SENIOR CELTIC CUP - MEN
Cork (IRE), 4th - 6th July 2008
Day 1: Friday 4th July 2008
| 14:00 | Scotland | 1 | Wales | 3 |
| 20:00 | Ireland | 5 | France | 0 |
The opening men's game of the 2008 Celtic Cup (which was also the 100th official match between Scotland and Wales) was played in increasingly difficult conditions with wind and rain making the opportunities for free flowing hockey limited. After a somewhat nervy start, with an inexperienced welsh team showing a slight lack of composure, the team were quick to get into their stride and start to dominate an aggressive Scottish team. After several significant passages of possession, a great lead and turn in the circle by David Griffiths lead to the first penalty corner. The self assured Rick Gay, one of 9 new caps in the Welsh team, stepped up and wrong footed the Scottish keeper with a low dragflick. A second corner quickly followed, to which the Scottish keeper made a great save to prevent another Gay goal. The remainder of the first half was dominated by sound defensive structures from both teams with few scoring opportunities for either team. James Hughes and Ben Croaxall, two more debutants, produced solid performances at the back, helping to snub out any Scottish attacks quickly.
After some key reminders at half time from the new coaching team of Zak Jones and Tyrone Moore, Wales started the second half with much more composure and improved ball retention. Unfortunately after a series of poor Welsh tackles, Andy Cornick received the first yellow card for breaking down play, 5 minutes into the second half. This broke the team's stride until the Scottish retaliated with a couple of naive tackles to lead to two yellow cards for themselves. This enabled the team to start dominating possession and leave more space for the attacking welsh midfield of Huw Jones, Andy Cornick and Ben Rogers to start picking holes in the Scottish defence. This lead to a third corner of the game, which Gay duly dispatched with a 'slower delivery' into the top right corner. The Scots responded however and rallied with a goal from a well worked free hit outside the circle to get back into the game. This rally didn't last long however as some bright attacking play from Joe Naughalty lead to a fourth corner. Again Rick Gay dispatched it to put the Welsh into a comfortable 3-1 lead. The Scots pressed hard to get back into the game but further poor discipline lead to a red card for one of their forwards, leading to several opportunities in the last 5 minutes for Wales to extend their lead.
A pleasing start to the Welsh campaign, especially so with so many new caps in the side. The team are looking forward to their second game against the French on Saturday.
Day 2: Saturday 5th July 2008
| 13:00 | France | 5 | Wales | 4 |
| 17:00 | Ireland | 2 | Scotland | 2 |
An upbeat Welsh side took on France in their second game of the tournament in much better weather conditions than the previous days encounter. After a slow start Wales found themselves two goals behind and struggling to get into the game. However, Andy Cornick's cross took a fortunate deflection and Wales found a life line. The young Welsh team continued to put the pressure on the French and despite creating further opportunities failed to convert. It was however, France who finished the 1st half in the ascendency, after Matthieu Durchon weaved along the baseline and finished well from close range.
The opening exchanges of the second half lead to Wales pulling a goal back through a well worked penalty corner which Rick Gay finished in style. Taking the tally of Gay goals to four. The French responded with a low Penalty Corner strike from Yannick Schambert to restore their two goal cushion.
Wales showed character and responded immediately, Huw Jones found himself open on the top left of the circle and fired a powerful reverse shot into the roof of the net. Wales pressed on once again and were awarded a penalty corner, after a French defender was struck on the foot, inside the D from a Gay slap. James Hughes stepped up and slammed the ball low right passed the hapless French defence and celebrated his maiden international goal in style.
With the game now on level terms, both teams had good opportunities to put themselves ahead in a game that swept from one end of the pitch to another, with both teams searching for the winning goal as the game drew to a close. It was Wales who looked to finish the game stronger and with the French fading away, fashioned out some excellent, but squandered, goal scoring chances which would prove costly. After a dynamic and penetrating run into the French 23, Ben Rogers was cynically impeded, which led the Irish official to play a dubious advantage from which Wales gained nothing and under duress Rogers vented his frustrations upon his French opponent and found himself sin binned for the closing moments of the game.
Now with the numerical supremacy the French seized the initiative and in the dying embers of the game three French players found themselves unmarked in the D and when the ball found its way to them there was only one outcome. A low drilled strike, which gave the Welsh goalkeeper no chance, stole the win for the French as Wales did not even have time to mount an offensive play before the final hooter rang out.
After regrouping Wales will take encouraging heart from the performance and learn from mistakes made, hoping to minimize errors and capitalise on good offensive positions. Wales face Ireland in their final game of the tournament on Sunday and will look to make right the wrongs of the French performance.
Day 3: Sunday 6th July 2008
| 11:30 | France | 0 | Scotland | 1 |
| 15:30 | Wales | 1 | Ireland | 3 |
A must win game for Wales to retain the Celtic Cup. The start was delayed due the rain and thus making the pitch heavy to play in. Wales started the game with purpose and created chances but were unable to convert. Ireland with a rare attack into the circle in the 16th minute took the lead when Mitch Darling scored. Half time 1-0 to Ireland.
2nd half Wales started the game again in a positive manner, and forced the Irish team into making mistakes. In the 57th minute Matt Ruxton equalised with a good shot past the keeper. The game continued to be a fast physical game with Huw Jones and an Irish defender getting yellow carded. With 7 mins to go Irelands Mitch Darling scored his second goal and at this point Wales lost their young defender James Hughes through an injury. The long delay seemed to demoralise the Wales team who in the dying minutes conceded a third, Tim Cockram converting a short corner.
Final Positions
1st: Ireland
2nd: Scotland
3rd: Wales
4th: France
