Frederique Derkx was once again the scourge of Ireland as she helped Netherlands to a 4-0 victory over the girls in green at the Volvo EuroHockey U18 Championships in Utrecht yesterday.
Derkx was at the centre of a row between the nations at last year’s U16 event, with the Dutch accusing the Irish of “physical violence” while Derkx’ overzealous time-wasting prompted accusations of a lack of respect from the Irish camp.
Yesterday the talented Derkx marked her first European appearance at U18 level with the opening goal from the penalty spot before Marloes Keetels, Liselotte Mens and the inspirational Sian Keil put the game out of sight before half-time.
Stout defending and excellent goalkeeping from Jenna Holmes helped Ireland keep a second-half clean-sheet that should build confidence ahead of today’s second pool clash with Scotland (3pm Irish time).
Meanwhile, Ireland’s U18 boys were left to rue a raft of wasted early penalty corners as they lost 4-1 to their Dutch hosts. Skipper Ian Sloan — already a senior cap — equalised but the Dutch scored again from a goal-mouth scramble, before notching a third off a stunning counter-attack and putting gloss on the scoreline in the final seconds. Ireland play Russia today (5pm) in the second pool match.