Scotland’s men came away with a series win against Ireland this week at the Antrim Forum, but were pushed hard by the Irish, particularly in their final 2 games on Wednesday. A great showcase of Indoor hockey with high scoring games keeping the spectators entertained throughout.

In the opening game, the goals started early with Ireland’s Mark Crooks scoring the opener from a goal mouth scramble, but Scotland found their equaliser straight away with an unstoppable flick from Jamie Golden. Scotland were clinical in front of goal and extended their lead to 4-1 before half time with great finishes from open play using the left board and even Ireland taking their keeper off in the final quarter couldn’t stop the Scottish coming away 7-3 winners.

Match 1: Ireland 3 (M Crooks, R Patterson, R Canning) Scotland 7 (J Golden 3, C Golden 2, P Christie 2)

Ireland: S O’Keeffe, M Crooks, R Canning, J Lynch, R Patterson, J Jackson. Subs: J Haycock, D Howard, O Kidd, C Robson, J Duncan, N Glassey

Scotland: G Mackenzie, M Ross, A McAllister, C Golden, G Amour, J Golden. Subs: J Stephen, P Christie, S Stewart, A Lochrin, A Wilson.

Match 1 Gallery

After a strong Scottish start in the second fixture, Ireland managed to pull things level by half time; Ireland’s goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe made some fine saves from quick Scottish counter attacks, but couldn’t stop them extending their lead to 5-3 in the final quarter. Ireland only had time to pull back a late goal when they took advantage of an extra outfielder again and Oliver Kidd leapt on the rebound from a reverse flick.

Match 2: Ireland 4 (O Kidd 3, R Canning) Scotland 5 (C Golden 2, G Amour 2, J Golden)

Ireland: J Bernsden, J Jackson, J Haycock, O Kidd, J Lynch, J Duncan. Subs: N Glassey, R Canning, R Patterson, M Crooks, R Couse, C Robson.

Scotland: M Taylor, M Ross, A McAllister, C Golden, G Amour, J Golden. Subs: P Christie, J Stephen, S Stewart, A Lochrin, A Wilson

Match 2 Gallery

The third and final game was as thrilling as expected with 15 goals scored between the 2 sides; Ireland continuously took the lead throughout the game and when Ross Canning scored his sixth goal of the tournament to give Ireland a 7-5 lead with only minutes left, it looked like the Irish were going to clinch the victory. However, after a final few minutes of end to end hockey, Scotland managed to draw level and then scored the winning goal right as the final buzzer went off to snatch the 8-7 victory!

Match 3: Ireland 7 (R Canning 4, O Kidd, J Jackson, J Duncan) Scotland 8 (J Golden 5, C Golden 2, P Christie)

Ireland: S O’Keeffe, J Jackson, R Canning, C Robson, N Glassey, J Duncan. Subs: R Patterson, J Haycock, D Howard, O Kidd, R Couse, M Crooks

Scotland: G McKenzie, M Ross, A McAllister, A Lochrin, C Golden, J Golden. Subs: P Christie, J Stephen, S Stewart, G Amour, A Wilson, M Taylor

Match 3 Gallery