Monkstown ended up in fourth place at the high quality international U-16 Easter tournament in Valkenswaard in the South of the Netherlands. The tournament includes national, regional and district sides from several parts of the world.
They got through their group unbeaten with wins over South Holland (2-1), the Czech Republic national side (5-0), Southgate (1-0) and Wales (3-0). They also drew with Gossflottbeker THGC from Germany (0-0), Toorak East Malvern(Australia) (0-0) and Moscow (1-1).
They lost out in the semi-final 4-1 to the eventual winners an impressive Antwerp. They went 2-0 down and fought their way back to 2-1 with Simon Lowry netting, but superior skill and pace as well as tired legs got the better of the Town.
In the 3rd/4th place play-off Monkstown were up against the Australians again. The game started badly for the Town going one down from the tip off but they kept fighting and creating chances eventually levelling through a spectacular reverse shot from guest Glenanne player Shane O'Donoghue.
However, the Australians bagged a later winner. A fantastic tournament for the young town side who learnt a lot, played some great hockey, had fun and where great comraderie prevailed particularly with the Australians and the Belgians.
Squad: Stephen Cole (capt), Cian Speers, Liam Walsh, Richard Sykes, David Cole, Simon Lowry, David Watkins, Stephen Nolan, Shane O'Halloran, Eoin Kenny, Conor Stephens, Angus Pickering, Chris Hayes, Alex Fox, and guest players Shane O'Donoghue and Robert Fitzgerald.
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