By David Gold

korea mens_hockey_21-03-12March 22 - Ireland's men missed out in heartbreaking fashion in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Road to London and a place at this summer's Olympics as they were beaten 3-2 by South Korea (pictured) in Dublin.

The final of the tournament saw the hosts perform impressively for long periods of a game in which they took the lead, when Peter Caruth converted a rebound following a penalty corner.

The Koreans were always a danger and struck the post as they looked to level the scores.

The Irish defence coped well as they tried to withstand Korean pressure, but eventually Yong Nam Lee fired home.

In the second period the Irish, the world number 16 side, came out fighting and some good build up play worked a couple of openings before they eventually re-took the lead.

Again it was from a penalty corner, which was worked into the path of Timmy Cockram, who converted coolly.

They ceded the advantage once more though soon after when they gave away a penalty stroke, and Woo Hyun Nam scored to bring the scores level.

David Harte in the Irish goal was then called into action to pull off a superb save, but eventually the Korean quality showed as the world number six struck through Nam Young Lee late on, who deftly converted the winning goal.

Malaysia crushed Russia 6-1 in the third place clash, whilst Ukraine beat Chile 2-1 in the playoff for fifth.

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