Ireland 2 Canada 0

Goals from Shane O'Donoghue and Chris Cargo saw Ireland'smen begin Olympic year with a 2-0 win over Rio rivals Canada in theirfirst of eight challenge matches.

Both goals came in the secondquarter.

O’Donoghue – nominated for the world’s Rising Star of the Year award – slammed home a brilliant reverse-stick effort.

Chris Cargo added the second goal in similar fashion with apowerful shot on his backhand that picked out the top corner.

It was just reward for a largely controlled victory over the Red Caribous, a side that Ireland will meet in the group stages of the Olympics in August.

The match is part of an intensive warm-weather training camp in Cape Town where Ireland will play eight matches in quick succession.

They face Canada againtomorrow before meeting Spain on Sunday and South Africa on Monday.

Two more ties follow against Canada before Ireland playBelgium the following weekend.

Coach Craig Fulton has brought 26 players with him to SouthAfrica for this series with David Harte the one big name missing.

Thegoalkeeper begins his contract with Dabang Mumbai in the Hockey India Leaguenext Monday.

Neal Glassey is the one addition to the squad named for this trip in December, a roster from which the Olympic panel is more than likely tobe selected from.