HOCKEY: Ireland 2 Azerbaijain 1:GENE MULLER'S first major tests of the controversial Central Participation Programme were passed with flying colours as Ireland recorded back-to-back 2-1 victories as the FIH Champion's Challenge I tipped off in Belfield.
Indeed, his side was without a win over a higher-ranked side since the 2009 European championships before the weekend.
Yesterday’s success over the Azeris was built on granite rather than grace, Clíodhna Sargent and Sinead McCarthy providing a defensive wall which left Emma Gray without a save to make over the 70 minutes.
It meant a whipped Audrey O’Flynn drag-flick and fellow Mount Mercy graduate Julia O’Halloran’s forehand smash were enough to put a robust and feisty opponent to bed.
In between, Myungsoon Mammadova applied an innovative touch to dig Khatira Aliyeva’s superb cross up and over Gray from close range.
Ireland fell back somewhat in the second period but the defence stood tall, something which pleased coach Muller.
“It’s never going to be pretty when you play against Azerbaijan. I’m obviously delighted with the win. They had a lot of possession but not a lot of chances so we had to be fairly dogged,” he said.
Saturday’s win over India – four places their senior in the rankings – was one more for the stylists as India’s open style allowed Ireland a measure of freedom they scarcely enjoy against European sides.
Teenager Chloe Watkins revelled in a virtuoso show. She rolled home the winner after Áine Connery’s brilliant legwork from halfway, calling on all her camogie experience, burned three trackers.
Nikki Symmons batted home the first from a corner rebound, while India grabbed a late consolation but could not prevent Ireland earning revenge for a 6-0 loss to the same opposition in 2010.
Ireland are back in action tomorrow, with a point guaranteeing top spot in Group B.
IRELAND: E Gray, M Harvey, C Sargent, E Smyth, E Clarke, A Speers, S McCay, J O’Halloran, S McCarthy, N Symmons, N Daly. Subs: L Jacob, A Connery, L Colvin, A O’Flynn, C Watkins.
AZERBAIJAN: V Shahbazova, E Muzaffarova, E Jhoi, Y Vang, Y-S Kim, J Huseynova, M Mammadova, C Shukurova, Z Suleymanova, B Kim, Z Mammadova Subs: K Aliyeva, Y Gurubanova, S Pilipenko, N Safayeva, S Nuriyeva.
Ireland’s men retain Celtic Cup with ease
IRELAND RETAINED the Celtic Cup in Cardiff yesterday afternoon with a comfortable 4-0 victory over the Welsh hosts, making it 11 goals in two games for a supposedly under-strength Irish side.
Peter Blakeney’s quadruple inspired Ireland to a 7-1 win on Saturday against France, moving Ireland to the edge of the title. Indeed, they could afford to lose their final game and still take the title but the 4-0 win meant they had plenty to spare.
On a memorable weekend for Monkstown, Kyle Good broke the deadlock with his first international goal, a day after making his debut.
Club mate Gareth Watkins was captaining the side for the first time, the first Town man to do so since W Peterson in 1904, while Richard Sykes, in his third cap on Saturday, also broke his international duck.
David Ames’ second half double and a late effort from Peter Caruth – his third in three games – completed the Welsh victory.
Men’s Celtic Cup: Ireland 4 (David Ames 2, Kyle Good, Peter Caruth) Wales 0; Scotland 6 (Michael Christie 2, Fergus Dunn, Chris Grassick, Alan Forsyth, Michael Bremner) France 4 (Simon Martin 2, Victor Condime, Yannick Schambaert).
Final standings : 1 Ireland 9pts (+11); 2 Scotland 6pts (+2); 3 Wales 3pts (-4); 4 France 0pts (-9)
