Hook Hockey

Belgium undo Irish U-16 boys; girls complete Italian job

European Youth Championships – day one

Ireland U16 Boys 1 (Luke Madeley) Belgium 2 (Antoine Kina 2)
Ireland’s U-16 boys opened their European campaign in Vienna with a tight, 2-1 loss to Belgium amid 25 degree temperatures.

In the opening exchanges Ireland looked confident in possession and strung together nice passing sequences, however the first real scoring opportunity fell to the physically impressive Belgian side.

They won two penalty corners after 15minutes, the second of which was converted by Antoine Kina despite both goalkeeper and postman getting a stick to the ball which still glided into the top right of the goal.

Ireland rallied well both with both Jack Ryan and Jack Wilson enjoying the odd sortie into the Belgian circle with no real outcome. Indeed, Ireland had to play much of the end of the half without the ball and stout defending coupled with some excellent goalkeeping from James Carr to deny the Belgian outfit doubling the score before the break.

But the second half was a much improved performance and early Irish pressure was rewarded with a penalty corner after 15minutes. Skipper Luke Madeley dispatched his drag flick high right to the grateful cheers in the stands.

As the game grew on Irish legs began to tire in the lunchtime heat and despite some valiant defending Belgium retook the lead after a uncharacteristic defensive error allowed a free Kina shot from the top of the circle which soon found the backboards.

As Ireland rallied to equalise for the second time, they were forced to play the last minutes with 10 men after a disputed yellow card relegated a player to the umpire’s sin bin.

Despite the narrow loss, Belgium have beaten Netherlands, Germany and England in their pre-tournament preparation and gave good insight into the quality of the opposition.

Ireland: J Carr, B McCrea, P McKibbin, L Madeley, M Sullivan, J McKee, D Nolan, A Burns, J Ryan, J Wilson, J Henderson
Subs: R Poots, N Byrne, G O’Brien, J Henry, S Wolfe.

Picture: Andrew McKibbin
Video: Colm Blennerhasset

Ireland’s U16 Girls got off to a great start today playing their first match of the EuroHockey Youth Championships in Valencia against Italy. The U16 girls secured a convincing 4-0 win to open their campaign.

Ireland U-16 Girls 4 (Anna Roopnarinesingh 2, Emma Kernoghan, Zoe Wilson) Italy
Ireland produced an excellent performance to start their European campaign on a strong note as Anna Roopnarinesingh struck twice for Una McCarthy’s side in Valencia.

She got her side off to the perfect start in the second minute. Her side continued to hold the ascendancy and the Alex striker doubled their lead in the 26th minute.

Zoe Wilson and Emma Kernoghan extended the margin further in the second half for a comfortable win to start their campaign.

** To watch Ireland’s game with Italy once again, check out the video below