Monday, July 14: The IRL U18 Girls picked up their second win of the EuroHockey U18 Championship II pool stages as they beat Austria 5-0 to continue their perfect start. In Houten, The U16 Boys & Girls both suffered defeat to England and Spain respectively, despite massive efforts from both squads.
Following their comprehensive win over Lithuania on Sunday, IRL U18 Girls faced Austria in their second pool stage match. In the dying moments of a very close first half, IRL eventually broke the deadlock, with Evie Girvan finding the net to grab her fourth goal of the tournament so far.
In similar fashion to the game the day before, the third quarter was when Ireland hit their stride. A duo of penalty corners offered early chances which Austria dealt with well, but Hollai Quinn eventually got Ireland’s second of the game from open play four minutes into the second half. The team didn’t have to wait long for a third and fourth goal, with Isobel Field again getting her name on the score sheet, followed by Amelia Ryan’s finish from a penalty corner. A fifth and final goal came courtesy of Katie Herron, who’s goal came in the final minutes of the match.
The win puts the IRL U18 Girls in pole position going into their final game of the pool stages. They face Türkiye on Wednesday, July 16 at 11:15 Irish Time. A point from that game would be enough to secure top spot in the group and a place in the Semi-Finals.
In Houten, the IRL U16 Girls & Boys had tough tests on their hands as they faced England and Spain respectively, in their second outings of the Rabo 8-Nations.
The IRL U16 Girls showed superb character after a difficult first half against Spain. Having trailed the game 2-0 they continued to fight, getting on the scoresheet thanks to Isabelle Mulcahy and drawing the second half.
The IRL U16 Boys suffered a slower start to their second outing in the Rabo 8 Nations, with England netting two early goals to take control of the encounter. A huge effort in the second half from the team saw them swing the momentum more in their favour, applying more pressure and manufacturing several chances. The game wouldn’t go their way in the end, with England securing a 3-0 win.
The U16 Girls & Boys both face Germany in their final pool stage matches of the Rabo 8 Nations on Wednesday, July 16, with the Girls up first at 12:30 Irish Time, followed by the Boys at 14:30 Irish Time.