Ireland into Champions Challenge QF

Afetr a hard-fought 3-1 victory over South Africa, Ireland booked a quarter-final meeting against Poland in the Champions Challenge Hockey tournament in Argentina .

It was new Irish coach Andrew Meredith’s first competitive win after his side lost their first two games against hosts Argentina and Japan in the Champions Challenge 1 tournament.

Andy McConnell scrambled the ball home following good play from Mitch Darling to give Ireland the lead  after eight minutes.

South Africa drew level within five minutes when Ireland failed to clear following a penalty corner and Miguel Da Garca scored.

Ireland led again in the 42nd minute through John Jermyn on a short-corner variation.

South Africa came back strongly but Ireland’s Conor Harte made it 3-1 from a penalty corner in the 62nd minute.

The victory means Ireland finish third in Pool B and will face second in Pool A, Poland on Thursday 29th November 2012 at  5:30pm GMT

Speaking after the game a delighted Ireland Coach, Andrew Meredith said ‘The result was a good reward for the players who have been improving half by half, game by game. Their work rate in the extreme heat here was outstanding and the result was just reward for their efforts’

Ireland Starting XI: D Harte, C Harte, Gleghorne, Gormley, Jackson, Jermyn, McCabe, Magee, Darling, Cockram, O’Donoghue