Ireland have finished 10th at the Men's Hockey World Cup after a high-scoring 6-3 defeat to New Zealand in Wavre, Belgium.
Mark Tumilty's side, who missed out on the knockout stages after a defeat to Spain in their final group game last week, were vying for a ninth-place classification against the Black Sticks.
But Ireland quickly found themselves 4-0 by half-time. Kane Russell's two penalty corners had New Zealand two to the good by the end of the first quarter, before George Baker and a Sam Lane penalty corner extended their lead.
Ireland showed determination in the third quarter with two goals in quick succession. The first came via a Gregory Williams penalty corner in the 37th minute before Lee Cole converted a penalty stroke less than a minute later.
However, New Zealand regained momentum at the start of the fourth quarter with another Lane penalty corner, added to by a further goal Finn Ward.
But Ireland got the last goal of the game in the dying seconds through Jeremy Duncan's penalty corner.
