WALES MEN ARE KING OF THE CELTS
Report by Dave Cooper

 Wales Senior Hockey teams ventured to Dublin as a largely new young squad with the 2005 European Cup as their target. The men had only a few international games under their belt but a structured squad training programme together with a number of Welsh Academy players had seen a win over Trinidad and Tobago earlier in the year - who finished fourth in the Pan-American Games, giving an inkling of this teams potential.

 Their first game against Ireland was a true indication of what Wales were about. They dominated mid-field making Ireland look to the aerial to make any real ground. With no score at half-time the teams came out in the second half determined to turn the game their way. Tackles went in ever harder resulting in Wales Graeme Egan being given a five-minute suspension. Wales far from being troubled by their loss looked all the more dominant and threatened on a number of occasions including a couple of short corners. With sixteen minutes to go Ollie Cooper was given a yellow and after showing his displeasure at the decision was given a full 15 minutes. Still Wales pushed but in the end neither side could break the deadlock.

With France and Scotland also drawing it was all level at the end of day 1.

 France rose early on the second day determined to see victory over the Welsh. Again Wales took control over the middle of the park but after sixteen minutes a long ball through caught the Welsh defence knapping and France slotted the ball home. Wales continued to dominate and 12 minutes into the second half a powerful drag flick from Ollie Cooper converted a short corner to level the game. Moments later another short corner was given to Wales and the outcome was just the same.

 With Scotland and Ireland finishing 2-2 Wales victory over the French meant the men went top of the standings and the women level with Ireland at the top of their group.

 A win was would seal victory in the last match against Scotland for the Men however the women required a substantial victory to overcome Ireland who finished level with Wales at the end of day 2.

 For the third game on the run Wales were totally dominant in the midfield. Scotland were left to try and knock the ball the length of the pitch. With 6 minutes left of the first half. Wales were awarded a short corner. Could a flick yet again give them the lead?

 The answer was short in coming. With 3 goals in as many days from their short corner marksman Oliver Cooper they had victory in sight. Now with 35 minutes left to make a momentous headline Wales were far from finished in this tournament. Five minutes in and another short corner was punished in the very same way by the same perpetrator. Ollie got his fourth short corner flick in just two days of international hockey.

 But that was not the end as just a minute later superb work by the Wales midfield saw the ball at Ollie’s feet and subsequently in the back of the net. The hat-trick was his, the second one this year at international level, and the game now comfortably theirs. But still the Welsh piled on the pressure and after more impressive work again by the midfield Andy Cornick made no mistake in getting in on the action giving Wales a 4 – 0 win and the Celtic Cup. For the first time in Wales’ history the men were Celtic Champions – and in some style!!

 Wales Senior manager Andy Bevan view was on the long term “ This is just rung two of ten we need to climb. But it is great for this largely young squad to realise the potential they hold. They arrived as athletes and reaped the rewards. Our sights are now on a crucial year in 2005 and this squad have shown they mean business.”

 With the girls finishing 2 – 2 against Scotland they had to settle for second place but from the Welsh Hockey Union point of view this tournament saw their teams compete in an international tournament without losing a single game.

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