Ireland men 3 (Gareth Watkins 2, Brian Doherty) Scotland 3 (Mark Ralph 2, Gavin Byers)
Paul Revington's novices retained the Celtic Cup in Edinburgh this afternoon, keeping the Scottish hosts at bay after Gareth Watkins had ensured a dream start with two goals inside six minutes.
Scotland fought back to make it 2-1 by the interval courtesy of Holland-based corner expert Mark Ralph and they tied the game up when Chris Grassick played in Gavin Byers to tap home.
But this Irish group have shown steely resolve all tournament and retook the lead barely a minute later, Brian Doherty (pictured) getting his third of the tournament, dragging past GB number one Ali McGregor.
Ralph notched his second of the game while Iain Walker pulled off a series of top saves. Gavin Byers almost nicked the win in the 70th minute but his lob of the YM man, landed on the roof of the net.
Emily Maguire started the rout in the sixth minute from a penalty corner before Emma Rochlin scored from the penalty spot to leave Ireland reeling. Julie Bryce and Aimee Clark both scored from play to make it 4-0 at the break.
Katherine Steenson got her second goal in two games for the greens but it proved academic as British Olympian Laura Bartlett, a virtuoso effort from Vicki Bunce and Maguire's second corner strike comfortably wrapped up the title for Scotland who lay in third at the start of the day. The door opened in their favour when Wales drew with the table's bottom-feeders, France, 2-2.
9 comments:
I think the Irish coach should have left more places open on his Senior squad because by the sounds of it there are quite a few players who should be getting a look in after that Celtic Cup display.
10.47
Yes, these lads did super in retaining the celtic cup for such a young inexperienced group, and when John Jackson, Iain Walker and one other join the senior squad for the Champions challenge in Dublin next week, they will have an impact i'm sure, but to imply that any of the lads that were selected for the Champions challenge don't warrant their places ahead of the celtic cup group is nonsense, who could he have left out in order to open up more places for the challenge event?I think you'll find it hard to name any
By the looks of the opposition's squads, seems they had a reasonable amount of experience on show compared to Ireland.
One swallow, though... Think Revington has the right current squad at the moment for Champs Challenge. Europeans, though, could see a couple of changes if this continues.
Watkins did himself no harm to try and nab that last spot from either Caruth or Watt.
In my view I thought Andrew Herbert was one of Irelands best players at the Celtic cup
i was over watching and tbh i think Dogherty and Ames were outstanding!!
who where the stand out players for ireland?? anyone who was over there!!!
fair play lads
nobody asked who the stand out players were!!
the problem with this ireland so called b team is that everyone stepped up. so to name the stand out players would be an injustice.
The women, regardless of it being an 'A' squad should never be losing by six goals to Scotland.
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