Paris 2024 Olympics hockey: Kookaburras beat Ireland 2-1 to continue winning run

The Australian men’s hockey team continued its Paris 2024 Olympics winning run with a 2-1 victory over Ireland in their second Pool B match at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Colombes on Monday.

Corey Weyer (9’) gave the Kookaburras the lead in the first quarter before Ireland restored parity through Lee Cole (25’) in the second quarter. However, Blake Govers (30’) scored just five minutes later and Australia held on to the lead to secure the win.

Following their win here, Australia are second in Pool B after collecting six points from two matches. Belgium occupy the top spot with a better goal difference.

Australia, fourth in the hockey world rankings, won 1-0 against Argentina in their Paris 2024 campaign opener.

They got off to a strong start in this contest and Lachlan Sharp had a great chance at the five-minute mark.

The Kookaburras got the first penalty corner in the match just three minutes later but Blake Govers’ shot got saved by opposition keeper David Harte. Corey Weyer gave Australia the lead from another penalty corner just a minute later as the Kookaburras led 1-0 after the first quarter.

Ireland, ranked 11th, created chance after chance in the first 10 minutes of the second quarter. After John McKee, Benjamin Walker and Jonathan Lynch’s came close, it was Lee Cole who restored parity from a penalty corner at the 25th-minute mark.

After receiving two penalty corners at the stroke of half-time, Australia restored their lead when Blake Govers converted his penalty stroke. It was his second goal in as many matches at Paris 2024.

The Kookaburras went on the offensive in the first five minutes of the third quarter and Govers had a penalty corner saved. Australia continued to dominate proceedings and looked comfortable holding on to their one-goal lead heading into the final quarter of the game.

Nathan Ephraums had a great chance to double the Kookaburras’ advantage just two minutes into the fourth quarter. Despite the missed opportunity, Australia comfortably held on to their solitary goal lead to clinch their second win of the Olympic campaign.

The Kookaburras will take on world No. 4 Belgium next in the group stage of the Paris 2024 Olympics men’s hockey tournament on Wednesday.