SENIOR CELTIC CUP – MEN
NHC, Cardiff (WAL), 17-19 June 2011
France
Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Day 1: Friday 17 June 2011
In the opening fixture of this seasons Celtic Cup Ireland overcame Scotland with two goals in the last 7'.
Both both sides spent the first 10' seeking out their opponents weaknesses and it was Scotland who came close with a narrowly angled shot which was comfortably dealt with by the Irish 'keeper. The first penalty corner of the match went to Ireland with a drag flick to the keepers right after 20' which was gloved away to safety, as was the another corner some 6' later. With a yellow card being awarded to Scotland's Russell Anderson on the stroke of halftime it was his own team that took the lead after 49' through Kenny Bain. This seemed to spur Ireland into live and they gradually started to match the Scots, tackle for tackle. The pressure paid off when Andrew Mcconnell scored from a goalmouth scramble to pull his side level. Ireland continued to seek the outright victory and with just 7 seconds remaining McConnell scored his second to delight the travelling supporters.
In the later match, Wales faced France and were determined to do well against a team ranked higher in the FIH rankings.
The hosts started strongly and their quick accurate passing put the French under early pressure. with 9' gone Ben Edge made an immediate impact when he came on as a substitute and scored with his first touch of the game. Joe Naughalty came close a few minutes later but shot narrowly over the bar. With the players calls being somewhat drowned out by the music from the neighbouring cricket stadium France seemed to have difficulty in putting together any sustained attacks before the break. Wales faced an early penalty corner but the French routine let them down. the next penalty corner was as equally ineffective with Jon Gordon steering the ball to safety. A quick break down the right hand side however saw Welsh keeper Iwan Williams saving well but could only steer the ball into the path of Jean-David Koch who slotted the ball home fom a matter of inches. A French penalty corner forced a good save from Williams but Chris Bowen sustained a leg injury leaving out of the remainder of the game. Wales came straight back and forced their own penalty corner with 5' remaining but it was deflected wide. Another penalty corner followed almost immediately and this time Mike Shaw flicked high into the net to restore the home sides lead. Try as they might France could not recover from the late setback to leave Wales and Ireland as joint leaders in the competition.
| 16:00 | Scotland | 1 | Ireland | 2 |
| 18:15 | France | 1 | Wales | 2 |
Day 2: Saturday 18 June 2011
After their last minute victory yesterday, Ireland rocked France within the first minute with Peter Caruth converting at the far post after a goalmouth melee. Not happy wtih just the one goal lead, Peter Blakeney scored their second after a huge deflection took the ball over the head of the French 'keeper just two minutes later. France seemed to recover from this disappointing start and started to dictate play in their oppostion half although could not get the final shot away. Ireland however came straight back and a hard pass into the circle popped up of the 'keeper for Blakeney to score his second and Ireland's third after 13'. Two Irish penalty corners in quick succession brought further success after 19' with Richard Sykes coverting the second to give his team a commanding lead. A long ball into open space nearly caught the French defenders out but the 'kepper came out well to nullify the attack. France won a penalty corner just before the break but the shot went wide of the post to leave them looking at a 0-4 halftime deficit.
As in the first half Ireland were straight on the attack after the restart and scored their 5th and 6th goals, both through Blakeney within 3 minutes, the second from a penalty corner. France had no answer to the sustained attacks and conceded again when Gareth Watkins slotted home after 44'. France got their opening goal 4' later when Jean-David Koch struck home a penalty corner. The game was disrupted by a number of green and yellow cards although Ireland came close to increasing their commanding lead with three shots in as many seconds failing to beat the French 'keeper. With no further scoring Ireland ran out victors 7-1 in what must be one of their highest wins against France for a considerable time.
Wales faced Scotland in the second match, eager to capitalise on yesterdays victory. A defensive lapse after just 4' however allowed Kenny Bain a free run on Welsh 'keeper Iwan Williams who he rounded and struck home to give the Scots the perfect start. Wales came very close to pulling level just 3' later when a shot from a Welsh penalty corner was deflected onto the bar and away to safety. Both teams now started to press their opposition with few clear cut chances being created. Unfortutly another further defensive error allowed Scotland to force a penalty corner after 24' which was finished well by Aam MacKenzie. Wales countered with their own penalty corner just 2' later and a fierce shot from Mike Shaw was well blocked by Mark Fulton in the the Scottish goal. Wales pulled a goal back after 28' when Andy Cornick's attempted cross from inside the circle was deflected into the Scottish goal past 'keeper Fulton. A bad tackle outside the circle was nearly punished with an equaliser but for once, the Welsh routine let them down.
