Irish ride out German storm to seal final berth

IRELAND remain very much in contention for a second successive European Seniors Championship but luck was very much on their side in yesterday’s semi-final against Germany at Shannon.

Any complacency in the Irish camp will have been dispelled after this close call, with team captain Tommy Basquille and his players also well aware of the quality in the Scottish team in this afternoon’s final.

Even though they were fourth and last of the top flight qualifiers after the stroke qualifying rounds, the German were always going to be extremely difficult opposition. They led in all five matches approaching the turn, and it was only then that things turned against them.