly took the lead with their second penalty corner chance. The Green Machine went for the deflection option and Nelson timed his slide perfectly to find the net.

David Harte was forced into a smart block to his left as the Asian side started at pace in the second quarter. At the other end, in the 19th minute, Korea lost the ball from two pressing green shirts.

An incisive move saw Murray, a constant presence throughout the first-half, again feed in from the baseline. This time John McKee latched onto the pass and zone in across goal to Johnson, who scored with a reverse volley at the far post. His third goal of the campaign.

An highly attacking unit, Korea, beaten easily by Belgium 4-0 in the semi-finals, had endured a rollercoaster week here, either coming back from two goals down or leaking quick doubles to their opposition.

Four minutes later, Korea had indeed pulled one back from their penalty corner set up, Kim Sunghyun volley tapping in from close range after an initial stick block on the Irish defence lines.

A pulsating end-to-end encounter saw Ireland retain their two-goal cushion from the push back. Dangerman Murray set up McKee, who shot first time past Kim.

There was no simply no period of calm. Korea rallied with their own attack from the restart and a quick slap into the circle was nearly directed in off a sliding Korean stick.

With 30 seconds left of the half, an unrelenting Korea struck back from another penalty corner when Yang Jihun dragged to Jeong Junwoo and his diving deflection beat Harte. Five goals in 16 entertaining minutes.

O’Donoghue then regained their two-goal lead with six minutes left. His first goal of the week was executed perfectly from the PC as leaped into the air in celebration.

But Ireland couldn’t hold control of this classic when Korea were awarded a penalty stroke and Jang slotted past Harte.

After Ireland successfully reviewed a Korean goal, Harte then pulled off a wonder save to his left in the closing moments of the third quarter. Korea were left with an uphill battle when Lee Nam Yong was handed a 10-minute yellow card for misconduct in the Irish circle.

The final quarter saw no goals, but the drama was unrelenting. As Korea pressed, each time Ireland cleared. The seconds ticked. Ireland were soon across the line.