Hook Hockey

Ireland draw once more with top five side

Il Trofeo Internacional – men’s senior international
Ireland 1(Ian Sloan) Spain 1 (Edi Tubau)
Ireland began their second warm-weather training camp with a third successive draw against a side in the world’s top five as they dug in defensively to give up few chances against Spain in Valencia.

It was the first fully capped game Paul Revington’s side have played in 2012, meaning Johnny Bell made his debut as one of three Lisnagarvey men who started on the bench.

They saw the side take a ninth minute lead when Eugene Magee cross from the left wing came invitingly to Ian Sloan to tap in from a couple of inches out at the back post – his first international goal.

Ireland’s advantage last until the 23rd minute when superstar Edi Tubau was left with room to manouvere on the edge of the circle and he cracked in a wonderful shot to the top corner past David Harte.

Harte saved brilliantly three minutes later but Ireland were solid from there on and almost nicked the result in the closing stages when Peter Caruth had two bites saved from mid-circle. Belgium will be played three times in the next few days in Valencia before meeting Spain for a second time next Monday.

Ireland: David Harte, David Ames, Chris Cargo, Mitch Darling, Paul Gleghorne, John Jackson, Stuart Loughrey, Eugene Magee, Michael Watt, Ian Sloan, Conor Harte
Subs: Johnny Bell, Peter Caruth, Tim Cockram, Jason Lynch, Bruce McCandless

Fixture schedule (all in Valencia):
February 8: Ireland v Belgium, 12pm
February 9: Ireland v Belgium, 12pm
February 12: Ireland v Belgium, 4pm
February 13: Ireland v Spain, 12pm