The Ireland Men’s Hockey team secured a 4-1 victory over South Africa, recording their first FIH Hockey World Cup victory since 1978.
Having gone a goal down in the third quarter, Ireland turned the game around thanks to a Ben Walker goal, a brace of penalty corners from Lee Cole, and a finish in the final minutes from Sam Hyland to put the game beyond reach.
In a must-win game for both sides to keep top-two hopes alive, South Africa took control with the first goal, a spectacular effort from Kenton Melville before Walker levelled.
Cole added two while the icing on the cake came with a minute to play when Hyland was slapped home a fourth.
Speaking after the game, Player of the Match Cole said: “We started a little bit slow, we improved but then found ourselves behind. We showed unbelievable character to come back and get a win. It’s the stuff we dream of.”
On the performance of his fellow defenders, Cole said: “I don’t think we left a lot to be desired out there. Jaime Carr, Peter McKibbin; unbelievable. Everyone in our back four today were unbelievable.”
Head Coach, Mark Tumilty added: “Going behind probably helped us. When we went behind we started to be more aggressive in our press, we stole a bit more ball and could play off that.
“It shows the character of the group to grind that result out. I am not convinced twelve months ago we would have.”
The result means Ireland keep themselves within the hunt for a top two finish in Pool C, with a draw against Spain on Thursday enough to see the side progress.