After the emotional roller-coaster of Ireland's match against Argentina and the subsequent hope for France to do Ireland a favour, the Irish could be forgiven one bad result.
But the gut-wrenching manner in which Ireland were pushed into fourth place for the tournament has added the sour feeling that the good results have barely been converted into any world ranking point gains over sides ahead of them.
They led 1-0 thanks to Andy Barbour's delightful lob with 24 minutes remaining but let the lead slip, conceding twice in the final six minutes through Mattieu Durchon and Antoine Gouedard.
Indeed, Ireland were disappointed not to be further ahead. They looked more likely to double the lead with Mark Gleghorne seeing a drag-flick, John jermyn hitting a post saved and Eugene Magee going close before France's late show.
Ireland coach David Passmore said “this was a disappointing end to the tournament. We completely controlled the game created many chances but we lost it by not being clinical at the right times”
New Zealand went on to claim the Olympic spot, beating Argentina 3-2 after extra time.
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13 comments:
Typical irish sport. Don't win the games when we really need to.
Unfortunately, we always seem to promise so much but fall short when it really matters.
Lets get behind the boys here a bit, they did us proud out there in NZ and can come home with their heads held high, not reaching the final was a gut renching experience for them all having come so close...to miss out on goal difference against sides with the calibre of Argentina and New Zealand is a fantastic performance, Yes the last game -v- France was a terrible way to end such a good tournament but does it really make a huge difference? whetther they came 3rd or 4th in my opinion doesnt really matter, at the end of the day its still a position where they dont qualify to play in Beijing later this year...Congrats lads, great performance over there and heres to continued success in the fortcoming years...
Good effort by the Irish lads, but it is clear that they do not know how to play tournament hockey. To lose to France and finish fourth is a disaster, and puts the Agentina win down as a one off victory. Top tier international teams are consistent. The Irish team are not. Passmore should be sacked and a coach who will let Irish flair and talent prevail should be installed. Passmore is too conservative. Perhaps if he attempted to manage the likes of Justin Sherriff, then Ireland would have a cutting edge, thus losing the tag of the 'nearly men' in international hockey. In reality have the Irish team done any better in this professional structure, then when they were in the free spirit regime. I'd suggest Ireland were more of a threat in the days when flair was allowed to be expressed. Simple: Structure and Conservatisim = Average; whereas Structure built around flair = danger. Conclusion: opposition do not like danger. The Irish team are not dangerous or daring, they rely heavily on the corner routine to score goals. Cutting edge at this level is the ability to score a goal out of nothing, so the ability to take a risk is imperative. If top tier hockey is our aim, then the above comments should be considered. Well done Passmore on your efforts, albeit conservative. Its time to deliver, rather than nearly deliver!!
well done lads so close and yet so far. as for the coach i think he has brought irish hockey on hughly but his time is up. let some one else come in and get the likes of sherif back playing. next manager must be foreign as well, make sure policics dont get involved, for instince gleinster.
is it time for dave passmore to move on?it is true that he has had a huge effect on irish hockey but has he done as much as he can do?
Out with the old, in with the new
kfnnzbloody hell you lot are a bag of whingers gettin as bad as the rugny fans, lets be honest ireland were never expected to qualify from this tournament and if we did i guarantee you would all be singing from a different hyme sheet, At the end of the day Passmore can tell them to play 11 men behind the ball but if the game plays out different then the players will play it as they see it, i say congrats to the lads, very proud of you all.
We are not saying anything about the players, absolutely fantastic showing in nz. its just time for passmore to step down, sure craig fulton does all the coaching anyway when he should be honouring his real contract for pw not pissing off in the middle of the season on his part time job!!!
Is it true that Warwick Armstrong has put himself forward as a candidate for the Irish job should Passmore's contract expire without renewal?
Passmore is his own boss do you reckon when it comes up for discussion he just renews his own contract on the sly??!
suppose thats another factor. Even if a new guy comes in as head coach, Passmore is the one who judges him. Doesen't seem right unless he is releaved of all his duties
Interesting Facts about Shaws performance in the tournament:
Glenanne Site
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