Late flurry ensures unbeaten summer

A spectacular last-ditch comeback ensured Ireland saved their three-game series against France with a 3-3 draw at Coolafranky last night. The visitors put three past debutant David Fitzgerald in the Irish goal either side of the break, taking advantage of some jittery defending to seemingly put themselves out of sight. But Eugene Magee gave Ireland a lifeline with a neat reverse from a narrow angle with 10 minutes to go, before David Ames set up a grandstand finale with a similar effort from the top of the circle.

And Magee then cracked one into the bottom right-hand corner off his back foot to tie it up. Paul Revington’s side even had chances to claim an unlikely victory, while Monkstown keeper Fitzgerald emphasised his international credentials with some fine stops at the other end. Allied to Saturday’s 1-1 draw — in which Alan Sothern cancelled out Joost Jasen’s opener — and an earlier 3-1 victory, it meant the Irish finished their summer programme unbeaten. France brought a much stronger selection to Ireland than the side that capitulated 7-0 last Sunday at the Celtic Cup in Le Touquet, but Revington’s men were good value for an overall series victory. Lisnagarvey forward Timmy Cockram also made his 100th appearance on Saturday, while Andy McConnell’s goal in the opening game was his first in a green shirt. Revington will have learned more about his midfield options, given the absence from this summer’s action of John Jermyn and David Hobbs, with Cookstown’s David Ames arguably the pick of the bunch. Meanwhile, Ireland’s U21 boys were denied the Junior Celtic Cup in dramatic fashion as an experienced Scotland side following a 4-4 draw at Coolnafranky. The Irish led three times in the game but found themselves chasing the game in the final stages as Kenny Bain popped up to score his side’s crucial fourth goal. Stuart Loughrey equalised to set up an exciting final few minutes but Scotland held on to take the title on goal difference following big wins over France and Wales.

Ireland added a 2-0 win over France on Saturday to their 6-0 success on Friday to be in with a shot of glory today. Davy Carson netted in the first half before Bandon’s Ali Smith rounded out that win, but it left Ireland two goals behind the Scots going into the final day’s play. Again, Carson got the only goal of the first half before Gordon McIntyre levelled for the first time from a corner rebound in the second period. Cookstown’s Mark Crooks restored the lead only for McIntyre to level. Corinthian sharp-shooter Brian Doherty whipped in his fifth corner of the weekend for 3-2. Josh Cairns cancelled that out with a corner of his own and Bain nicked the fourth with five minutes to go, again combining with senior international team mate McIntyre. Loughrey’s effort set up the grandstand finish but Scotland held out to retain the title. Nonetheless, senior men’s coach Revington will have been particularly pleased with the efforts of an all-new and entirely U21 side, particularly skipper Doherty, who hit four in the 6-0 demolition of Wales on Friday. For more of Emer Keogh’s pictures from Ireland U-21 men vs France, click here. Adrian Boehm’s photos from Sunday’s Ireland vs France game can be seen here. Senior International Series, Coolnafranky Ireland 3 (T Cockram, A McConnell, C Cargo) France 1 (G Deront); Ireland 1 (A Sothern) France 1 (J Jasen); Ireland 3 (E Magee 2, D Ames) France 3; Junior (U21) Celtic Cup, Coolnafranky Ireland 6 (B Doherty 4, D Carson, D Carlisle) Wales 0; Ireland 2 (A Smith, D Carson) France 0; Ireland 4 (B Doherty, M Crooks, D Carson, S Loughrey) Scotland 4 (G McIntrye 2, J Cairns, K Bain) Scotland win title on goal difference from Ireland (+2).