Wednesday, July 16: The IRL U18 Boys & Girls both picked up wins in their final matches of the pool games to secure their places Friday’s EuroHockey Championship II Semi-Finals. Elsewhere in Houten, the IRL U16 Boys & Girls suffered defeat to Germany, despite positive performances from both sides.
The IRL U18 Girls continued their winning form in their third and final pool stage match, beating Türkiye 6-2 in Glasgow. Evie Girvan once again opened the scoring for Ireland, converting a penalty corner after 10 minutes, with Darcy Shields doubling Ireland’s lead from open play just before the end of the first quarter.
Ireland’s dominance continued into quarter 2, with Erin Pim and captain Scarlett Taylor scoring in quick succession to extend the lead to four and put Ireland firmly in the driving seat.
After a scoreless third quarter where Ireland won nine penalty corners, Evie Girvan grabbed her second of the game and sixth of the tournament. Türkiye grabbed a goal back from a penalty corner soon after, but Isobel Field restored the five-goal lead. Türkiye against continued to fight, netting again from a penalty corner to conclude the scoring at 6-2. Ireland will face Czechia in their Semi Final match on Friday, July 18 at 16:45.
A win was a must for the IRL U18 boys in their final pool stage match against Wales. Aware of what was needed, the side were quick out of the blocks, with John Cunningham picking up from where he left off against Türkiye to open the scoring from a penalty corner after just four minutes. Adam McKee added Ireland’s second and third soon after, the first a fine finish following some excellent attacking build up play, and the second from a penalty corner, before Oisín Gavin grabbed Ireland’s fourth to give Ireland a commanding 4-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Ireland’s dominance continued into quarter 2, with Adam McKee completing his hattrick from a penalty corner in the 22nd minute, with Michael Girvan getting his name on the scoresheet for Ireland’s sixth. A rare opportunity for Wales just before half-time called Thomas Costelloe into action, with the goalkeeper making no mistake in saving the penalty corner attempt.
A quieter second half saw Ireland continue to dominate possession, happy to keep control of the game. A late chance for Ireland eventually delivered the seventh, Adam McKee finding Alfie Le Quesne free to finish past the Welsh keeper.
The win ensures Ireland a place in Friday’s Semi-Final, with their opposition yet to be confirmed. They will either face Austria or Switzerland.
In Houten, the Netherlands, the Ireland U16 Boys and Girls faced two more tough tests in their Rabo 8 Nations Campaigns as both came up against Germany. The IRL U16 Girls were up first, battling well throughout the game to stay within reach of their opposition, eventually losing out 2-0, while the U16 Boys suffered a 4-1 defeat in an equally positive performance. Both teams will face Scotland and Poland in their ranking games on Friday, July 18 and Saturday July 19.