The Irish men opened their Celtic cup campaign against holders Scotland today in Wrexham with a 3-1 victory.
Ireland started off on the attack and Phelie Maguire should have opened the scoring in the second minute of play but failed to get sufficient forward momentum on his shot to find the back of the Scottish net.
Ireland continued to dominate in the first half and they were rewarded with a penalty corner but Butler’s drag flick was well saved.
In the 25th minute Ireland finally opened their account with a great run from Maguire. He eluded several tackles and found Gleghorne who picked out Eugene Magee to slot home Ireland’s first goal.
The Irish doubled their advantage when Scotland were down to ten men; allowing skipper Patrick Brown to advance down the pitch and find Irwin in the circle who forced the ball home despite close attention of Scottish defenders.
The second half was a more even contest and in the 46th minute Scotland took advantage of some sloppy Irish defending and Dave Mitchell scored from close range to put the holders right back in the contest at 2-1.
In the 55th minute Ireland created a gilt edged chance but Mitch Darling failed to convert and as Scotland countered and won a penalty corner it looked like they were going to make Ireland pay, however, Keeper Gareth Lennox saved well and the rebound went wide.
Ireland wrapped the game up on the 62nd minute when Tim Cockram was fortunate to find a Welsh foot and up stepped Steve Butler to score and put the result beyond any doubt at three goals to one.
Ireland Women also played Scotland in the opening game of their Celtic Cup campaign on Saturday, losing 4-1.
Ireland were on the back foot from the moment the whistle blow in their opening tie.
Just one minute in Nicky Kidd opened Scotland’s account with their
first penalty corner, a direct strike from the top.
Ireland were slow to get into the game as the match turned into something of a midfield battle.
Scotland were awarded their second penalty corner in the 17th minute but a good save from Healy kept the Scots a bay.
Ireland then stepped up their game and focused on attacking.
Mulligan had a great chance in the eighteenth minute when she goton the end of a circle cross which she deflected just wide.
Cregan and McKean also looked keen to get in on the action when theylinked-up well to penetrate into the circle but the goal continuedto elude Ireland.
Ireland won their first penalty corner in the 29th minute
but good defence by the Scots meant they kept a clean goal.
Only four minutes later, great play from O’Brien saw Ireland almost score from their second penalty corner chance, however, a low drag-flick from Nikki Symmons was denied by the Scottish keeper.
Ireland looked set to equalise a minute before time when Cregan beat the keeper but she couldn’t find the goal giving the Scots a 1-0 lead at half time.
History then repeated itself when one minute into the second half
the Scottish doubled their lead from an open-field goal from Holly
Cram which caught Ireland by surprise.
Scotland scored again in the twelfth minute when Keeper Healy made a great one on one save but the rebound fell kindly to Holly Cram to put her country three goals ahead.
Ireland were not without their chances with both Cregan and McKean having good scoring opportunities but the finishing touch just wasn’t with Ireland today.
Ireland got a late consolation goal in the 31st minute when Rachel Mulligan was awarded a penalty stroke which Symmons converted.
Ireland were then keen to attack and won themselves another penalty corner, but the ball broke loose and a counter attack saw the Scottish score their fourth and final goal through Nicky Kidd to seal the victory.
Ireland will no doubt be disappointed with their performance today but what matters is how they regroup and face the French tomorrow and the Welsh on Monday.
Head coach Gene Muller commented after the game: ‘We didn’t play very well and the scoreline suggests that.
‘I wasn’t overly happy, we started off conceding too much time and space and conceding a goal in the first minute of the two halves, we were on the back foot today and didn’t have the ability to turn it around.
‘We will regroup and focus on tomorrow’s game.’
Ireland will play France tomorrow at 10am and hosts Wales on Monday at 2pm.
