FIH Olympic qualifiers: Ireland's men beat Korea to qualify for Paris Olympics

Ireland will compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics after a sensational 4-3 win over Korea in the third/fourth place play-off at the qualifiers tournament.

Matthew Nelson and Ben Johnson goals put Ireland in charge in Valencia before Sunghyun Kim pulled one back.

John McKee restored the two-goal advantage and Junwoo Jeong made it 3-2 before Shane O'Donoghue added Ireland's fourth.

Jonghyun Jang netted from a penalty stroke but Ireland held on to win.

It will be a second Olympics appearance for the Irish men following their debut in Rio eight years ago as they claimed the 12th and final place at the Paris Games.

"We knew it was going to be tough, we knew it was going to go right down to the wire and credit to Korea. We got ahead and they came back, we got ahead and they came back and it was just such a tough match," explained Irish captain Sean Murray.

"We've been looking forward to this for so long. We've been on the other end of it before Tokyo, not qualifying, and now it just feels amazing, so proud that we can be looking forward to Paris in the summer.

"We knew they were a dangerous side and we couldn't give up until the end and yeah, I'm just delighted that we were able to hold out and see it over the line."

Shane O'Donoghue celebrates scoring Ireland's fourth goal against Korea on Sunday

Ireland were denied a place in the Tokyo Olympics four years ago in the closing seconds and in controversial fashion when an umpire's decision went against them. For many in this squad putting the record straight is something they've been waiting to do.

Murray added: "I always say it's a dream come true but it really is. We looked at this, this is the pinnacle for hockey and to be on the other end of this and to lose so narrowly and not go to the Olympic Games, it takes a while to get over.

"But it also gives you the motivation and the last three, four years since to get out there, do those ugly running sessions, the things that people don't see behind the scenes. I'm just so proud of the guys that we've gone and finally qualified for the Olympic Games."

From the opening pushback there was no thought from either team of defending.

Ireland began to get on top as the first quarter went on and deservedly opened the scoring from a well worked penalty corner routine when Murray's pass from the top of the circle found Nelson, who redirected the ball into the net.

The Irish doubled their advantage early in the second quarter, turning Korea over deep in their own territory and after McKee's shot was saved, the ball bounced up and Johnson finished superbly on the reverse stick high into the net.

Korea weren't going to capitulate easily as Kim pulled a goal back from a penalty corner after the first shot was cleared off the line by Luke Madeley.

However, Ireland struck again with Daragh Walsh pulling down an overhead and he found Murray, who attacked the baseline and pulled the ball back for McKee to finish.

Ireland couldn't hold the lead until the interval however as Korea scored from another penalty corner when Jeong found the net.

Irish goalkeeper Davy Harte kept out the next two Korean penalty corners early in the third quarter and it set the stage for his teammates to regain a two-goal lead for the third time in the game.

O'Donoghue's drag flick from a penalty corner made it 4-2 but within a minute Korea had closed the gap once again.

A penalty stroke was awarded after Harte collided with a Korean forward and Jang made no mistake from the spot.

The drama wasn't over as Lee Cole made an incredible clearance off the line from yet another Korean penalty corner and a video referral saved the blushes of Luke Madeley, who almost gifted an equaliser when he cleared the ball onto a Korean forward's stick but it came off Harte and hit the player's back before bobbling into the net.

Korea had to kill off a 10-minute yellow card at the start of the final quarter and the clocked ticked down until Ireland were finally able to celebrate.

The squad can now look forward to making their FIH Pro League debut next month and then the Olympics in the summer.

"Yeah, it's amazing, it's a great year for hockey and a great year so far to start off in January to qualify for the Olympic Games," Murray said with a smile.

"I always wanted to be able to say those words but I never thought they'd really come true and here today, a day to remember."