Hockey: Irish Men Win Setanta Sports Trophy

Ireland Win Men’s Setanta Sports Trophy!

18th June 2007

Ireland have won the inaugural Men’s Setanta Sports Trophy,  beating Canada 2-1 in yesterday's final. Wales finished 3rd, beating Egypt on penalty strokes after the sides had drawn 1-1 after extra time.

A good crowd gathered to watch Ireland take on Canada again, Ireland having prevailed in their previous match on Wednesday 3-2. However, it was the Canadians who dominated affairs in the first half of a tight match, where there were few chances or penalty corners. In the opening ten minutes, Canada pressed the Irish back four, that was missing Iain Lewers through injury. And the visitors calved out the games first opportunity in the 12th minute, when Rob Short’s backhand shot was saved low to Mark Ruddle’s right.

Ireland’s first chance didn’t come until the 23rd minute, when a cross from the right from Phelie Maguire was deflected by Andy Barbour, but not on goal.  But Canada continued to dominate with veteran Canadian captain Rob Short marshalling the midfield. In the 26th minute, a great ball by Scott Sandison found Ravi Kahlon, but he crashed his shot high and left.

In the second half, Ireland improved their defensive structure and came more into the game. And the hosts duly took the lead on the second of consecutive penalty corners on 47 minutes, John Jermyn dragflicking high into the top left hand corner of the Mahood goal for his fourth goal of the tournament. Eugene Magee nearly made it 2-0 straight from the restart with a fine run through midfield, but he couldn’t get his shot away as he fell.

Ireland began to enjoy increased possession as the second half drew on, with Andy Barbour and Geoff McCabe excelling. And seven minutes from time, Ireland got their second and decisive goal. A quick counter attack found Geoff McCabe who rifled a quick shot which was saved by Mahood. But Munster’s David Hobbs was on hand to tap into the open goal between his legs with his back to goal.

In the final minutes, Canada pressed hard for a goal as Ireland defended their lead and their consolation goal came on the final whistle from a short corner.

So Ireland claimed their first Setanta Sports Trophy, with Canadian Rob Short winning the Player of the Tournament award.

Afterwards, coach Dave Passmore said, “Whilst lacking in the attacking creativity of yesterday, this was a strong defensive performance and we ground out a result. This is a pleasing aspect, especially given we are in the heaviest phase of our physical training.”

In the Trophy’s other game, Wales claimed 3rd place. The sides finished 1 all and extra time could not separate the sides. In the ensuing penalty stroke competition, Wales won 5-4.

Final Positions
1) Ireland
2) Canada
3) Wales
4) Egypt

Germany Win Women’s Setanta Sports Trophy!

18th June 2007

Germany have claimed the inaugural Women’s Setanta Sports Trophy at the National Hockey Stadium , with an exciting 5-2 defeat of South Africa in yesterday's final. Ireland claimed 3rd place, defeating Scotland 2-1 earlier in the day.

Germany opened the scoring in just the 4th minute, Maike Stoeckel arriving late to power home for 1-0. And it was 2-0 after 18 minutes, Natascha Keller driving into the circle and her weak backhand shot finding its way through thanks to an effective screen across the South African goalie from a German attacker.

Germany continued to dominate possession, but South Africa almost got a goal back from a penalty corner in the final play of the half.

South Africa started the second half brightly and nearly scored but the South Africa attacker couldn’t round Frank in the German goal. And they got their deserved breakthrough with fifteen minutes remaining. A penalty corner broke down, but Leslie-Anne George fed the ball back into the danger zone for Shelly Russell to poke home from close range.

At 2-1 it wa game on again, but the Olympic Champions responded ruthlessly, forcing three penalty corners in the next five minutes and converting two of them for 4-1 and effectively end-of-game. The first was a beautifully worked slip-left move and drag flick high into the top lefthand corner of the goal by Anke Kuhn, who celebrated her 100th cap for Germany yesterday against Ireland. The second goal, and Germany’s 4th, was scored by Fanny Rinne on a rebound from a drag flick to the goalie’s pads.

Despite the scoreline, South Africa battled on and had a short corner deflected over with eight minutes to go. And two minutes later, they won a penalty stroke when a South African attacker was bowled over attempting to convert the rebound from a penalty corner. Captain Marsha Marescia made no mistake from the spot flick for 4-2.

But Germany weren’t done yet and had the final say with 5th goal from a penalty corner in the last play of the game, Maria Muller firing home from a slip right.

In the 3rd place play-off match earlier in the morning, Scotland started well, taking the lead in the 18th minute with a field goal from captain Linda Clement.

But Ireland were back on terms eight minutes later when Roisin Flinn beat several Scottish defenders in the circle before slotting home a backhand shot low to equalise.

Cathy McKean should have given Ireland the lead minutes later when she rounded the Scottish goalie, only to drag her shot to the open goal wide on the lefthand post. And she came close again in the 33rd minute, just failing to connect with an excellent attacking aerial into the circle from Nikki Symmons.

Ireland opened the second half with a penalty corner which was saved. But from then on, Scotland dominated play, controlling possession well and penning the Irish into their own half. However, despite being unable to properly clear the ball or hold possession, Ireland’s defence held up and the Scotland carved few clear cut opportunities with their best chance coming from a shot from Cheryl Valentine that was saved by Healy after some good Scottish work down the left by-line.

McKean came close again twelve minutes from time but failed to round the goalie after an Ireland breakaway.

But the winning goal came from an Irish penalty corner that had been won by Jenny McDonough in the 9th minute. Munster’s Cliodhna Sargent stepped up to score her first goal for Ireland with a fine strike to the bottom lefthand corner of the goal.

Scotland continued to press for an equaliser and Ireland continued to make heavy weather of clearing their lines and stringing passes together. But the Irish hung on and indeed could have added another when McKean robbed possession deep in Scottish territory, but her shot was saved.

So Germany claimed the inaugural Setanta Sports Trophy, with inspirational midfielder Fanny Rinne claiming the ESB Player of the Tournament.

Final Standings
1) Germany
2) South Africa
3) Ireland
4) Scotland

Ends.

For Further Information, Please Contact:
Katie Roche, Marketing Executive, Irish Hockey Association
Tel: 01 260 0028; Email: katie.roche@hockey.ie