Ireland On Brink of Retaining Celtic Cup

A stunning three-goal spell in 90 seconds saw Ireland move to the brink of retaining the men's Celtic Cup as they saw off Scotland 6-3 in Lisnagarvey this afternoon.

It helped Ireland recover from 2-1 down in the 27th minute, undergoing a rocky period as they netted three times between the 31st and 33rd minute to all but kill off the tie.

A point against Wales - hammered 5-0 by South Africa earlier - will hand Ireland the title once again.

David Carson was the architect with three delightful, close range finishes while Railway Union defender Kenny Carroll netted his first international goal from a corner rebound.

Conor Harte started the goal-rush with an early penalty corner drag and the Irish looked comfortably in control for much of the first period.

But their concentration lapsed and Alan Forsyth nipped in to punish the openings. His square ball was eventually rolled in by Kenny Bain for his third goal of the competition.

Forsyth won a corner which Dan Coultas whipped home a minute later and the game was turned on is head.

Ireland's response was emphatic; Jason Lynch reacted quickest after Jamie Cachia had brilliantly saved from Mikey Watt. Carson's deflection made it 3-2 from Lynch's drive and then he added a fourth goal with an excellent finish off the ground.

Four minutes after the break, Carroll slammed home a corner rebound. Ireland missed a hatful of chances to extend the margin before Carson dove onto a left-wing pass from Carroll to ramp the ball into the roof of the goal.

Gordon McIntyre got a late consolation effort, closing out a thoroughly entertaining tie.

Earlier, Scotland's women claimed the women's Celtic Cup with a resounding 3-0 win over Wales, Holly Cram, Nikki Kidd and Sam Judge scoring their goals.