Five-star Ireland hammer Scotland in Germany

Ireland bounced back in style to secure a 5-0 victory against Scotland in their Pool B clash at the EuroHockey Championships in Germany.

Having lost their opening fixture against England, Ireland ensured that they collected the points in their second game against the lowest ranked team in the pool, who had been beaten 4-0 by Germany in their opener.

In an even first quarter Ireland were temporarily reduced to 10 players when Caoimhe Perdue was green carded, but Scotland were unable to put the numerical advantage to good use.

Scotland were then reduced following a 17th-minute green card awarded to Bronwyn Shields, which resulted in Ireland scoring twice inside a minute.

First up was Hannah McLoughlin who scored from open play in the 19th minute to give the Green Army a 1-0 lead. A minute later Ellen Curran, also from open play, grabbed a goal to double the lead.

It got even better for Ireland as a Niamh Carey goal from open play in the 26th minute meant that they led 3-0 at half-time.

Ireland found it difficult to increase the lead in the second half despite Scotland finishing the third quarter down to ten players when Elizabeth Watson was yellow carded.

The score remained 3-0 until late in the fourth quarter when Sarah Torrans scored from open play in the 55th minute to increase the lead to 4-0. Torrans then nabbed her second of the game from open play in the final minute.

It was Ireland's first three points of the campaign and those targets of reaching the Olympic qualification pool in January next and staying in the elite level of the EuroHockey Championships remain within reach.

IRELAND: Ayeisha McFerran (GK), Sarah McAuley, Roisín Upton, Elena Neill, Sarah Hawkshaw, Katie McKee, Charlotte Beggs, Caitlin Sherin, Katie Mullan,