World League: Ireland lose 4-1 to Australia

Ireland's men hockey team have lost 4-1 to top seeds Australia in the World League quarter-finals in Antwerp.

The Irish held the world champions scoreless in the first quarter before goals from Matt Gohdes, Jamie Dwyer, Simon Orchard and Blake Govers booked the Kookaburras a semi-final place.

Shane O'Donoghue pulled a consolation goal back for Ireland.

They will play Pakistan in the play-offs with hopes of reaching the 2016 Olympics still alive.

The Irish put in a dogged performance in very hot conditions in Antwerp, and held Australia scoreless in the opening 22 minutes and still only trailed by one goal by the end of the third quarter.

Alan Sothern had a chance to equalise but his shot was well saved by the Australian goalkeeper.

The Australians scored three goals in a 10 minute-spell and Shane O'Donoghue's drag flick was scant consolation for the Irish.

"I'm incredibly proud of the performance," said Ireland coach Craig Fulton.

"At the same time we're all very disappointed because we believed we could get a result.

"We won four corners at crucial times, and we played well to get those, but we weren't clinical enough.

"That said, it was a fantastic effort on everyone's part in the heat today against the world number one {team]. We look forward to the next game and finishing as high as we possibly can in this tournament".

Ireland: Harte, Jackson, Bell, Gormley, Watt, Cargo, Caruth, O'Donoghue, Darling, Good, Gleghorne.

Subs: Sothern, Dowds, Magee, Shimmins, Carlisle, Fitzgerald, Harte