Ireland through to final of EuroHockey Championship II after confident win over Scotland

Irish Independent

6 days ago

A Lee Cole dragflick set Ireland on their way before a Louis Rowe brace put daylight between the team in green and Scotland.
The win sees Ireland progress to tomorrow's EuroHockey Championship II final against Wales, as they look to retain their 2023 title, while also guaranteeing them promotion to the EuroHockey Championships in 2027 and a place at the 2026 FIH World Cup qualifiers.
A strong start from Ireland saw them challenge the Scottish defence early in the game, Matthew Nelson testing Scottish goalkeeper Calum Douglas early, with a penalty corner eventually materialising from the rebound that followed.
Ireland's first effort resulted in a re-award, with Lee Cole finding the net with a dragflick on his 149th appearance to give Ireland an early lead.
Ireland's pressure continued, with Matthew Nelson winning another penalty corner for Ireland which Scotland ran down well.
Ireland almost doubled their lead in the closing minutes of the first quarter when Louis Rowe got on the end of an excellent run and delivery from Jonny Lynch, but his shot was just wide of the post.
A shift in the press from Scotland in the second quarter saw them enjoy more possession and apply more pressure, eventually winning them a penalty corner after 23 minutes. Jaime Carr was, however, on hand to palm away the attempt on goal that resulted to maintain Ireland's lead.
Ireland continued to absorb Scottish pressure late into the first-half, with Carr called into action in the final seconds as Ireland maintained their lead.
Ireland dominated possession in the opening five minutes of the second half, but efforts to find a second goal proved elusive. Ireland manufactured their past chance of the third quarter when Louis Rowe won a penalty corner, deflecting the ball onto a Scottish foot following a good delivery from the baseline by Fergus Gibson.
Rowe was the option from the penalty corner; his initial effort was blocked by the Scottish runner, but the Banbridge forward was alive to the free ball and slapped it calmly past Douglas to give Ireland a 2-0 lead.
Momentum now with them in the final minutes of the third quarter, Ireland attacked with purpose down the right. Jonny Lynch beat his opposite number well to make his way to the baseline and find Adam McAllister whose effort on goal was deflected over the Scottish keeper and into the net to extend Ireland's lead to three at the end of the third quarter.
Scotland, however, were not down and out. An early goal a minute into the final quarter from Robert Field kept their hopes of a comeback alive.
Ireland quickly quelled the Scottish momentum, pinning their opposition back and eventually winning a penalty corner for a strong tackle on Jeremy Duncan on the edge of the circle. Lee Cole's effort from the corner went just wide of the right post.
Ireland ran down the clock well to hold onto their 3-1 win.
Speaking after the game, head coach Mark Tumilty said: 'The goals this week were to get back to the EuroHockey Championships and make the World Cup qualifiers. Now we have one more since we have made the final – to go out and win it.'
Speaking ahead of tomorrow's final against Wales, Tumilty said: 'The main targets have been achieved, but a win in tomorrow's final against Wales matters not only in terms of winning a trophy, but in protecting ranking points. It could be vital in future tournaments if we reach knock out stages, for example.'
Discussing the importance of promotion back to the EuroHockey Championships, Tumilty said: 'We haven't played in the top division since 2019. Most of the current players have never played at that level.
'First we work towards the World Cup qualifiers next year. We have a lot of work to do ahead of those qualifiers.'
Ireland now face Wales in the EuroHockey Championship II decider on Saturday (4pm Irish time) and the game will be available to watch live on EuroHockey TV.