SENIOR CELTIC CUP - MEN
Edinburgh (SCO), 26-28 June 2009
Nations:
France
Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Day 1: Friday 26th June 2009
Wales started the game with plenty of confidence and moved the ball with good intensity and created early opportunities to score but failed. However they took the lead in the 22' with Ben Croxall scoring his first goal, after some slick passing in midfield between Lewis Prosser, Rhys Joyce and Joe Naughalty who made the final pass for Croxall to score.
The second half saw the Scots come out the better side with Wales making mistakes. After conceding a number of short corners Wales were eventually punished with a well taken corner shot that beat George Harris in goal. The game then opened up with free passing from both sides and Wales were unlucky not to regain the lead after some deflections that were well saved by Ali Mcgregor in the Scottish goal.
| 14.00 | Ireland | 3 | France | 1 |
| 18.00 | Scotland | 1 | Wales | 1 |
Day 2: Saturday 27th June 2009
Wales dominated the game from the start and scored after 6' from a Rick Gay short corner flick. Wales continued to pressure the Irish and created good chances but could not capitalise. In the 28' Ireland converted their first short corner to equalise.
In the second half again Wales dominated play and Gay scored his second goal via a penalty corner in the 40'. The last 12 mins is where Wales lost the game with Gay getting a yellow card after 57' followed by a red 10' later after 2 similar offences. Ireland scored a short corner in the 68' and then won the game with another conversion in the 70'. A hard defeat to take considering the effort made and dominance achieved for long periods of the game and Wales will have to regroup for their final game on Sunday.
| 12.00 | Wales | 2 | Ireland | 3 |
| 16.00 | Scotland | 3 | France | 2 |
Day 3: Sunday 28th June 2009
Wales played a French side that had not won a game so far in the tournament. Wales started the game in a positive manner as all their previous games and created two good chances in the first 10 mins but could not convert into goals. In the 16' France were awarded a penalty stroke from a short corner which was converted to take the lead. Wales kept creating but today the scoring touch was not there.
The second half was much the same and France doubled their lead from a short corner. Wales kept the pressure up and missed a penalty flick and hit the post from a flowing move but in the 49' scored from another fast flowing interchange by Ben Croxall to Huw Jones to Joe Naughalty who hit a fierce shot past the French goalkeeper. Wales kept creating short corners but for once their routine could not convert, until the 63' when Rufus MacNaught-Barrington scored his first goal from a short corner to level the score. France then scored in the 66' to take the lead after a disputed goal.
Overall a disappointing three days in which Wales created good scoring chances but could not deliver. On a positive note Wales played good flowing hockey, created good scoring opportunities and also created short corners. However Wales also made mistakes that the opposition punished by converting into goals. Wales now have to apply the finishing touches before the Europeans.
| 12.00 | France | 3 | Wales | 2 |
| 16.00 | Scotland | 3 | Ireland | 3 |
Final Positions
1st: Ireland 7pts
2nd: Scotland 5pts
3rd: France 3pts
4th: Wales 1pt
Note: The Match Schedule is subject to amendment at the discretion of EHF or the Tournament Director.
