Hat-trick heroes get Ireland off to flyer

Ten goals and two wins represents a satisfactory start to Ireland’s World Cup qualification campaign in Argentina, but Paul Revington will know his side must step up a gear in their crucial clash with Belgium tomorrow. The Irish made a mockery of USA’s ranking of just one place below them, dismantling them 6-1 on Saturday. Mikey Watt claimed a hat-trick inside the first 13 minutes — the second, a sublime lofted effort — before Stephen Butler roofed a drag-flick and added another from play to leave the Irish five to the good at the break. Nate Coolidge — who played club hockey in Ireland with Corinthian last season — claimed one back for the US in the second half, but Mitch Darling touched home Geoff McCabe’s sublime reverse-stick cross to restore the five-goal advantage. Ireland surprisingly found the going tougher against Chile yesterday, although having to play twice in 24 hours may have contributed to their sluggishness before two late Alan Sothern drags gave them a flattering 4-1 win. Revington’s side actually put in a better performance and had fought back from a goal down, with Sothern equalising just after half-time before John Jermynwas credited with the final close-range touch to Eugene Magee’s scruffy effort to put them in front. Sothern’s late salvo – two flicks roofed high to the net – saw him complete his hat-trick and boost Ireland’s goal difference column, which may prove crucial later on. Belgium and Argentina lead the way along with Ireland on six points, with the former currently top of the pool on goal difference. A number of Irish players could reach cap milestones against the Belgians on Tuesday; Eugene Magee is set to win his 100th cap with Cork native David Harte set to make his 50th appearance between the sticks. Match videos courtesy of TazVideoSport, Michael Watt interview from World Hockey.