Ireland in battle to stay in Pro League after German defeat

Ireland 0-3 Germany

Ireland again went down to defeat against Germany in their penultimate FIH Pro League match, losing 3-0, but it was an improved showing from the Irish following their 7-0 reverse against the same opposition on Sunday last.

Another date with Great Britain awaits on Thursday for Mark Tumilty's side where a win will be required to keep their chances of staying in the Pro League alive

Tumilty made three changes to the starting line-up, with Lee Cole and Peter McKibbin returning in defence and David Harte named in goal.

Germany took the lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke which Timm Herzbruch converted in the 36th minute. Gonzalo Peillat converted a penalty corner in the 43rd minute to double their lead and a breakaway counter-attack produced the third goal in the final minute from open play by Thies Prinz.

Both sides came out of the traps and had chances early in the first quarter. Germany's Timm Herzbruch's shot was blocked over the bar by David Harte in the third minute and a few minutes later Ireland's John McKee forced German netminder Alexander Stadler to make a save at the opposite end of the field.

Ireland got the only penalty corner of the first quarter but Shane O'Donoghue's drag flick inadvertently hit Moritz Ludwig and a free hit was the outcome. The Irish almost took the lead when a cross from Nick Page flashed across the face of the German goal towards Ben Johnson who failed to connect with it. Ben Walker flicked a shot just wide of the German goal two minutes later.

In the third quarter things began to change. Moritz Ludwig, later chosen as player of the match, ran down the inside right channel and his shot was flicked over the bar by Malte Hellwig in the 31st minute.

Germany won their