AFTER uninspired results in the tri-nations tournament at Blaris over the weekend, it is hoped that Ireland were keeping plenty in reserve for the World Cup qualifying tournament in Cagliari in a fort night's time. At least a 1-0 win was achieved over Scotland yesterday but, apparently, there was not a lot of fluency in the performance after a 2-2 draw had been salvaged against Wales on Saturday.
The solitary goal against the Scots came in the 31st minute when a blistering short-corner shot by Robbie Taylor could only be parried by Paul Mellor and David McAnulty dived in to score.
Daniel Clarke, in his 75th international, had opportunities to increase the lead in the second half, notably when Alan Dowd (playing in midfield) set up a gilt-edged chance, but the centre-forward fired wide.
The lethal nature of Taylor's short-corner execution yielded a response in the Welsh match to two goals by Richard Markham in the 16th and 17th minutes. Ali Dunne reduced the deficit after the interval from a set-piece rebound and Taylor himself powered home the equaliser. But three exceptional saves by Peter Darley prevented Wales from regaining the lead in the closing exchanges.
In Dublin, Three Rock `Rovers' made a hearty bid to prevail in their own Budweiser-sponsored Super, Cup tournament but the home selection succumbed in the final to the Scottish champions Grange, who won 2-1.
Grange, spurred by four young Ulstermen - Scott Sanderson, Gary Boomer, Andrew McBride and Mark Raphael (all recent schools internationals) dashed ahead at an early stage through Sanderson from a short corner.
Three Rock, also fielding a youthful element with Alan Bothwell settling in well at centre-back, included Mattheas Bechmann from German& at sweeper and Thone Balm from Bloemendaal in attack. They had been impressive earlier in the weekend and, dominating the second half, Rovers looked like getting the better of the Scottish side. Liam Canning equalised from a penalty stroke but the visitors broke back for Sean Middleton to restore their lead, which they held to the end thanks to a brace of fine saves by Callum McRae from Canning.
Of the other teams warming up, with an influx of youth for the season, the tournament was encouraging for Pembroke Wanderers, who beat Grange in their opening match (2-0), and Cork C of I, who also, reached the semi-finals with a no table 2-1 win over Havant. Pembroke will be pleased to have schools international Darren Hanna from Cork spearheading their attack when the Leinster League starts.
