MENS HOCKEY: Eight goals in two matches and seven against in the series against Italy in Rome gave Ireland the edge over one of their closest rivals for next month's European Championships, which will be staged on the same pitch.

The tight margins in the two games, which ended 4-4 on Saturday and 4-3 to Ireland yesterday, indicates that, though Ireland will go into the championships as the highest-ranked team, they can not assume anything about their prospects of reaching the final to secure a place with the elite teams of European hockey in two years' time.

Yesterday's 4-3 win arrived after an awful beginning for Ireland in which they found themselves 3-0 down to the Italians after just 20 minutes.

After three minutes Matias Lippani capitalised on sloppy defending for Italy's first and then added a second on six minutes after a turnover in midfield.

On 21 minutes the home side's captain, Mirko Sagian, nipped in after goalkeeper Wesley Bateman's double save to make it 3-0.

That collapse will cause some consternation in the camp but coach Dave Passmore will also focus on the way Ireland showed character to battle their way back to record a narrow win.

Again Leinster's Stephen Butler and Justin Sherriff and Ulster's Mark Irwin were on target for Ireland, Butler grabbing two goals yesterday to add to the three he scored on Saturday.

Butler's first corner strike on 24 minutes helped Ireland reduce the deficit to 3-1 at half-time. Sherriff added Ireland's second from play two minutes after the break before Butler's drag flick on 45 minutes levelled the match at 3-3.

Finally a Sherriff reverse-stick cross was delicately touched in by Irwin to seal Ireland's win four minutes from full time.

The five goals from Butler make him the top-scoring player on the Irish team with 45 to date, Sherriff following close behind with 42.

With just two weeks remaining before the tournament begins, Passmore has the difficult job of culling his goalkeepers from three to two.

The highly experienced Nigel Henderson and Wesley Bateman along with Charlie Henderson are still in the mix.

All three played over the weekend and came through unscathed. The final decision as to who will travel will be announced today.

Italy 4, Ireland 4 (S Butler 3, M Irwin 1); Italy 3, Ireland 4 (S Butler 2, M Irwin, J Sherriff).