While frustrated in scoring only once in the second half, Ireland were too accomplished for Wales in their opening game in the under-21 Celtic Cup hockey tournament at Garryduff, Cork, yesterday. Although the first goal from Stephen Butler merely trickled over the line following a short corner, Graham Shaw made a brilliant incision to force a penalty stroke for Butler to make it 2-0 after 20 minutes.

A right wing cross from Shaw enabled Michael Harte - making an impressive debut at right midfield - to notch his first international goal. Then Cliff Bailey weaved his way through to increase the tally to four in the 35th minute. Wales, however, played defiantly after the interval, calling for some composure by Colin Clarke and Richard Beere in the Irish defence, and it was not until four minutes from the end of an evenly matched half that Harte broke through again to set up the fifth goal for his fellow Ulsterman, Kevin Lunn.

Ireland: G Bailey; A Chambers, A Bothwell, R Beere, C Clarke; M Harte, S Butler, M Black; J Sherriff, G Shaw (capt), S Kershaw. subs: C Bailey, C Brady, K Lunn, W Powderly.