Ireland 4 Netherlands 7:EARLY GOALS from Eugene Magee and Geoff McCabe allowed Ireland to briefly dream of the biggest result in the last century of the sport as they chased down the fantasy result of a five-goal victory over the Netherlands.

England’s 8-1 win over a hapless France earlier in the day had set Paul Revington’s side that target, a score which would have secured an Olympic place to go with a first ever European semi-final berth.

With little to lose, the Irish gave it a rattle but were ultimately out-classed by a Dutch side whom Revington will hope to play more often in order to continue his side’s rapid progression.

Bob de Voogd had given the Dutch the lead inside seven minutes, compounding a ropey Irish start with stray passes and loose turnovers conceded. But a superb John Jackson 60-metre overhead unlocked the door for Magee to crack home a brilliant leveller.

McCabe then volleyed home a corner rebound, baseball-style, for 2-1 in the 22nd minute and the unlikeliest of outlooks briefly came into view. Four penalty corner strikes later from Taeke Taekema – who finished the game with 221 international goals to his name – however turned the tide, making it 6-2 to the favourites with 10 minutes to go.

It took the structure out of the game, each side with little they could change about their predicament, leading to a wonderfully open spectacle.

Ulster pair Timmy Cockram and Mikey Watt got late consolations. It leaves Ireland in the relegation pool but more upbeat than their female counterparts, carrying over three points due to their French win. A win against Russia – whom they hammered 9-3 in July – on Friday will probably be enough to retain A Division status, something they have never achieved before. Into the bargain, such a finish will lift them to a highest ever world ranking.

For the women, their battle to avoid the drop starts today against Azerbaijan.

IRELAND: D Harte, J Jackson, G McCabe, R Gormley, M Watt, E Magee, M Darling, T Cockram, D Ames, P Gleghorne, C Harte Subs: C Cargo, J Brennan, J Jermyn, A McConnell, I Sloan.

NETHERLANDS: J Stockmann, W Jolie, T Taekema, R Kempermann, T de Noiijer, B De Voogd, R Hofman, R van den Horst, V Verga, B Bakker, T Jenniskens. Subs: K Vermuelen, R Weusthof, J Hertzberger, F Evers, S De Wijn.