Jesus, that was tense.
Ireland’s hockey team are still kicking and their fans are still screaming their heads off.
Needing to win to keep their Olympic dreams alive, Ireland got off to a flyer but Canada crept back into the tie and set up a nerve-jangling finalé.
Ireland went 2-0 up after an early Shane O’Donoghue penalty goal and a crisp finish from the same player. The third goal came 90 seconds later, 28 minutes in, when Peter Caruth slid to guide one home.
Canada got right back into the tie with a brace from Scott Tuper and Ireland needed two goalline clearances amid some frenetic passages of play.
The win was sealed, though, when Michael ‘Mitch’ Darling reacted well to squeak one in for 4-2.
To qualify for the last eight, Ireland will need Argentina to either draw or lose to Germany. Were that to happen, Ireland could get to the quarters by defeating the Argentineans in their final group game.
We’re telling you there’s a chance.
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