Le Touquet seek Dublin opposition

Le Touquet hockey club are hoping to travel to Dublin for a preseason tour and are currently looking for opposition for a weekend in early September – either the 3rd to 5th or 10th to 12th.

They will arrive in Dublin with their men’s first team and also a veteran’s side made of players aged over 40.

If your club are interested in welcoming the French club on these dates, email Eric Chateau – Le Touquet’s president - at ericchoteau@hotmail.com.

Centralisation plan gets IHA green light

The IHA confirmed today that from October 2010, the majority of the Irish senior women’s team will commit to a ‘Central Preparation Programme’ (CPP) located in Dublin, for a period of ten months.

The programme is designed, according to an IHA press release, to “facilitate a core, intensive preparation program targeting those athletes in contention for selection in the build up to the Olympic Qualification Events.

“It will enable the majority of the players to train together on a regular basis in one location with the aim of qualifying the women’s National team for the London Olympic Games.”

It is envisaged that about 20 of the 25 players selected for the Irish panel will be in a position to be located in Dublin for the initial time period, and those that are unable to make the move will continue training at a local level in midweek and join the full squad for Sunday and Monday training sessions.

Players selected to take part in the CPP will continue to compete for their clubs as the weekly schedule makes provisions for weekend club hockey – except for scheduled breaks or international events – while also enabling players to prepare midweek with their clubs for ESB Irish Senior Cup and IHL matches.

Additional athletes maybe invited into the programme by Gene Muller who will monitor both club and interprovincial matches throughout the year.

The potential benefits of moving to centralised training from the current regional setup are outlined by the IHA as follows:

“It will enable the majority of players to train together on a regular basis in one location; it will help address critical technical and tactical weaknesses; it will facilitate more intense, frequent and higher quality training sessions; a programme of this nature makes the periodisation of the Irish training and competition programme feasible. Under the previous system it was difficult to control training variables to develop and peak the team.”

National coach Gene Muller welcomed the announcement: “The move to a central preparation programme is a significant move forward for the Irish women’s hockey team, and puts our training environment in line with many of the top international nations.

“The main aim is to improve our chances of international success. This plan cannot work without player buy-in and our players have been fantastic in endorsing and driving this process.”

Eimear Cregan, the current Irish captain, also believes this is a key step if the side is to have a shot at reaching the Olympics: "I have no doubt that this programme will maximise our potential as a team as well as providing us with a fantastic opportunity to qualify for the Olympics in London 2012.

“The current squad of players is hugely committed and dedicated, and I firmly believe that each player will work extremely hard to make this a success.

“I am also pleased that the Irish Hockey Association has been able to accommodate those players who are unable to centralise due to their work commitments.”

Meanwhile IHA High Performance Director, David Passmore says “'While it will maximise the time the athletes can train together it also gives some flexibility to accommodate for the different athlete needs and circumstances, whilst maintaining their involvement at club level for key competitions.

“In the past we have completely withdrawn players from club hockey in the build up to major competitions this does not need to be the case now.”

Clubs whose players will be affected by the CPP will be contacted by Gene Muller by next Wednesday with the specific details of how this will impact on them in the upcoming ten month period. The core Irish panel likely to be involved in the new setup is likely to be announced in the aftermath of the women's series with Scotland at the end of this month.

The women’s budget that incorporates the Central Preparation Program will be allocated in-line with previous year’s budgets funded through ISC, Sport NI and ESB.

The move has received backing from the Irish Sports Council, Sport Northern Ireland, the Sport’s Institute of Northern Ireland, The Irish Institute of Sport and national sponsors ESB.

Graham Shaw takes on Glen's player-coach reins

Glenanne Sports Club have announced that Graham Shaw has been installed as the men's player-coach for the forthcoming 2010/2011 season.

Shaw, who retired from international hockey last winter with 151 caps to his name, will take over from Arul Anthoni as he prepares to lead Glens into their second EHL campaign.

In a statement released by the club, Glenanne said as part of the announcement "Although only 32, Shaw brings extensive top level coaching to the set-up, having won the Irish Senior Cup with Loreto last May and also taken over the Irish Under-21 side recently.

"Sharpie - as he is known in hockey circles - has played for Glenanne since the Under-8 age grade and has won several honours throughout his playing career with them. He hopes to add to that honours list in his latest role."

Speaking after his appointment, Shaw said : "I am delighted to be coaching Glenanne. I feel we have a great mix of youth and experience in this squad and I am looking forward to working with them.

"I will continue to play for Glennane and am very much looking forward to the challenge."

Railway appoint O'Keeffe for men's role

Railway Union have announced the appointment of Ian O'Keeffe as coach for the men’s first team for the 2010/11 season.

In a statement released by the club this week, Railway said of the appointment: “After a period out of hockey, O’Keeffe is keen to get back into the game and brings with him a huge amount of playing and coaching experience and we are looking forward to successful times with Ian.”

O’Keeffe has been involved with hockey for 30 years as a player, coach and manager. As a player, he represented Belvedere before going on to captain Cork Harlequins and Pembroke Wanderers.

At Interpro level he played schools, U-21s and senior as well as representing Ireland at all levels, playing in the European championships, the Intercontinental Cup and the Junior World Cup.
Ian has coached at both Senior & underage levels and has managed the Irish U-21 team.

