Ireland in fine fettle, says hotshot Abbas

PAKISTAN hitman Sohail Abbas gunned down Ireland in the UCD Four Nations final on Saturday — but then insisted he’s never seen Paul Revington’s side in better nick.

Ireland gave up too many penalty corners in front of a rare-super-charged full house at the National Hockey Stadium, and Abbas slung in two bullet drag-flicks either side of a similar stunner from tournament top goalscorer John Jermyn in a 2-1 win for the Asian outfit.

But Abbas nonetheless had words of encouragement for the Irish: “They are really improving and it’s the first time I’ve seen them playing this good. I think they’ll do something in the European Cup.”