Ireland's men's under-21 hockey squad completed a double success over Scotland in Lisburn yesterday when they continued their preparations for next month's European B division championship in Italy with a 3-1 victory.
The Irish managed to eradicate the sloppiness in Saturday's opener which had resulted in a 4-3 success.
Yesterday, Mark Black opened Ireland's account when he converted a firm cross from Chris Jackson in the 17th minute. Clark Kennedy added a second goal from a penalty corner in first-half stoppage time.
Andrew Carson settled the contest from another Jackson delivery in the 56th minute before Doherty scored Scotland's consolation goal. Ireland had to be satisfied with the runners-up position in the under-21 women's four-nations tournament in Cardiff after sweeping to a 5-0 win over Scotland yesterday as Spain served notice that they will be a potent force at next month's European championship in Belfast by claiming the laurels.
Saturday's 2-1 defeat by the Spaniards was more significant than yesterday's result against the Scots, who collected the wooden spoon, as it provided a preview of what Ireland can expect when the teams renew their rivalry next month.
Anya Bowers of TCD scored a last minute penalty corner to provide some room for optimism ahead of the tournament in which Ireland will also face European champions Germany and England in the first phase.
Yesterday, Bowers and Portadown's Jill Orbinson weighed in with a double after UCC's Johanna Hyland, the Irish captain, had opened the scoring with a first-half penalty stroke.
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