Ireland 3 (Alan Sothern, Chris Cargo, Shane O’Donoghue) Germany 2 (Christopher Ruhr, Florian Fuchs)
Ireland’s men produced a superb performance to beat reigning Olympic champions Germany 3-2 in Heilbronn last night in their first build-up game for the World League round three.
In front of 3,000 spectators, Alan Sothern gave the side the lead in fourth minute before Chris Cargo doubled up midway through the second half as they produced an effective counter-attack performance.
Christopher Ruhr got one back only for Shane O’Donoghue to reply moments later to build a 3-1 lead. Florian Fuchs got a consolation late in the day.
The German were shy some of their top stars with star man Christopher Zeller on EuroHockey League duty with Rot Weiss Koln in Amsterdam but Ireland were also short some of their top players due to exam commitments.
Ireland will face Germany on Saturday, this time in Mannheim at 2pm Irish Time to round off the test series. Meanwhile Ireland were confirmed to play New Zealand, India and the Netherlands in the group stages of the World League Round Three in Rotterdam next month.
Ireland 2 (Mikey Watt, Kyle Good) Germany 5 (Oskar Deeke 2, Christopher Ruhr, Mats Grambusch, Lukas Windfeder)
Three goals in a four minute spell either side of half-time proved the difference as Germany bounced back from Friday’s defeat to record a 5-2 win over Ireland, sharing the series with one win each.
Germany took an early lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke in the 11th minute with Oskar Deeke converting.
The next period was evenly matched with both sides creating chances but no further goals until a quickfire salvo just before the half-time break with Christopher Ruhr and Deeke netting to make it 3-0.
Mats Grambusch compounded their superiority in the first minute of the second half before Mikey Watt got one back in the 41st minute.
Lukas Windefer netted a corner before Kyle Good closed out the tie for Ireland who made a couple of changes from Friday’s line-up.
Dave Fitzgerald came into the side in place of David Harte while Alan Sothern had to return early from the trip for work reasons and Eugene Magee had a niggle in his leg.
James Lorimer and Daniel Buser both made their second appearances in senior jersies after making their debuts on Friday afternoon.
Ireland 2 (Mikey Watt, Kyle Good) Germany 5 (Oskar Deeke 2, Christopher Ruhr, Mats Grambusch, Lukas Windfeder)
Three goals in a four minute spell either side of half-time proved the difference as Germany bounced back from Friday’s defeat to record a 5-2 win over Ireland, sharing the series with one win each.
Germany took an early lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke in the 11th minute with Oskar Deeke converting.
The next period was evenly matched with both sides creating chances but no further goals until a quickfire salvo just before the half-time break with Christopher Ruhr and Deeke netting to make it 3-0.
Mats Grambusch compounded their superiority in the first minute of the second half before Mikey Watt got one back in the 41st minute.
Lukas Windefer netted a corner before Kyle Good closed out the tie for Ireland who made a couple of changes from Friday’s line-up.
Dave Fitzgerald came into the side in place of David Harte while Alan Sothern had to return early from the trip for work reasons and Eugene Magee had a niggle in his leg.
James Lorimer and Daniel Buser both made their second appearances in senior jersies after making their debuts on Friday afternoon.