Wales 0 Ireland 1:Ireland booked their place in the final of the EuroHockey Nations Trophy with today's 1-0 win over hosts Wales. The win also guarantees them promotion back up to the Championship in 2011.
One goal from Ireland’s only penalty corner of the match was all that separated the sides in what was an otherwise nervy performance all round.
Wales dominated the early chances, gaining two consecutive penalty corners after 10 minutes and a third in the 15th. However with David Harte in goal the Irish defence held strong.
Ireland’s winner came in the 20th minute when John Jackson weaved passed three defenders into the circle before he was met with a bad tackle to secure their only penalty corner. Stephen Butler was on hand to score his drag effort in what was his 76th goal for his country.
Wales continued to create chances but had no end product against a superior Irish defence.
The second half was uneventful until the 68th minute when the hosts earned their fourth penalty corner and the chance to force extra-time. However, the drag flicker miscued his shot and pushed the ball high above the bar.
“Obviously we are delighted to be in the final,” said Ireland coach Paul Revington after the game. “There was always a risk with the Champions Challenge II and this tournament being so close together that we would peak for one and not the other.
“We have managed to reach the final of both these major tournaments and hopefully we will go one better this time (Saturday Final).”
“This group can be very proud, the last six weeks has physically been a huge ask (Celtic Cup; Champs Challenge; EuroHockey Trophy), this was a super team effort and both the management team and I are very proud of the team today.”
Ireland will now face either Russia or the Czech Republic in Saturday’s final at 5pm
Ireland: David Harte, John Jackson, Ronan Gormley (c), Stephen Butler, Joe Brennan, John Jermyn, Eugene Magee, Graham Shaw, Tim Cockram, Alan Sotherern, Tim Lewis