Ireland withdraws U16 sides from European competition

Ireland have followed the lead of Europe’s major hockey nations by withdrawing their U16 boys and girls sides from European competition.

With Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands this year following Germany and England in pulling out, Ireland U16 boys coach Ricky Lee said he felt “Ireland had to follow suit, which is a correct decision”.

An Irish Hockey Association statement cited “development purposes” as the rationale behind the move, taken in consultation with national senior coaches Andrew Meredith (men) and Darren Smith (women). Finance is also believed to have been a major consideration as Irish hockey continues to attempt to run eight national team programmes amid dwindling funding and sponsorship.