HOCKEY: It was never the primary intention of Ireland coach Dave Passmore to travel to Scotland this weekend and carry off the Celtic Cup.
That possibility always existed but with France and Scotland involved, two sides that will compete this year in the elite division of European hockey as Ireland go to Rome to play their way back into that division, the likelihood was remote.
With a half dozen fresh faces in the squad, Passmore's contention was that these were three matches ideal for looking at squad possibilities.
As it went, Ireland's results were mixed. Against Wales, they came out of the tussle 1-1, a solo run from Trinity's Phelie Maguire setting up Mark Irwin on six minutes for a 1-0 lead. That lasted until seven minutes from the end, when Wales equalised.
Against France, who had damaged Ireland so seriously at the last European Championships in Barcelona, Davy Smyth earned his 50th cap but Ireland could not back that up with a win.
Iain Lewers's baseline run set up Irwin for Ireland to take the lead but it was not to last and four minutes later Fredrick Soyez put a French drag flick past goalkeeper Wesley Bateman for 1-1.
On 22 minutes Mark Gleghorn put Ireland 2-1 up from a short corner but once more France responded and five minutes later Compte Goudard equalised.
France dominated the second half and made it 3-2 on 45 minutes and Julian Boyer capitalising for the French from a counterattack late in the game for a final 4-2 scoreline.
Finally Ireland fell 3-0 to Scotland. Ireland do not usually concede three goals to the Scots, and that would be a result that should cause some concern with the top-ranked team in the world, Germany, arriving next week.
CELTIC CUP: Ireland 1 (M Irwin), Wales 1 (Cooper); Ireland 2 (M Irwin, M Gleghorn), France 4 (F Soyez 2, C Goudard, J Boyer); Ireland 0, Scotland 3 (Marwaha, Dick, Stott).
