Hook Hockey

Last gasp McDade strike denied Ireland

UCD 3 Nations
Ireland 3 (J Jermyn, B Doherty, M Watt) South Africa 3 (J Reid-Ross, I Haley T McDade)
Thornton McDade’s last minute cracker denied Ireland a second win over Olympic-bound South Africa in six days but Paul Revington’s charges once again impressed at Belfield.

As a spectacle, it was end to end stuff with the mixed nature of both squads – South Africa flew in three new players from last weekend – adding an unpredictable air with a mix of fitness levels on show.

Mikey Watt was one at the top end and he put in a tireless performance which was almost capped by a 64th minute winner, finishing off a relentless right-wing break.

Stephen Dowds was equally lively during his bursts on the pitch while Eugene Magee, from centre midfield applied his usual mix of trickery and power to proceedings.

It came close to getting over the line but late concentration was lost and McDade’s first bunt beautifully found space in the circle to unleash a rocket with less than 40 seconds to go.

It means South Africa are in pole position in the UCD 3 Nations tournament but if Ireland can beat Belgium by two goals on Thursday, they will add this title to go with the Celtic Cup they won on Sunday.

Justin Reid-Ross started the deluge from his side’s second corner, the Dutch Hoofdklasse’s second highest scorer this term roofing one over the post-man’s head.

John Jermyn’s 78th Irish goal – now just one off the national record – from the penalty spot cancelled it out. Conor Harte’s drag-flick thudded into Johnny Robinson’s leg on the line allowing Jonny Bruton to pop home the rebound but John Wright’s whistle beat him to it.

It almost proved costly as stand-in keeper Jacques Le Roux got a heavy glove to it but Jermyn’s flick had the power to get through.

Six minutes before the break, Ireland’s corner routine delivered 2-1, this time Brian Doherty dragging low. With the pace slightly taken off, it might have been intended for an Irish deflection but it took a defender’s stick and eluded Le Roux.

Robust tackles pock-marked the early phases of the second half with Nick Gonsalves and Julian Hykes receiving green cards while Lloyd Norris-Jones went to the bin for a niggly foul.

Lance Louw followed him with nine minutes to go in a bizarre incident, his foul deemed bad enough to warrant five minutes out but receiving nothing more than a five-metre free by way of on-pitch punishment rather than a corner.

Robinson had the clearest goal sight to this point after Haley had his path half-checked by an excellent David Harte stop. He swept at goal but Haley’s momentum got in his way, his foot blocking the ball en route to goal.

As they did against Scotland and Belgium, South Africa netted whilst down to ten players, Ian Haley sliding with the touch to Andrew Cronje’s low push for 2-2.

Parity lasted merely 30 seconds as Ireland pulled out the move of the match as Dowds rolled down the line for John Jackson who checked his run and laid a 90 degree pass back into the young Bann man’s path.

The angle allowed Dowds to chip past the cover defence and square for Watt just in front of Le Roux where he coolly switched to his reverse and popped in.

When Ireland won a corner with 90 seconds to go, it should have been enough – if not to extend the margin – to run the clock out to a great extent. But South Africa launched one last attack and McDade took advantage for a third equaliser.

Ireland: D Harte, R Gormley, E Magee, C Harte, S Loughrey, M Watt, J Bruton, D Carson, C Cargo, J Jermyn, J Jackson
Subs: J Lynch, S Dowds, D Carlisle, D Cole, B Doherty

South Africa: J Le Roux, A Cronje, L Madsen, T Drummond, J Hykes, L Louw, R Halkett, T McDade, I Haley, C Panther, N Gonsalves
Subs: J Reid-Ross, M Harper, L Norris-Jones, R West, J Robinson

UCD 3 Nations
Result: Ireland 3 (J Jermyn, B Doherty, M Watt) South Africa 3 (J Reid-Ross, I Haley T McDade)
Standings (played): 1. South Africa (2) 4pts (+1) 2. Ireland 1pt (0) 3. Belgium 0pts (-1)