Hockey Ireland were delighted to welcome the Netherlands, Spain, and Wales to the Garryduff Sports Centre in Cork for the BearingPoint 4-Nations. Blessed with decent weather and even better hockey, the four-day event saw fans from across Ireland, and further afield come together to support the future of international hockey go head-to-head.
An extremely competitive round robin pool stage saw the Netherlands and Spain come out on top with Ireland in third and Wales in fourth, with the Netherlands coming away victorious in the finals, and Ireland securing the bronze medal in the 3rd/4th place play-off. And this was the case for both the girls’ and boys’ competitions.
IRL boys players’ Toby Slye O’Connell was also awarded the Player of the Tournament award while goalkeeper Sam Holmes took home the Goalkeeper of the Tournament accolade.
Here is how our IRL teams faired:
IRL U16 Girls
Our IRL Girls faced Spain in the opening game of the tournament, a fixture that very much set the tone for what ended up being a very entertaining couple of days of hockey. The two sides went toe to toe throughout the game with Ireland opening the scoring, which Spain responded to quickly with a goal of their own. Ireland regained the lead and then further extended it to eke out a 3-1 lead. However, Spain refused to lie down bringing the game level before the end of Q3. It was the Spanish that pulled away in the final quarter, running out 6-3 victors.
IRL Scorers: LM. Kelleher, H. Farrell X2
The Netherlands were our IRL girl’s opponent on day two and entered the game off the back of a very comprehensive victory over Wales the night before.
IRL started exceptionally well, getting the first goal of the game in Q1. However, it was not long until NED got a foothold in the game. The visitors showed their clinical finishing and set piece expertise eventually winning the game 9-3.
IRL Scorers: H. Quinn, E. Girvan, J. Duffy
IRL faced Wales in their third outing of the tournament. Despite both sides yet to record a win going into day three, our IRL Girls entered the game as firm favorites having scored more and conceded fewer than their Welsh compatriots in the opening games.
The IRL girls did not let their favored chances get to their heads, starting the game with intensity from the get-go. The team showed their quality and depth gradually racking up a 5-0 victory across the four quarters with the goals all coming from different scorers.
IRL Scorers: H. Farrell, E. Girvan, R. Johnston, H. Quinn, N. Caldwell
In a repeat of the previous day’s matchup, our IRL U16 girls finished their BearingPoint 4-Nations Campaign against WAL, with a bronze medal on the line.
The team hit the ground running in Q1, building a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from L. Nelson and E. Girvan, a scoreline that remained until half time. E. McEntee added a third from the penalty flick spot, and L. Nelson grabbed her second and IRL’s fourth with a stunning top corner finish. The final nail in the coffin came in Q4 as L. Fox added a fifth with another fine finish.
IRL Scorers: L. Nelson X2, E. Girvan, E. McEntee, L. Fox
IRL U16 Boys
Our IRL U16 Boys began their BearingPoint 4-Nations against Wales. Given the quality of all the opposition in the competition it was imperative the team made a strong start to the tournament to give themselves a good foundation to build upon.
The team immediately made their intentions to compete for top spot in the tournament known as they battled to a 4-2 victory over Wales. Having led 4-0 going into the final quarter it looked like the side would cruise to victory. Wales, however, refused to lie down and scored two goals in quick succession. A comeback was not to be but the quality available on every side in the competition was made apparent.
IRL Scorers: O. Graham, J. Horgan, A. Le Quesne, H. Jones
Playing in the final game of the second day Ireland played Spain in what had the potential to be a decisive game in the battle for a space in the final. Spain were fresh off a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands the day before meaning both sides were coming into the game with good performances under their belt.
In what was a hugely entertaining game of hockey it was ultimately Spain who came off the pitch as 2-0 victors. Both sides displayed excellent defensive structure and attacking prowess, with Spain just edging a game, which most spectators in the ground of the opinion that it could have gone either way.
IRL Scorers: N/A
The Netherlands were up next for the IRL boys, with a place in the 4-Nations final still up for grabs. For IRL a win was imperative, with anything less resulting in the spot in the final going to the Dutch.
The two sides could not be separated with the game ending in a 0-0 draw. Despite what the scoreline would suggest, this game proved to be yet another scintillating matchup. Keepers from both sides were called upon on multiple occasions to make heroic saves, some incredible last ditch defending and plenty of attacking flair were all on show, yet neither side could produce the decisive moment.
The draw meant that the Netherlands would progress onto the final to face Spain, a game they ultimately went on to win.
IRL Scorers: N/A
In their final matchup of the tournament the team faced Wales to decide who would take home the bronze medal. Brimming with confidence, the U16 boys entered the game focused on the task at hand.
A 4-2 victory capped off their tournament. Goal scorers R. Dunne, J. Horgan, E. Irwin, and H. Thompson helped the side build a lead that the Welsh opposition couldn’t keep up with. Exceptional performances defensively and in goals also helped to stifle Welsh efforts to cause an upset.
IRL Scorers: R. Dunne, J. Horgan, E. Irwin, H. Thompson
