Ireland suffer agonising shooutout defeat to Wales at EuroHockey II Final
Having led early thanks to a smart Jeremy Duncan finish, Wales managed to tie the game up and keep Ireland on level terms to force a penalty shootout. Welsh keeper Toby Reynolds-Cotterill proved the hero, denying Ireland on three occasions to help Wales to a 3-1 shootout win. Despite the result, Ireland still secure promotion to the EuroHockey Championship in 2027 and book their place at the 2026 FIH World Cup Qualifiers.
A bright start from Wales saw them win the first penalty corner of the match which they put wide of the post. Ireland gained control soon after, enjoying periods of pressure and eventually winning a penalty corner of their own in the fifth minutes, but Lee Cole's effort was blocked.
Ireland's pressure continued through the first quarter as they found ways into the Welsh circle. Tim Cross drove along the baseline in the 14th minute and found Jeremy Duncan whose clever flick on his reverse found the side netting to open the scoring for Ireland.
Sean Murray continued Ireland's attacking exploits in the final minute of the quarter, drawing a stick tackle inside the circle to win a penalty corner. The Gantoise midfielder opted to strike direct at goal from the set piece but was denied by Welsh keeper Toby Reynolds-Cotterill.
Wales, however, started the second quarter well. A green card for Fergus Gibson gave Wales a player advantage to stretch Ireland, which they used equalise through Jack Pritchard. Ireland almost responded immediately through Jeremy Duncan, but his close-range shot was saved by Reynolds-Cotterill.
A late penalty corner for Wales gave them a chance to go ahead with two minutes remaining in the first half-time, but Ireland's Louis Rowe defended well to keep Ireland level.
Ireland won a penalty corner of their own in the final minute, but Lee Cole's effort went just wide of the post. The sides went into the break locked at 1 – 1.
Ireland used their press to good effect early in the second half to disrupt Wales. Sean Murray won the ball on the right flank from the press and found Matthew Nelson in the circle, but Nelson's shot on goal went just over the bar.
Peter Brown almost gave Ireland the lead just before the end of Q3 but was denied by Reynolds-Cotterill following a quick counterattack from Louis Rowe and Ben Nelson. A chance for Jonny Lynch fell soon after, but he couldn't quite make a clean connection with the ball, so his effort was easily saved, seeing the sides finish quarter three still on level terms.
Ireland made a bright start to the final quarter almost regaining the lead in the first three minutes when Sean Murray played a dangerous ball into the circle which was deflected just wide. Matthew Nelson flashed a ball past the back post a few minutes later but nobody was positioned to redirect the ball goalward.
Neither side could find a winner in the minutes that remained, with the final set to be decided by a Shootout.
It wasn't to be for Ireland in the shootout, as Wales walked away as 3-1 victors to win the EuroHockey Championship II.
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