Irish U-18s must settle for silver medals

THERE was no glory for defending champions the Irish U-18 Boys in yesterday’s climax to the European Nations Hockey Cup in Barcelona.

They crashed to an 8-2 defeat by the Netherlands in their head-to-head for the gold medal.

The Dutch were in bewildering form, leading 3-0 at half-time and running in five more goals in the second half.

It was a huge disappointment for the Irish boys, who blazed a glory trail all week. With a plus-four-goals advantage going in against the Dutch yesterday, they needed only a draw to retain the title.

However, the Irish lads had to bow to Dutch supremacy this time and settle for the silver.

Spain took the bronze medal by beating Belgium 4-1.

Mark Gleghorne who finished with 10 goals from five outings and Peter Blakeney were yesterday's Irish scorers.

In the Boys U-16 Nations Cup (Division A) event, also taking place at the Club de Polo ground in Barcelona, the Irish finished on a high, beating the Czech Republic 8-1 to finish in seventh place and retain their place in Division A for next season.

In the penultimate round of the Girls U-18s (Division A) event at Belfield yesterday, Ireland scored their first victory by beating France 2-0, with a goal in each half from Christine Quinlan and Emma Smyth.

Ireland play Scotland today at 12.00pm, needing only a draw to retain A Division status.

Scotland on the other hand require outright victory to defeat the Irish challenge.