Scots fall in nine goal thriller

IRELAND  6  SCOTLAND   3 
–  CELTIC CUP IN LISBURN

Scotland fell off pole position in the Celtic Cup pool
in Lisburn when they went down 6-3 to Ireland in a nine goal,
ding-dong thriller which leaves the home side favourites to take
the title if they can see off Wales tomorrow.

The Scots were behind in only 11 minutes when Conor Harte opened
from a penalty corner.   After a fairly even period, the
Scots stepped it up with a good ten minute spell in which they took
a 2-1 lead.    A cross from Alan Forsyth created
problems for the Irish defence, a resulting bobbling ball fell to
Kenny Bain and he dispatched the ball under the goalkeeper for the
equaliser.   Within two minutes the Scots went ahead,
good work by Chris Grassick and Bain won a penalty corner and Dan
Coultas obliged with a vicious low drive to the keeper`s right.

In a mad four minutes spell just before the interval the Scots
lost their shape and composure, and allowed the Irish to score
three times for a 4-2 half time lead.  John Lynch equalised
with a reverse stick shot and in as many minutes David Carson
scored twice to give the Irish a rather flattering scoreline at the
break.

Three minutes into the second half Jonny Bruton delivered the
killer blow with a goal from a penalty corner rebound.  
In 57 minutes Carson notched his hat-trick with a brilliant
deflection into the top corner of the net.   But the
Scots were not prepared to lie down, the penalty corner was won by
Fergus Dunn, Willie Marshall`s initial shot was charged down but
Gordon McIntyre followed up to bundle the ball home.  
Even with the game well lost to perhaps the best Irish side in a
few decades, the Scots did not give up and Ross Stott`s cross was
just missed by both Iain Scholefield and Ian Moodie.

Nonetheless, the Irish could have scored more than six but for a
series of brilliant saves from Scotland goalkeeper Jamie
Cachia.   If the Scots have any aspirations to secure
second spot in the Celtic Cup, they must beat South Africa in
tomorrow`s final fixture.

Meanwhile, Scotland`s under 18 side finally got the better of the
Combined British Colleges with a 3-2 in the final match at
Peffermill, the goals coming from the Glynhill Kelburne pair Ed
Greaves (2) and Lee Morton.

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