Irish U18 sides to scrap for A division status

Both of Ireland’s U18 side will be fighting for A division status this weekend, albeit in very different circumstances following the final pool games in their respective European competitions yesterday. The U18 girls will play Lithuania in the relegation playoffs on Saturday, knowing they must win to secure their A division status. Despite being the fourth-ranked side going into the tournament, Ireland could only finish third in their pool after going down 3-1 to England yesterday. Belgium’s 3-0 win over the French earlier in the day had put Ireland on the rack, knowing they needed to win by three clear goals to have any chance of making the last four. Ali Meeke brought that closer to reality on 10 minutes, touching home after Deirdre Duke had caused havoc with a weaving run, with Ireland dominating the opening quarter.

The English equalised, however, in the 23rd minute to knock the stuffing out of the Irish offensive. A disputed penalty stroke five minutes after the break and a corner goal ten minutes from time sealed the deal. Ireland now face Lithuania in the relegation play-offs on Saturday. Meanwhile, Ireland’s U18 boys came from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw against Switzerland that gave them a safe passage into the semi-finals of the EuroHockey Youth Nations Trophy in Vienna. They struggled in the first half and trailed 2-0 by the break, but Stephen Cole latched onto a broken down corner early in the second period to give his side a lifeline before Shane O’Donoghue converted the rebound of his own shot. Ireland now have a tie against Wales in the last four, as Andy Smyth’s side bid to regain the A division status lose two years ago.