Celtic Cup 2005

Wales v Ireland

Friday 22nd July

The Celtic Cup opened for Wales with the Men and Women facing Ireland at Peffermill in Edinburgh. Both teams see this tournament as a crucial part of their preparations for the Europeans later this year. For the men they arrive here pleased with their results in a series against Belgium last weekend where they won one, drew one, and lost one.

 The women opened well and Wales had their opportunities but could not capitalise. In the second half they came under increasing pressure and with just five minutes remaining Ireland’s Suzanne Beaney successfully converted a short corner to get the only goal of the game. The men came under pressure from the start of their encounter and just six minutes in after some superb work from Wales keeper George Harris Ireland’s Mark Irwin picked up a loose ball in the Wales twenty-five and thundered the ball home to go into the lead.

 Wales piled on the pressure and good work down the right wing gave them good penetration into the D but they could not find the back of the net. With eight minutes remaining one such move brought some desperate defending from Ireland and a short corner for Wales, only the second they had of the game.

 A clinically taken drag flick from Ollie Cooper levelled the game but despite Wales continued pressure they couldn’t get a winner.

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