The Corkman had just clocked off from an unrelenting shift in Ireland’s 2-0 loss to the defending Olympic champions Belgium in their pool opener in Colombes in the north-west of Paris. With An Taoiseach Simon Harris watching in the stand, the scoreline could have been harsher for Ireland, save for Harte and the defensive effort of his team-mates.
Overall, Belgium had 17 shots at goal and were awarded eight penalty corners so to concede only two goals tells a story of the Irish work-rate. And the goals came from players who’re among the best in the world. In the second quarter, Arthur de Sloover fired in a crash ball which ricocheted in off the stick of Tom Boon and into the back of the Ireland goal.
Boon could be called lucky for this one but he’s a proficient goalscorer. He was player of the tournament in the Olympic qualifier event in Valencia in January – when Ireland secured their Olympic qualification – where he finished top scorer (7).
The second Belgian goal in the final quarter came from Alexander Hendrickx, a penalty corner goalscoring specialist. At the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, Hendrickx reeled off a few hat-tricks of goals including in their opener. But he didn’t get that goal tally in this Olympic opener despite his attempts. The likes of Thibeau Stockbroekx, Victor Wegnez and John-John Dohmen all saw their efforts denied in some shape or form by the towering Harte.
No wonder Harte – who earned his 243rd Ireland cap today – had to take a big exhale after the match.
“A bit deflated but it’s also just an amazing feeling being back playing in an Olympic Games and writing history once again for this group and for Irish men’s hockey, “ Harte said.
“It doesn’t get much better than this; playing against the reigning Olympic champions in front of a packed crowd here in Paris. Looking at the overall 60 minutes Belgium were worthy winners. But I think we could have been just that bit better and perhaps a bit smarter when we did have possession.”
Ireland’s attacking efforts were kept to a few, the best chance came immediately after Belgium scored the first goal in the second quarter. In their only penalty corner of the game, Shane O’Donoghue’s effort was saved on the line by goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch. With Harte, O’Donoghue and Mikey Robson the only players to have experienced an Olympics before in Rio, Harte believes this game will help elevate the pressure on the rest of his team-mates.
“Knowing what it’s like when that first whistle went, you officially become an Olympian,” Harte added.
“So for 14 other guys today that was a really huge moment for them. Everything that you waited for, trained for, years, months, weeks but now that’s gone. Now you can get the shackles off and play a bit more freely and that’s hopefully what we’re going to do now moving forward to the next pool games.”
Their next game is against Australia on Monday followed by more pool games next week against India, Argentina and New Zealand. The top four teams from each pool qualify for the quarter-finals.
So it’s another Tokyo Olympic medallist up next. Australia won silver three years ago. Ireland are the lowest-ranked team in their pool. But that’s all part of the motivation for Harte.
“I think if there’s ever a nation or team that wants to try and punch above their weight that’s definitely us.”
Banbridge-born Head Coach Mark Tumilty added: “It was a difficult start but Belgium were very well set up today and we probably struggled to break them down. At the same time, we defended well and while they had a lot of opportunities in the final third, our defence stood up to that and our goalkeeper was excellent. Australia next up will be a challenge as well as they can play the game a number of different ways and we need to be better with the ball.”
Ireland: D Harte, T Cross, J McKee, M Nelson, D Walsh, K Marshall, S O’Donoghue, S Murray, P McKibbin, P Brown, B Johnson. Rolling subs – J Duncan, M Robson, B Walker, L Cole, N Page.
Belgium: A van Doren, F van Aubel, G Boccard, N de Kerpel, A Hendrickx, F Denayer, V Vanasch, A de Sloover, A Kina, V Wegnez, N Onana Alima, Rolling subs – T Stockbroekx, J-J Dohmen, L Luypaert, T Boon, A van Dessel