At half time a presentation was made to longstanding WHU member Roger Harris who became the first recipient of the Anne Ellis award which recognise outstanding contributions to Welsh hockey.
A fine run down the right flank by Lewis Prosser after 39' followed by a quick passing interchange allowed Prosser a shot on goal which went narrowly wide. As in the first half both teams contered each other until Wales went further behind after 53' when Dan Coultas converted a penaklty corner with a drag flick high into the roof of the net. Despite coming close Wales could not claw their way back into the game to leave Scotland running out winners by 3-1.
| 14:00 | Ireland | 7 | France | 1 |
| 16:15 | Wales | 1 | Scotland | 3 |
Day 3: Sunday 19 June 2011
Day 3 starts with France looking to avoid the wooden spoon and Scptland still in with a chance of winning the tournament. Both sides started in probing the opposition defences with a number of circle penetrations each but no direct shots to trouble the 'keepers. After 17' a fierce drive from outside the circle saw the 'keeper needlessly palmimg the ball back to a Scottish foward who shot narrowly wide. Scotland won their first penalty corner a few minutes later but Dan Coultas dragged his flick wide. The game swung Scotland's way after 21' when a strong run down the French right from Michael Christie saw him draw the 'keeper before slipping the ball to Michael Bremner for him to strike the ball home for his first senior international goal. The goal seemed to sting France into action and the next passage of play was all theirs with the Scots being forced onto the defensive. However, two penalty corners came and went for France with no shot ending on target. In the 34' the presure eventuslly told when Simon Martin slipped the ball home from close range following an intricate passing move to leave the game level at halftime.
The second half started much the same as the first although the stalemate was soon broken when Martin scored his second from the top of the circle with a fine shot to put the French ahead. The lead was doubled just a minute later with Victor Condemine striking home. Trying to get back into the match Scotland earned their own penalty corner but Coultas' flick was palmed away. A dour midfield tussle ensued until Michael Christie bagged a brace of goals after 56' and 57', the first from a penalty corner. France were reduced to 10 men for 5' for not retreating sufficiently but still pushed forward, looking to regain the lead. Scotland however had other thoughts and a fierce cross from the right wing was deflected over the 'keeper and into the net by Alan Forsyth after 64'. The lead was doubled when Chris Grassick touched home a penalty corner flick with just 4' left although France did claw one back in the last minute when Yannick Schambert flicked high into the net. Not to be outdone Scotland scored their 6th with 2 seconds left on the clock when Fergus Dunn struck home to give his team a deserved victory.
Wales played Ireland in the final match of the tournament with both teams plus Scotland still in with a chance of winning the trophy. Having faced each other three times over the previous weekend the teams knew each other well and it was Ireland who forced two penalty corners in the first 10' with goalline clearances saving the day for the hosts. Ireland dictated the early play but Wales were soon matching them in what was a hard fough match. Wales needed a substantial win to claim the trophy but their cause was not helped when Kyle Good deflected the ball home just inside the near post after 27' to give the Irish the lead.
With no further score before halftime Wales were looking for a confident start to the second half. Unfortunately it was Ireland who started stronger with David Ames increasing their lead with a reverse stick shot in the 36'. Ames put the Irish further ahead after a mazy run down the right byeline found him on hand to slip the ball home after it rebounded off David Kettle in the Welsh goal. Wales now had into a period of possession which resulted in a penalty corner for not retreating from a free hit. Unfortunately the corner was misshit and Ireland maintained their three goal advantage. With 10' left Wales were still pushing for their first goal but the Irish defence held firm. In pushing forward Wales left gaps in their own back line and this was punished by Peter Caruth who scored from close range on 63'. With no further score Ireland successfully defended the trophy they won last year.
| 11:00 | France | 4 | Scotland | 6 |
| 13:15 | Wales | 0 | Ireland | 4 |
Final positions
1st: Ireland (9 pts)
2nd: Scotland (6 pts)
3rd: Wales (3 pts)
4th: France (0 pts)
