Irish miss out on Celtic crown

CELTIC CUP glory continues to elude Ireland’s senior women, but coach Gene Muller nonetheless has plenty of positives to take from his side’s first tournament of 2011.

Ireland tonked Wales 5-0 on Saturday to set up a winner-takes-all clash with Scotland — 6-0 victors over the Welsh on Friday — at Largs yesterday, as the girls in green bidded to annex a first title since 2006.

But Nikki Kidd converted the Scots’ only penalty corner 10 minutes from time to secure a 1-0 win and a third straight title for the hosts, with Ireland left to rue six corners that went astray.

That was a reflection of the greater amount of chances they carved out, and while ruthlessness remains a worry, Muller — as is his wont — chose to look on the bright side.

“It was obviously very disappointing to lose the match,” he said. “(But) we created more scoring chances than in previous matches against them so I did take a lot of positives out of today.”

Ireland’s best chance came halfway through the second half when striker Lisa Jacob picked up a stray ball from a broken down penalty corner to beat the keeper, only to be denied by the woodwork.

Ireland get an immediate chance to even up the score, even if there will be no silverware on the line, as they play the Scots again today (1pm) in a friendly before returning home to begin their preparations for the visit of some of world hockey’s big hitters at the Champions Challenge in Dublin in 12 days’ time.

The main plus for Muller has come in the form of Áine Connery this weekend. The Kilkenny woman appeared to fall out of favour for a few seasons but is back in the international reckoning after a couple of storming seasons with Hermes.

Connery netted a stunning goal — her first in Irish colours — against Wales, roofing a flicked shot after deftly controlling a left-wing crash ball. Before that, there were two Michelle Harvey drag-flicks, a bullet of a corner strike from Cliodhna Sargent and one from skipper Alex Speers.