Hockey: Ireland 0-2 Wales - Pritchard double clinches win for visitors

Wales are ranked 15th in the world

Jack Pritchard scored twice as Wales beat Ireland 2-0 in the opening game of their three-Test series.

Pritchard broke the deadlock with a short range shot mid-way through the first half before deflecting Rupert Shipperley's assist in the 54th minute.

Co-captain Shipperley is set to win his 100th Wales cap in Saturday's second match at Hillsborough, Northern Ireland.

Owen Sutton and Jonny Fleck, in contrast, both made their Wales debuts.

Pritchard said: "It was nice to get a couple of goals [but] it was a hell of a performance. We defended really well and played well across the board with a couple of new caps."

The series is part of Wales' build-up to EuroHockey Championship I in July.

Mike Wood is in line for his senior Wales debut while Rhys Bradshaw could win his 50th cap.

Head coach Danny Newcombe added: "It was a great start to the test series and a really pleasing performance. I'm really proud of Owen and Jonny for their first game for Wales.

"We're looking forward to building on these performances for the weekend."

Wales squad: Rhodri Furlong, Dewi Roblin, Gareth Griffiths, Toby Reynolds-Cotterill, Rhys Bradshaw, Daniel Kyriakides, Fred Newbold, Hywel Jones, Rupert Shipperley (co-capt), Steve Kelly, Ben Francis, Mike Wood, Luke Hawker (co-capt), Owen Sutton, Owain Dolan Gray, Jacob Draper, Jolyon Morgan, Alf Dinnie, Jonny Fleck, Jack Pritchard.