Ireland cut loose in second half to beat Chile again

Ireland 3-1 Chile

Ireland’s men picked up a second successive win over Chile as they saw off the South American side at the Sport Ireland Campus with a fine second-half showing.

John McKee and Martin Rodriguez exchanged early goals to have it level at 1-1 and it remained that way into the second half before the hosts cut loose.

Kevin O’Dea took advantage of a near-in miscontrol to put Ireland back in front and then Callum Robson sealed the deal with a rocket of a first-time touch.

"Pleased, it was much better than yesterday's performance [a 3-2 win]," coach Mark Tumilty reflected on the tie.

"We played with more purpose and intent, especially in Q3. Q4 it became a bit too stretched and I think the players recognised that and over-carried the ball. It is progress and if we are winning at the same time, that’s good."

Ireland now have two days off before facing world number 19 Austria on Saturday (3.30pm) and Sunday (9.30am), a busy schedule which Tumilty is grateful for following a quiet couple of years with Covid and a turnover of players.

"With this group, it is about getting them as many games as possible, up to 30 a year," he said. "The teams who are making progress and being competitive have 100-plus caps which we don’t have many of unfortunately.

"It is a great experience to play against a South American style of play and it is a chance to take on a side going to a World Cup. They are a dangerous side, have a good aerial ball and give us a real challenge."

McKee got the tie off to a rip-roaring start with a gorgeous solo goal, his first-time pull inside beating his marker 40-metres from goal. He drove at the heart of the Chilean D, taking the space on offer to work a shooting chance close in and flicking into the bottom