Monday, July 22nd: Saturday was a day of mixed emotions for Ireland’s U21 Pathway sides. In their final games of the EuroHockey U21 Championships in Terrassa, and a place at the 2025 Junior World Cup on the line both sides faced France to determine their fate.
Nothing but a win for our IRL U21 Women would see them qualify for the World Cup, having lost to Belgium the day before. The team started exceptionally positively, scoring from their opening penalty corner of the game after just 2 minutes. However, France responded with goals in Q1 and Q2 to take the lead. Ireland continued to create chances in Q3 but to no avail. The breakthrough finally occurred in Q4 with IRL mounting their comeback thanks to a penalty stroke from Leah O’Shea and a goal from Lauren Moore giving them a 3-2 victory over France.
Going into the final game it was our U21 Men who had the more favorable situation. Having beaten Türkiye the day before, a draw was enough to see them secure their spot. The first half was an exceptionally close affair, with both sides creating opportunities but neither managing to break the deadlock. It was not until Q3 when FRA would grab the opening goal. IRL responded almost immediately through Matthew McKee who levelled the game after just 2 minutes. A France penalty corner in the final minute of Q3 saw the momentum shift against IRL, with FRA dispatching the chance to take the lead going into Q4. The French put the game to bed in Q4 extending their lead to 3-1 in the 51st minute and then to 4-1 in the 60th.
The IRL U21 Women will now look ahead to next year as they prepare to compete in the Women’s FIH Junior World Cup. The 11th edition of the competition will see 24 nations compete. The host nation and competition dates are yet to be confirmed.