U-16 Boys secure A division spot

Ireland secured their 'A' Division European Under-16 status with a 4-2 victory over Italy in the first of their final ranking matches.

A spirited Italian side caught Ireland on the hop when they opened the score in the fourth minute with a drag flick but Ireland soon gained the upper hand in terms of possession. It took until the 20th minute, though, for Ireland to draw level with a Stephen Dowds corner goal.

Shane Madeley gave Ireland the lead in the 29th minute with great work by Darren Sweetnam inside the circle left the Rovers man with a simple tap in. Madeley added a second just before the break Ireland a 3-1 lead and make the game more comfortable.

Squandered chances let Italy back into the game, pulling one back with four minutes left but the Irish responded well to reagin their two goal advantage when Dowds scored another drag-flick to finish the game 4-2.

Coach Andy Smyth said of the performance "This was not our greatest performance but we ground out a result which has secured our 'A' Division status for 2009. This is important for future Irish U-16 teams and development. It will be a great occasion to play England tomorrow and one which we are all looking forward to."

With the pressure off, Ireland played out a lively, if eventually unsuccessful finish to the tournament with England. They lost 5-3 to end the tournament in sixth place but will probably look back to the 5-5 draw against Russia as a missed opportunity.

The Netherlands completed the double with 7-4 win over Belgium and they, like their female counterparts, qualify for the Singapore Youth Olympics in 2009. Both sides were presented with their winner's trophies by Nina Niedermeyer - a 19 year-old from Berlin won this award at the WorldHockey Promoters Festival during the recent Olympic Qualifier in Victoria, Canada