Watt Powers Electric Ireland

Ireland played their fourth match in front of a sell out crowd tonight at the Electric Ireland FIH Road To London tournament in Belfield, Dublin.

Ireland were quick off the mark opening the scoring in the 6th minute thanks to marksman's Timmy Cockram's trademark dragflick. But, despite dominating play throughout the half Ireland failed to convert and saw three more penalty corners go astray. 

Ireland came out with a much more energetic performance in the second half and just two minutes in Cockram was lining up once again with a drag effort which was just wide. 

Eight minutes in Electric Ireland man of the match Michael Watt doubled Ireland's lead when Watt weaved his way across the top of the 'd' to find space to nip away a powerful reverse stick shot on the 43rd minute. Ireland created many other chances a couple coming from an impressive Chris Cargo and Ian Sloan but it was Michael Watt who was on target once again when Cockram picked out Jermyn who slipped it through to Watt for a close range shot and 3-0 lead. 

Ireland continued to dominate in a match that saw keeper David Harte only called into action once towards the end but Ireland finished up with another 3 points, knowing that a draw against Malaysia on Saturday will be enough to secure a spot in the final of the Electric Ireland FIH Road to London final.

Starting XI David Harte (GK); John Jackson; Geoff McCabe; Ronan Gormley; Michael Watt; Eugene Magee; Michael Darling; Timmy Cockram; David Ames; Paul Gleghorne; Stuart Loughrey.

Reserves (all used): Chris Cargo; John Jermyn; Peter Caruth; Andy McConnell; Ian Sloan; 

Ireland Hockey Ames for Olympics

Ireland boosted their hopes of reaching the London Olympics after holding highly-fancied South Korea to a 1-1 draw in their hockey qualifier at a sold-out Belfield in Dublin.

The hosts came close to stunning the Koreans, the world's sixth-ranked team, when they led through David Ames on 27 minutes but Hyun Woo-nam equalised in the second half following a penalty corner.

South Korea had been fully expected to clinch the one Olympic place on offer at this week's tournament but Ireland, who had won their opening two matches, could now sneak a place into Sunday's final.

Ireland and South Korea are both locked on seven points and look set to fight it out to meet Malaysia, who have won all three of their games so far, in the final.

The 16th-ranked Irish, who have never qualified for an Olympics, will meet lowly Chile on Thursday before a crucial meeting with Malaysia on Saturday.