Ireland men’s hockey team to play in third place play-off match for Paris 2024 Olympic qualification after loss to Spain

THE Green Machine lost in their semi-final match at the FIH qualifying event in Valencia today.

Mark Tumilty's side faced Spain in Valencia on Friday afternoon, with the winners sealing qualification for Paris 2024.

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However, the Irish - who competed at their first ever Olympics in Rio 2016 - came out the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline as they were outclassed by their Spanish counterparts.

Two goals in the third quarter saw Spain seal an Olympic place in Paris.

Rafael Vilallonga and captain Marc Miralles' were the scorers in the win.

All is not lost for Ireland as they now have to win a bronze medal match in a winner takes all clash on Sunday.

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They will either play Belgium as they aim to book their ticket to Paris, the side play this evening in the other semi.

Speaking after the defeat to the tournament host, Ireland boss Mark Tumilty admitted the Spaniards were the better side.

He said: "Spain deserved their win, even though we had a few chances to score in the final quarter.

"Going into this tournament based on world rankings we thought we might have to go to the bronze medal match, and we are where we expected to be and have prepared for that.

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"Whoever we end up against be it Belgium or Korea, they will offer a different challenge.

"We need to be more clinical at taking our opportunities in front of goal if we are going to achieve our target".

Ireland: David Harte, Luke Madeley, Shane O'Donoghue, Tim Cross, Lee Cole, Daragh Walsh, Nicholas Page, Sean Murray (C), John McKee, Jeremy Duncan, Michael Robson

Subs: Matthew Nelson, Kyle Marshall, Peter Mckibbin, Jonathan Lynch, Sam Hyland, Ben Johnson

Spain: Luiz Calzano (GK), Alejandro Alonso, Xavier Gispert, Alvaro Iglesias, José Basterra, Marc Miralles (C), Jordi Bonastre, Pepe Cunill, Joaquin Menini, Borja Lacallé, Alvaro Portugal

Subs: Enrique Gonzalez, Marc Recasens, Marc Reyne, Ignacio Rodriguez, Gerard Clapes, Rafael Vilallong