The Irish men's team has won the three match series against Scotland after a win and a draw in match 2 and 3 of the series.
Match 2: Ireland-Scotland 5:0 (3:0)
Goals: Mitch Darling; Stephen Butler; Alan Sothern; John Jermyn x 2
Ireland stormed through their second match against Scotland tonight securing an impressive tally of five goals.
Ireland opened immediately looking the more dominant side with Stephen Butler launching a 60 yard aerial to find captain Gormley in the circle whose initial effort was saved but Mitch Darling was on hand to put away the rebound and score Ireland's first goal on the 6th minute.
Three minutes later Scotland showed the first sign of attack calling both Brennan and Lewis in at the back to keep any efforts at bay. Ireland doubled their lead in the 11th when they won their first penalty corner of the day after neat work from Cockram, which marksman John Jermyn duly dispatched for a 2-0 lead.
Three minutes later Ireland had another short corner opportunity but the keeper was on form to deny Jermyn's efforts. Nine minutes before half time Eugene got away a quick snap reverse shot but the resulting save gave Ireland another penalty corner, which Butler drag flicked home for a three nil lead at half time.
Ireland were unlucky not to stretch their lead just after half time when Paul Gleghorne fired a bulled across the circle but there was no one at home to meet the shot. Scotland began to settle and and find space for the first time in this match but the most they could squeeze away was a reverse stick shot at an impossibly tight angle. But it was only minutes later when Ireland were back in the driving seat once more, with superb build up play leading to a cross from Gormley for Magee to deliver a thunderous shot on the reverse forcing the Scottish keeper to make a brilliant save but the cost of which was a penalty corner which John Jermyn dispatched home once again.
The move of the match came when Gormley fed Cockram wide on the right hand side and his snaking run crossfield saw him feed Watt wide on the left but his seering drive was saved by the Scottish keeper. The game the ensued in a fast paced end to end manner, but Ireland were too strong for the Scottish to find anyway back and they copper fastened a convincing victory with a fifth and final goal from a deflection by Sothern.
Match 3: Ireland-Scotland 1:1 (1:0)
Goals: Ireland: Peter Blakeney. Scotland: Gordon McIntyre 62m
Ireland made a number of changes to their squad for the third game in this Scottish series, giving the opportunity for a number of young players to gain some international experience. However, the spine of the team retained seasoned players with Karl Burns receiving his 100th cap and John Jermyn being appointed captain for the first time.
Ireland made the opening attacks in the Scottish circle and were unlucky in the seventh minute when Alan Giles's back foot shot was deflected over the bar. In the 17th minute Ireland won a penalty corner and a barrage of shots came off the Scottish keeper on to the defenders foot providing Ireland a penalty corner chance but the resulting Jermyn drag flick was well saved from the Keeper.
Ireland had the greater share of possession for the first half but the Scottish keeper was in great form and he kept Ireland at bay. Scotland had a number of counter attacks but a solid Gleghorne, Jackson and Burns at the back closed the door on any Scottish goal scoring opportunities.
Ireland opened the score finally in the 32nd minute when Jackson broke from defence, feeding Ames who slipped the ball to Blakeney at the top of the circle who hammered home the ball first time for a fine finish roofing the ball into the net.
The second half opened with Ireland in the ascendancy but with Scotland playing for pride they pulled everything out of the hat to pile the pressure on the Irish defence. Things were made worse for Ireland when Jackson was sin binned in the 48th minute reducing the side to ten. Scotland won a number of successive short corners but an on form Ruddle saved well to keep a clean sheet.
Ireland replied in similar fashion but their short corner attempts went unrewarded. The game transcended into end to end attacks with Ireland missing numerous chances. Ireland were finally punished for their poor finishing when Gordon McIntyre picked off a rebound from the Irish Keeper to equalise in the 62nd minute.
Exciting hockey ensued which was highly entertaining for the spectators but heart stopping for the coaches. Ireland had their final chance to seal the victory with a series of short corners in the last few minutes but the set pieces yielded no reward and the final result remained 1-1.
Source: Irish Hockey Association
