U-16 Boys begin Youth Championships

Andrew Smyth’s Ireland Under-16 boys squad begins their European Youth Championships today against Austria in the Hague. The squad features nine of the Leinster side that beat Ulster to the interprovincial title and five of the Wesley side that won the under-16 schools title – Robert Fitzgerald, Neal Megarity, Shane Madeley – son of fromer international Robin – Luke Chadwick (pictured) and Tom Samuel.

There are also places for St Andrews' pair David Cole and Richard Sykes, Templeogue's Shane O'Donoghue and Dundalk's Andrew Shekleton.

Ireland will face Russia and the Netherlands later this week, attempting to gain a top two place to qualify for the semi-finals.

Boy's squad (School/club): Nicholas Burns (Midelton/Cork C of I), Peter Catchpole (Ashton/Cork C of I), Luke Chadwick (Wesley/Dublin YMCA), Colin Phillip Cleland (GK)(Friends School/Lisnagarvey), David Cole (St Andrews/Monkstown), Stephen Dowds (Banbridge Academy/Banbridge), Philip Doyle (Banbridge Academy/Banbridge), William Edgar (Ballynahinch HS/Annadale), John Edgar (Ballynahinch HS/Annadale), Robert Fitzgerald (GK)(Wesley/Dublin YMCA), Shane Madeley (Wesley/Three Rock), Neal Megarity (Wesley/Three Rock), Shane O'Donoghue (Templeogue/Glenanne), Tom Samuel (Wesley/Three Rock), Andrew Shekleton (Dundalk/Fingal), Ian Sloan (Cookstown HS/Cookstown), Darren Sweetnam (Bandon GS/Bandon), Richard Sykes (St Andrews/Monkstown)

Head Coach: Andy Smyth
Manager: Peter Jackson
Assistant Coach: Miles Warren
Assistant Coach: Paddy Grimes
Assitant Manager: Fraser Mills
Physio: Sean O'Connor

Match Schedule
Pool A: Netherlands - Ireland - Austria - Russia
Pool B: Belgium - England - Spain - Italy

Tuesday July 8 (4pm) Ireland v Austria
Wednesday July 9 (6pm) Ireland v Russia
Thursday July 10 (6pm) Netherlands v Ireland
Saturday July 12 Playoffs
Sunday July 13 finals