Irish deny Scots in Champions Challenge opener

2nd July 2011

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A late spirited fightback by Scotland almost rescued a point in the
opening pool match of the Champions Challenge in Lille, but the
Irish just managed to hold to their 3-2 lead at the end.

The Scots were under the cosh right from the start and keeper Mark
Fulton made three early saves to prevent an early opener.
Scotland`s first chance came in 13 minutes with the award of
a penalty corner but Dan Coultas` effort went wide of the target.
With the Irish calling all the shots, it was hardly
surprising they took the lead through Alan Giles. Within
three minutes they were two up, Michael Watt intercepted a pass out
of defence and his pass on allowed William McCabe to score the
second.

The Scots should have had one back when Alan Forsyth fed the ball
to Gareth Hall but the Glynhill Kelburne player took too long and
the chance evaporated. In the final minute Gavin Byers had a
chance but his effort was charged down by the keeper who then
cleared the danger.

When Conor Harte converted a set piece for Ireland`s third goal
only minutes into the second half, it looked all over for the Scots
as the game seemed to be petering out for a comfortable Irish
victory. With 12 minutes left the Scots won their second
penalty corner and Byers slipped home the rebound after the
goalkeeper had saved the initial shot from Coultas. Two
minutes later the Irish were reeling when Fergus Dunn`s hard cross
was brilliantly deflected past the keeper by Alan Forsyth.

In a nervy last ten minutes Gareth Hall and two Irish players found
themselves in the sin bin, but the Irish managed to hold on for the
three points.

“The Irish were definitely the better team in the first half, but
we put them under more pressure after the interval and then pulled
the score back to 3-2, they looked distinctly shaky,” said Eugene
Connolly, Scotland`s manager.

A late spirited fightback by Scotland almost rescued a
point in the opening pool match of the FIH Champions Challenge II
in Lille against Ireland with the Irish just managing to hold to
their 3-2 lead at the end.

The Scots were under pressure right from the start and keeper
Mark Fulton made three early saves to prevent an early opener.
Scotland`s first chance came in 13 minutes with the award of
a penalty corner but Dan Coultas` effort went wide of the
target.

With the Irish calling all the shots, it was hardly surprising
they took the lead through Alan Giles, and within three minutes
they were two up. Michael Watt intercepted a pass out of defence
and his pass on allowed William McCabe to score the second.

Scotland should have had one back when Alan Forsyth fed the ball
to Gareth Hall but the Glynhill hotel Kelburne was denied the
opportunity. In the final minute of the first half, Gavin
Byers had a chance but his effort was charged down by the keeper
who then cleared the danger.

However, with 12 minutes left, Scotland won their second penalty
corner and Byers slipped home the rebound after the goalkeeper had
saved the initial shot from Coultas. Two minutes later the
Irish were reeling when Fergus Dunn`s hard cross was brilliantly
deflected past the keeper by Alan Forsyth.

In a nervy last ten minutes Gareth Hall and two Irish players
found themselves in the sin bin, but the Irish managed to hold on
for the three points.

“The Irish were definitely the better team in the first half,
but we put them under more pressure after the interval and then
pulled the score back to 3-2, they looked distinctly shaky,” said
Eugene Connolly, Scotland`s manager.

Scotland will now face Russia tomorrow afternoon in their second
pool match. For more information please visit the FIH Champions Challenge II website.

Irish deny Scots in Champions Challenge opener

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