Ireland hammered by The Netherlands in Fexco Match Series

A three goal blitz in the space of two minutes was the undoing of the Green Machine as a clinical Dutch side lived up to the world number two ranking.

The game began with the sides evenly matched and Shane O’Donoghue had the best chance for the Irish as his drag flick from a 12th minute PC was saved.

ten minutes later Mikie Watt created a chance for himself as he powered along the baseline but saw his shot hit the side of the goal.

The opening goal didn’t come until the 25th minute when Mink van der Weerden scored his first of the evening from a PC.

Two minutes later Herzberger doubled the Dutch lead as he broke down the wing and fired a bullet into the corner.

However the Irish took just a minute to respond as Cargo was the quickest to react to a rebounded ball and Ireland were within touching distance at 2-1 going into half time.

A three goal rampage between the 40th and 42nd minute cost the Green Machine dearly as van der Weerden’s penalty stroke was the nail in the coffin following goals by Bakker and Pruijser.

Ireland, returning from a Six6 Nations tournament in Valencia, possibly struggled with the pace of the Dutch given this was the third match in three days for the Green Machine.

But the clinical nature of the Dutch cannot be underestimated as they countered at a blistering pace and Croon made it seven for the visitors, while Jackson got a consolation goal in the 51st minute.

The two sides meet again on Wednesday at 7pm in UCC.