Walker nets four as Ireland bounce back with an 8-4 victory

Men's senior international: Ireland 8 (B Walker 4, M Robson 2, C Empey, D Walsh) Great Britain EDP 4

Ben Walker scored four times as Ireland defeated the Great Britain elite development squad 8-4 at Bisham Abbey on Tuesday.

It was the second game of the series for Mark Tumilty’s fledgling side having lost their first game against the full Olympic-bound Great Britain side 4-0 on Monday with the level of opposition switched at short notice between the two dates.

In game two, Michael Robson netted twice in the first half to see Ireland build a 3-2 lead with Walker getting the other.

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And they raced clear in the second half with another three from the Three Rock Rovers man while Conor Empey and Daragh Walsh – two other products of the Rathfarnham club – also weighing in.

Reflecting on the performance, coach Tumilty said: “We played some good attacking hockey. We scored two exceptional team goals which is a very pleasing but we need to work on our defending as we can’t continue to allow the opposition as many goal scoring opportunities.”

The series finishes off on Thursday with Ireland facing a rematch against the GB main squad as they continue their preparations for August’s EuroHockey Championships II in Poland.