Hockey Tri-Nations tournament Ireland 3, Canada 2: Stephen Butler and Justin Sherriff, who last Sunday had helped Antwerp Dragons capture the Belgian Cup in their farewell appearance, contributed a goal apiece to Ireland's stylish victory over Canada at Garryduff, Cork, yesterday to win the Tri-Nations Tournament.

Having beaten Italy 2-1 on Friday, after a 3-3 draw with the Azurri in Wednesday's warm-up international, this completed an intense and encouraging week of preparation on the first step to September's European Championships in Rome.

Canada, who drew 3-3 with Italy on Saturday, and had gained several good results against England on this tour, poached a fourth-minute lead yesterday through Ken Pereira from a slickly executed short corner.

Ireland, though, were unruffled and were quickly on level terms when Butler whipped home a drag flick.

The Irish defence - in which David Smyth and Paddy Brown took man of the match awards, respectively, in successive games - was especially composed and, with Ireland putting on most of the pressure, Sherriff made it 2-1 from a short corner midway through the second half.

David Eakins also was on the target with a drag flick to increase the margin before Rob Short scored Canada's second goal two minutes from the end.

The occasion was marked by goalkeeper Mark Ruddle making his Ireland debut, a feat also achieved by Gareth Lennox earlier in the week.

IRELAND: C Henderson; K Burns, P Brown (capt), D Smyth, J Black; M Raphael, S Butler, M Black; A Barbour, J Sherriff, T Cockram. Subs: M Irwin, D Hobbs, D Eakins, G Shaw, M Ruddle.

TRI-NATIONS TOURNAMENT

(Played at Garryduff, Co Cork): Saturday - Italy 3 (G Cirilli 3), Canada 3 (P Short, R Agnihotri, R Kahlon). Sunday - Ireland 3 (S Butler, J Sherriff, D Eakins), Canada 2 (K Pereira, R Short).