Men retain Celtic Cup in style but women falter

HOCKEY NEWS:IRELAND COACHES Paul Revington and Gene Muller enjoyed vastly different fortunes yesterday as the men waltzed to a third successive Celtic Cup in France while Ireland's women fell to a third successive defeat in the Four Nations tournament in Germany.

Mitch Darling’s hat-trick underpinned an incredible 7-0 win over hosts France in Le Touquet yesterday afternoon to add to Saturday’s impressive 4-0 win over Wales.

Corner goals from Eugene Magee and Alan Sothern, along with second half efforts from Alan Giles – his first in Ireland colours – and Peter Caruth completed the rout.

The side ended the tournament with a perfect record, proving a suitable way for skipper Ronan Gormley to mark his 100th cap.

Early on in the tie, though, he may have feared it would be an enduring nightmare.

The Pembroke man had scored two rare goals for his country on Saturday against Wales but ten minutes into the France game, he conceded a penalty stroke and was sin-binned.

Iain Walker saved his blushes – en route to the goalkeeper of the tournament crown – with a marvellous diving penalty save and Ireland never looked back once Magee broke the deadlock in the 18th minute.

Darling added a double before the break, while Alan Sothern also zipped home a penalty corner rocket to set up the win.

Ireland face France again next weekend in a challenge series at Coolnafranky in Co Tyrone as Revington shakes up his panel in the wake of recent retirements.

Gene Muller, meanwhile, was left cursing a thoroughly abject performance by the Irish women against India yesterday, falling 6-0 to a side ranked just two places higher in the world list.

The coach had been pleased with two spirited performances against Australia and Germany – both sides currently inside the world’s top five – in the preceding days.

But Sunday’s performance was vastly sub-par, falling 4-0 behind by half-time and two straight corner strikes added to their woes in the second period, confirming their wooden spoon finish.

On Saturday, Emma Smyth’s 16th-minute goal had Ireland on terms with Germany before two Tina Bachmann corner drag-flicks settled the tie 3-1 despite the heroics of Mary Goode between the posts. Muller has little time to take stock as Australia visit Dublin on Wednesday for a three-game series.

SENIOR MEN'S CELTIC CUP (Le Touquet, France):Saturday: Ireland 4 (R Gormley 2, P Gleghorne, P Caruth) Wales 0; Scotland 3 France 2. Sunday: Ireland 7 (M Darling 3, E Magee, A Sothern, A Giles, P Caruth) France 0.

Celtic Cup standings (points/goal difference):1 Ireland 9pts (+13); 2 Scotland 3 (-1); 3 Wales 3 (-3) 4; France 0 (-9) .

SENIOR WOMEN'S FOUR NATIONS:Saturday: Ireland 1 (E Smyth) Germany 3 (L Geyer, T Bachmann 2); Australia 6 India 2. Sunday: Ireland 0 India 6; Australia 1 Germany 1. Final standings (points/goal difference): 1 Australia 7pts (+8); 2 Germany 5 (+2) 3. India 4 (+3); 4 Ireland 0 (-13)