Hook Hockey

Maiden Carson and Carlisle goals top Spain

Men’s Senior International
Spain 2 (Roc Oliva, Xavi Lleonart) Ireland 3 (Conor Harte, Drew Carlisle, Davy Carson)
Ireland’s senior men will hope they have provided inspiration to their footballing counterparts as they beat Spain 3-2 on Thursday afternoon in Santander.

The second of their three encounters with the Olympic bound world number five side, the 3-2 scoreline matched last August’s victory over the same opposition in the European Cup.

Roc Oliva’s drag-flick had pushed Spain into a 19th minute lead but Conor Harte responded with a corner strike of his own three minutes later.

Spain went back ahead in the 26th minute with some creative work from Xavi Lleonart, weaving into the circle and getting a shot away to beat David Harte.

But despite spending much of the half on the back foot, they were level in superb fashion as Drew Carlisle celebrated just his second international appearance with a cracker.

He picked up the trajectory of a bouncing cross and volleyed home superbly to make it 2-2 at the break.

And like the Euros, Ireland improved as they went on to win it 16 minutes from time. Corintian’s Davy Carson also weighed in with his first senior international goal in his 12th cap.

Turning Spain over on halfway, a series of quick passes led to a great pass across the circle enabling Carson to pick up the bouncing ball and hammer home for the win.

Spain had a chance of salvaging a draw from a corner on the hooter but David Harte saved the dragged effort, making it one win a piece. The experimental Irish team can claim the series on Friday when they play again at 1.45pm (Spanish time).

Ireland: D Harte, J 
Bell, J Bruton, C Cargo, K Carroll, D Carson, R
Gormley, C
Harte, J 
Jackson, E 
Magee, M 
Watt
Subs: J Lynch, S O’Donoghue, P Brown, S Cole, D Carlisle
DNP: D Fitzgerald, A Smith