Old friends team up to show Azerbaijan no Mercy

IRISH hockey is on a high this morning after a stunning weekend’s work saw the senior men’s and women’s teams rack up four significant wins between them.

Gene Muller’s women made light of being ranked second bottom of the teams of the Champions Challenge I in Dublin, by defeating world number 11 India 2-1 on Saturday before seeing off Azerbaijan by the same score 24 hours later.

The victory over Azerbaijan was one made in Cork as former Mount Mercy schoolgirls Audrey O’Flynn and Julia O’Halloran notched the first-half goals in a 2-1 win.

O’Flynn dragged through the visitors’ short corner defence for the opener on 13 minutes only for an improvised flicked finish from Myungsoon Mammadova levelled the scores four minutes later.

However, a sizzling volley from O’Halloran from six yards restored Ireland’s lead, and they rarely looked in trouble thereafter.

The visitors failed to get a shot in on Emma Gray’s goal in the second period, but Ireland will have been annoyed to have let four other penalty corner chances go begging, ensuring the result was still in the balance until the final whistle.

On Saturday, Nikki Symmons batted in a corner rebound at shoulder height to put Ireland in front against India, before their attractive, expansive hockey was rewarded with a stunner from Chloe Watkins, who squeezed the ball home at the near post after being found on the baseline following slick build-up play from Lisa Jacob and Aine Connery.

Although Ireland conceded a field goal to India’s Jasjeet Kaur Handa with nine minutes to go, they held out to secure a famous win, with Muller observing: “India are unpredictable, they’re complex and I think we might have got them on an off day. But we did create the circumstances for an off day. We neutralised their creativity and created a whole lot more than what they did through individual flair.”

Next up for Ireland is a clash with Spain tomorrow (6.30pm) with a draw guaranteed to put Ireland through to the classification matches as shock pool winners; India's 1-1 draw with Spain last night means Ireland are already guaranteed a top two finish in the group.

Meanwhile, David Ames will link up with the Irish team for tonight’s opening Four Nations clash with China (8pm) with heavy legs but happy memories of Cardiff, as he helped a second-string Ireland side retain the Celtic Cup in some style.

The Cookstown-born Beeston starlet is the only player to participate in both tournaments, as coach Paul Revington picked two distinct panels for two tournaments in such close proximity. And Ames signed off in style with two goals as Ireland thrashed hosts Wales 4-0 to end the tournament with a 100% record.

Having edged out Scotland 2-1 on Friday night, with Andy McConnell netting a winner nine seconds from time, Ireland ran riot against an under-strength France, with Peter Blakeney claiming four of their goals in a 7-1 victory.

Monkstown tyro Kyle Good made his international debut in that game and subsequently netted his first goal in an Irish shirt by opening the scoring against the Welsh; his club colleague Richard Sykes had done likewise against the French.

A more familiar-looking Irish outfit will take to the Belfield turf against China tonight.