Hook Hockey

Bell and Kidd toll for Irish Celtic Cup hopes

Women’s Celtic Cup: Ireland 1 (C Watkins) Scotland 2 (A Bell, A Wylie)
In front of a dismal crowd, the Irish women’s Celtic Cup hoodoo looks set to continue as they were undone at the Comber Road by reigning champions Scotland.

Midway through the first half, the outdoor spectators numbered just 38 while the majority in the clubhouse were predominantly Scottish men and U-18 girls in post and pre-match phases.

They witnessed an aesthetically robust and rugged tie but chances were plentiful despite the mixed quality on show a result which means anything other than a Welsh win over the Scots on Saturday will eliminate Ireland.

Alison Bell’s deflected effort and a sweet Ailsa Wylie sweep-shot from Scotland’s only penalty corner 16 minutes from time did the damage for a Scottish side ranked four places lower in the world list

Chloe Watkins batted in a lifeline with nine minutes to go after Aine Connery – Ireland’s top performer – beat three players and looped her shot to the back post.

Scotland, despite being without their four GB panelists, finished the stronger and now are odds on to retain the Celtic title.

Early on, rhythm was at a premium with the openings created by mistakes rather than ingenuity. Holly Cram should have done better when intercepting a miscued Audrey O’Flynn pass on the flick spot but dithered, allowing Emma Gray to clear to the edge where Catriona Ralph thumped down her throat.

Alex Speers was incredibly denied soon after when she saw her effort from Nikki Symmons pass taken off the line by a scrambling Davis. The manner in which she lifted it over the bar was improbable with mere inches to spare, agonisingly looping over the bar.

Emma Clarke’s feisty tackle on Nicola Skrastin allowed Anna O’Flanagan to have a crack, earning the first of four unconverted corners. Clarke, Watkins and Speers had a treble chance denied by Amy Gibson, too.

But it was a strange tie with Scotland looking more assured despite shipping those clear chances. The best phase from the home side came early in the second half, livewire Connery’s upright reverse chipping the outside of the post while her punch shot was palmed away by Gibson.

At the height of their powers, though, Scotland struck as Bell ran through unimpeded from halfway and innovated with a hit off her right foot.

Fortuitously, it hit the back of a cover defender and wrong-footed Emma Gray for a 49th minute lead. Wylie got the second from the visitors only corner of the night, switching left and then back to the injector who swept home first time.

A brief debate over the nature of her contact with the ball followed but the umpires confirmed the 2-0 lead.

More Connery magic did get Ireland back in the game but Scotland were comfortable in holding on and almost nabbed another but Nicola Lloyd’s cross just evaded Sam Judge.

In the men’s competition, Scotland netted three times in the second half to run out 3-0 winners over Wales, joining Ireland at the head of the four-team group, Kenny Bain’s double and one from Derek Forsyth doing the damage.

Meanwhile, the Irish U-18 girls recorded a 6-0 win over Scotland in their friendly tie, scoring three times in each half. Katie Mullan, Amanda Haslam and Sarah Evans netted in the first period with Mullan and Haslam grabbing a second goal each and Claire Foley adding another to complete the half dozen.

Ireland: E Gray, M Harvey, C Sargent, E Clarke, A Speers, A Connery, N Symmons, A O’Flynn, C Watkins, N Atcheler, A O’Flanagan
Subs: P Smithwick, M Crowley, N Evans, S Quinn, S McCay

Scotland: A Gibson, A Bell, C Ralph, S Judge, H Cram, K Marshall, R Merchant, N Kidd, S McGIlveray, M McLellan
Subs: N Skrastin, A Davis, N Lloyd, L Clement, A Wylie

Men’s Celtic Cup: Scotland 3 (K Bain 2, D Forsyth) Wales 0
Standings: 1. Scotland 3pts (+3) 2. Ireland 3pts (+2) 3. South Africa 0pts (-2) 4. Wales 0pts (-3)

Women’s Celtic Cup: Ireland 1 (C Watkins) Scotland 2 (A Bell, A Wylie)

Saturday: Wales v Scotland (women), 1pm; South Africa v Wales, 2pm; Ireland v Scotland (men), 4pm

Sunday: Wales v Ireland (women), 12pm; South Africa v Scotland (men), 12pm; Ireland v Wales (men), 2pm