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Ireland's Michael Watt celebrates at the final whistle. Ryan Byrne/INPHO
ACHIEVEMENT

Irish hockey team claim historic victory over England

It is the side’s first win over their neighbours since 2002 and first win on home soil since 1949.

IRELAND 2 (0) Mikie Watt 41m op; 67m pc
ENGLAND 1 (1) Ashley Jackson 31m pc

IRELAND SECURED THEIR first victory over the current World Number 5 team since 2002 at Belfield today and first win on home soil against their rivals since 1949.

In a closely fought affair, England opened the scoring after 31 minutes, when Ashley Jackson gave his side the lead with a low dragged shot just before the break.

However, on 41 minutes, the scores were even again, when Mikie Watt converted Shane O’Donoghue’s corner.

Both sides missed good chances, before Watt was again on hand three minutes from time, as he capitalised following a penalty corner switch by Conor Harte for his 50th international goal.

Reacting to the historic result, Irish coach Ned Fulton said: “It was an improvement on yesterday’s game — we had a good start. The belief in the group was strong and we were able to execute the chances we created as well as defending well. I was very proud of the performance, but we still have work to do and we look forward to next week.”

IRELAND: David Harte; John Jackson; Ronan Gormley; Michael Watt; Kirk Shimmins; Mitch Darling; Timmy Cockram; Michael Robson; Paul Gleghorne; Conor Harte; Shane O’Donoghue

Reserves; Johnny Bell; Maurice Elliott; Peter Caruth; Stephen Cole; Bruce McCandless; Drew Carlisle David Fitzgerald

ENGLAND: George Pinner; Oliver Willars; Henry Weir; Ashley Jackson; Harry Martin; Alistair Brogdon; Mark Gleghorne; Barry Middleton; Iain Lewers; Nick Catlin; Dan Fox;

Reserves: Andrew Bull; Simon Mantell; Phil Roper; Adam Dixon; Patrick Smith; David Condon; Tom Carson.

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