Paris — Was this David Harte’s last game for Ireland? Well, if it is, the Cork goalkeeper produced a highly memorable sign off with a string of world-class saves as the Green Machine beat New Zealand 2-1.
Harte, 36, saved the best until 90 seconds from the end of a lively encounter as he launched himself low and twisting to his right to send Ireland into a world top 10 berth for the first time since 2016. Ireland had come from a goal down to win their first and final match in Paris thanks to goals from Ben Walker and Jeremy Duncan.
Harte, who will be 40 by the LA Olympics, said: “Should this be the last game I’ve ever played in a green jersey, I don’t think there is more beautiful way to go out in my second Olympic Games with my family watching me.
“Winning a game like that and managing to pull out a few saves is incredibly special.”
Harte and his defence thwarted New Zealand’s 15 penalty corner chances, while failing to accrue a single set piece themselves.
The Black Sticks got off to the perfect start, courtesy of a high deflection from Joseph Morrison’s stick in the fifth minute.
At the end of the first quarter, Ireland levelled when Walker intercepted a sloppy back pass and slapped low into the backboards.
Ireland took the lead early in the second-half when Walker stole the ball inside the 23m and Duncan pushed past Dom Dixon.
Nelson then had a chance to floor New Zealand and a two-goal cushion before pushing wide. All the while, Harte’s pads and gloves staved off each Kiwi corner chance.
Ireland’s stand out stopper then pulled off a magnificent save with 90 seconds left from a crash ball move into the circle, turning the ball inches past the post.
“Joy is the big one,” said Ireland’s captain Sean Murray. “There’s lots of emotions, proud, ecstatic and relief. Credit to New Zealand, they came out firing the whole time. Credit to David. It’s amazing to finish off with a win, for Hockey Ireland, the fans and the country.”
Coach Mark Tumilty, who recently inked a deal to stay as men’s coach up until Los Angeles 2028, will now give his team a few weeks off before focusing on a return to EuroHockey A Division. Dublin will stage the event with Ireland first facing Malta at the end of the month.
Tumilty said: “We have a bright future and if we can get our programme right which we have done for the last six months, if we can maintain that for a full-year cycle hopefully we can get to LA and hopefully compete there.”
“We have a really good group and that’s a reason for me wanting to stay on to work with these players. We have a few from the under-21s who can add a lot of depth.
Harte added: “We are very fortunate to receive more backing and funding than we ever have before. If we really want to bridge the gap between the top six to eight nations and kick on we need to have that little bit of extra support.”
