2019 Great Grand Masters Celtic Cup
Swansea, Wales 26-28 April 2019
The Celtic Cup on 26-28 April took place at the King George V Playing Fields, Swansea, Wales. Four teams competed for the Grand Masters (Over 60) trophy in a round robin competion over three days: France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. All matches were played in four quarters of seventeen and a half minutes with a ten minute break at half time and an interval of two minutes between quarters. Ireland were defending the cup which they had retained the previous year in France.
Scotland were looking to go one better than in 2018 in France, when they came second to Wales, but losses to Ireland and Wales meant that they dropped one place to third, with Wales retaining the trophy ahead of Ireland and France trailing in fourth place.
With Captain Peter Burns injured and unable to play, and both George Finlayson and Jonny Sudale not even travelling to Swansea, the squad was down to twelve players. Ireland were similarly affected but were allowed, against FIH tournament rules, to include three underage players in their squad, taking full advantage of their numerical superiority and lesser average age to beat Scotland 3-0 in the first match. Meanwhile the holders Wales beat France to share the lead in the tournament with Ireland.
The strong Welsh team rolled over the depleted Scots on the second day, though Scotland had a penalty saved and managed a consolation goal from a penalty corner in the second half to finish 6-1 down. Ireland kept themselves in contention by beating France in the other match, meaning that Scotland could finish no higher than third.
The Saturday result meant that Scotland needed a win against France on the final day to avoid the wooden spoon, and they looked on course for a win when they took the lead in the first quarter. The French hit back with a goal in the second quarter and resisted strongly against constant pressure (aided by some questionable umpiring) for most of the second half until Bernie Morrison scored what turned out to be the winner in a narrow 2-1 victory. Wales had a thumping 7-0 win over Ireland to win the trophy.
Friday 26 April
France 0 Wales 6 
Scotland 0 Ireland 3 
Saturday 27 April
Scotland 1 Wales 6
Ireland 1 France 0
Sunday 28 April
Wales 7 Ireland 0
France 1 Scotland 2
Scotland Squad
Jim Bate, Hew Bishop, Jim Chisholm, John Connaghan, Peter Gordon, Chris Kalman (GK), Gordon Loudon, Gerry McBride, Les Mitchell, Bernie Morrison, Peter Robertson, Stuart Robertson, John Smith, Ian Wilson. Player-coach Ian Wilson, Manager Donny Watson. Peter Burns (C) could not play because of injury, and George Finlayson and Jonny Sudale did not travel.
Table
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wales | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 18 | 9 |
| Ireland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 6 |
| Scotland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 10 | -7 | 3 |
| France | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 | -8 | 0 |
