In the first set of international games against Belgium this week, as the U-16 girls won while the men's A side and boy's U-16s lost out.The U-16 girls took little time to get up and running in their game, Lucy McKee netting inside three minutes. Belgium levelled from a corner to make it 1-1 by the break but Joanne Orr's strike from a penalty corner second phase restored the lead.
An equaliser followed soon after but Aishling Naughton (pictured, left, on the attack for Mount Anville) popped up to finish off a breakaway to take the honours, 3-2.
First out at Belfield, the boys enjoyed slightly the better of a cagey, scoreless first half with Nick Burns' reverse well saved while a drag-flick was saved off the goal-line. Fiachra Maher picked up a nasty injury in the 26th minute due to a wild swing - an action that saw a Belgian goal chalked off in the process.
However, the visitors began the second half in lively fashion to score three goals before Burns
pulled one back after Shane Madeley had stolen the ball on the left flank. Belgium added a fourth, though, to complete the scoring at 4-1. The Irish, meanwhile, will be disappointed to have let seven corner opportunities go unconverted.
pulled one back after Shane Madeley had stolen the ball on the left flank. Belgium added a fourth, though, to complete the scoring at 4-1. The Irish, meanwhile, will be disappointed to have let seven corner opportunities go unconverted.Last match on court, Ireland A's scored three minutes from the start and the end of the match but ultimately fell to a 3-2 defeat. Jonny Bruton (pictured, right) got the first while Gareth Watkins scored at the death.
Results (all at Belfield)
Results (all at Belfield)
Ireland U-16 Boys 1 (Nick Burns) Belgium 4;
Ireland U-16 girls 3 (Lucy McKee, Joanne Orr, Aishling Naughton) Belgium 2
Ireland A men 2 (Jonny Bruton, Gareth Watkins) Belgium 3
10 comments:
Only saw second half of A match, Leinster players played well I thought. Conor showing his usual stuff at the back and thought Giles, Pelow and Robbo did well in midfield when they were on. Watkins was also on fire up front....fair play to him!
Is this the Belgium A or under 21 team? It is a poor result anyway but if it is their under 21 team a shocking result.
U21s. With the belgian side playing a very unusual defensive style which is probably not the norm for them indicating these results could only get worse. Superb drag flicker for the belgian team. Maybe three rock would look at buying him in to secure another successful season.
It's the Belgian U21 side.
However the previous comment is a little harsh as the point of Ireland A is to be a stepping stone from U18 to Senior international and as a quasi-replacement for our own U21 side.
Anyway Belgium themselves are ranked many places above Ireland at 9th in the world compared to 18th for Ireland.
Queso, you're ont getting into the spirit of the blog. anybody loses it must be a 'shocking loss', a 'farce', someone must 'step down' and whoever is in charge doens't know what they're doing and, at the end of the day, everyone in the IHA and Leinster Branch is to blame and should give up.
Your rational arguments and common sense are lost on here. Hysteria only please...
I think we would be better of with an Irish under 21 team as a stepping stone!
How did the U16 boys play?
The strong arguement against Under 21 sides is that it precludes a player who is 22 for example and that is not a good thing. Every player deserves a chance based on talent not on age. Look at Alan Giles clearly a player who deserves a look to a new Irish coach but who (i think ...dont know him...)is past the age. others fall into that category too.
irish u16s had nearly all possesion both today and yesterday. dominated the game but simply couldnt put their chances away! belguim caught them on their counter attack. scoreline dosent reflect their performance
i'd say Alan Giles will be delighted you think he can pass for under 21
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