Lifestyle & Sports
22 Jan 24

Ireland win over Korea sends them to the Paris Olympic Games

VALENCIA - FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024 Valencia 19 Ireland v Korea (3/4) Picture: Ireland wins with 4-3 from Korea and is going to the Olympics. COPYRIGHT WORLDSPORTPICS FRANK UIJLENBROEK

Emily O'Brien

In a close 4-3 game, Ireland claims a spot at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Sunday the 21st of January saw the Irish men's hockey team face off the Republic Korea in a game that would decide which team would have the opportunity to represent their country in the 2024 Olympic Games. Ireland took the match.

In a post on X, Hockey Ireland shared their delight at the result, describing it as "an incredible performance".

!!

They secure their ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics! What an incredible performance that was against a truly determined Korea side. ☘️☘️#HockeyInvites #EnrouteToParis #Paris24 #greenmachine pic.twitter.com/df9HrMoyI7

— Hockey Ireland (@irishhockey) January 21, 2024

Ireland seized the first goal by Matthew Nelson in the first quarter. They then doubled their lead three minutes into the second quarter when Ben Johnson saved a shot made by John McKee.

However, as this was the last chance for both teams to make it to the Paris Games. Kim Junghoo claimed the first goal for Korea in the second quarter.

Ireland responded by claiming another goal by McKee once again off of a pass from Sean Murray.

Right before the close of the first half, Korea switched up their penalty procedure that allowed Junwoo Jeong.

Then at the start of the third quarter, Shane O’Donoghue knocked a corner penalty into the net bringing the match to 4-2.

With just two minutes left in the quarter, Jang Jonghyun obtained another goal for Korea, bringing the score to 4-3 to Ireland.

It was almost a 4-4 match when the ball was knocked off Nam Young Lee and into the net, but the goal was rescinded. This got him locked in the sin bin for the first ten minutes of the fourth quarter.

Both teams entered the final quarter hunting a final goal. Korea was restored to their full fielded team in the final minutes of the game, as well as subbed their goalkeeper for an outfielder to put more pressure on Ireland.

However, Ireland still emerged victorious with a final score of 4-3. The men's hockey team will be in Paris from July 26th to August 11th, flying the tricolour at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.