Ireland put on a dominant display to level the series against Wales in an emphatic victory at Comber Road on Saturday. After Wales took an early lead through a penalty corner converted by Fred Newbold, Ireland responded with a flurry of goals from penalty corners. Connor Harte, Luke Madeley, and Lee Cole all found the back of the net, extending Ireland’s lead. Wales managed to grab a late consolation goal through Owain Dolan-Gray, but it was not enough to stop Ireland from claiming the win.
The match was a feisty affair, with both teams receiving cards and conceding numerous penalty corners. In total, a staggering 18 penalty corners were conceded throughout the game. Wales’ Rupert Shipperley celebrated his 100th Test appearance, while Rhys Bradshaw reached his 50th cap. Additionally, Mike Wood made his senior international debut for Wales.
After Wales secured a 2-0 victory in the first Test, the series is now evenly poised for the decider on Sunday. The result sets the stage for an exciting battle between the two teams.
Reflecting on the match, Wales head coach Danny Newcombe expressed his frustration with the inconsistent performance of his team. He highlighted the importance of discipline and game management, which he felt let the team down. However, Newcombe remains optimistic, stating that the team has reset and is in a good mindset for the series decider.
Wales co-captain Rupert Shipperley also expressed his disappointment with the game, acknowledging that there are areas of game management that need improvement. Shipperley emphasized the importance of bouncing back and working on those areas before the final Test.
Both teams showcased their talent and determination throughout the match, with Ireland ultimately emerging victorious. The final Test is expected to be another fiercely contested encounter, with both teams aiming to claim the series title.
Ireland’s lineup for the match included Jamie Carr, Luke Madeley, Peter McKibben, Lee Cole, Charlie Rowe, Jonathan Lynch, Jeremy Duncan, Jonathan Lynch, Nick Page, Sean Murray (captain), Conor Empey, and Ben Walker. The substitutes were David Harte (GK), Conor Harte, Sam Hyland, Kevin O’Dea, Johnny McKee, and Ben Johnson.
Wales’ starting lineup featured Toby Reynolds-Cotterill, Daniel Kyriakides, Jacob Draper, Rupert Shipperley (captain), Rhodri Furlong, Stephen Kelly, Jolyon Morgan, Jack Pritchard, Hywel Jones, Gareth Griffiths, and Fred Newbold.
As the teams gear up for the final Test, the focus will be on fine-tuning their strategies and capitalizing on their strengths. With the series hanging in the balance, Sunday’s match promises to be a thrilling contest between Ireland and Wales.