Malone's U-18s triple up against Scots

Ireland’s U-18s completed an excellent trio of games with their most emphatic win of three over Scotland at Jordanstown on Monday as they picked up a 3-0 win. Leah Ewart was on target for the third game in-a-row while Rebecca Barry and Katie Codyre (left) were also on the mark.

It concludes their build-up to the Home Nations tournament in style and they now look forward to the event which will be played in Garryduff, Cork from July 17 to 19.

Meanwhile, after 36 international fixtures in the past fortnight, Ireland’s internationals take a slight break until July 12 when the U-16 selections take on the best in European competition in Barcelona while the senior women round off the summer schedule with a three game series against Scotland in Sterling from July 23.

Junior Celtic Cups prove elusive for Ireland

Ireland’s U-21 boys were denied the Junior Celtic Cup in dramatic fashion as an experienced Scotland side following a 4-4 draw at Coolnafranky. The Irish led three times in the game but found themselves chasing the game in the final stages as Kenny Bain popped up to score his side’s crucial fourth goal.

Stuart Loughrey equalised to set up an exciting final few minutes but Scotland held on to take the title on goal difference following big wins over France and Wales.

Ireland added a 2-0 win over France on Saturday to their 6-0 success on Friday to be in with a shot of glory today. Davy Carson netted in the first half before Ali Smyth rounded out that win but it left Ireland two goals behind the Scots going into the final day’s play.

Again, Carson got the only goal of the first half before Gordon McIntyre levelled for the first time from a corner rebound in the second period. Cookstown’s Mark Crooks restored the lead only for McIntyre to level.

Corinthian sharp-shooter Brian Doherty whipped in his fifth corner of the weekend for 3-2. Josh Cairns cancelled that out with a corner of his own and Bain nicked the fourth with five minutes to go, again combining with senior international team mate McIntyre.

Loughrey’s effort set up the grandstand finish but Scotland held out to retain the title.
France, meanwhile, claimed the women’s Junior Celtic Cup, notching three wins from three as Ireland’s U-21s – shorn of a couple of senior international stars – ended the tournament in third.

The French had too much firepower on Saturday afternoon, Louise Poulenc’s goal 18 seconds before the break a major psychological blow.

Anna O’Flanagan’s goal had Ireland in contention prior to that as the game was poised at 1-1. But with their tails up in the second half, Apolline Rougeau and Alix Perroucheau ran up a 4-1 win.

Ireland fell 2-0 in their final game this afternoon to second placed Scotland.

The U-18 girls impressed over the weekend with back-to-back wins over Scotland at Jordanstown as they recorded a 3-1 win on Saturday afternoon with goals from Nicola Gray, Leah Ewart and Katie Codyre while Sunday brought a 3-2 win. This time, Gray and Ewart were joined on the score-sheet by Aisling Naughton.

The Irish U-16 girls, meanwhile, produced a storming pair of results to build their confidence ahead of the European Championships as they notched 12 goals in two games against Wales.

Braces from Chloe Brown and Railway’s Kate Lloyd helped the girls in green to a 6-0 win on Saturday evening with Katie Mullan and Antonia McGrath on target.

Mullan added a triple on Sunday afternoon with Elaine Carey, Roisin Upton and Gemma Frazer all weighing in for a 6-1 success.

International results:
Men's Junior (U21) Celtic Cup, Coolnafranky
Saturday: Ireland 2 (A Smith, D Carson) France 0
Sunday: Ireland 4 (B Doherty, M Crooks, D Carson, S Loughrey) Scotland 4 (G McIntrye 2, J Cairns, K Bain)
Standings: 1. Scotland 7pts (+10) 2. Ireland 7pts (+8) 3. France 3pts (-4) 4. Wales 0pts (-15)

Women's Junior(U21) Celtic Cup, Coolnafranky
Saturday: Ireland 1 (A O’Flanagan) France 4
Sunday: Ireland 0 Scotland 2
Standings: 1. France 9pts (+11) 2. Scotland 6pts (+5) 3. Ireland 3pts (-2) 4. Wales 0pts (-14)

Ireland U18 girls 3 (L Ewart, K Codyre, N Gray) Scotland 1
Ireland U18 girls 3 (L Ewart, N Gray, A Naughton) Scotland 2

Ireland U16 girls 6 (C Brown 2, K Lloyd 2, K Mullan, A McGrath) Wales U16 0
Ireland U16 girls 6 (K Mullan 3, E Carey, G Frazer, R Upton) Wales U16 1

* For more of Emer Keogh's pictures from Ireland U-21 men vs France, click here. Adrian Boehm's photos from Ireland U-21 men vs Scotland can be seen here.

Pair of draws ends men's summer unbeaten

Senior Men's international fixtures
Saturday: Ireland 1 (Alan Sothern) France 1 (Joost Jansen)
Sunday: Ireland 3 (Eugene Magee 2, David Ames) France 3
Ireland produced an incredible fight-back in the third of their three matches against France to sign off on their summer six-match campaign unbeaten with the Celtic Cup and a series win under their belt.

It looked an unlikely outcome with ten minutes remaining of today’s tie at Cookstown as France transformed a 1-0 half-time lead into a 3-0 advantage with time running out.

But Eugene Magee cracked home a reverse from a very narrow angle to set the comeback in motion, soon followed by the backhand blade of home favourite David Ames to spring the second.

And Magee completed the comeback in style with a fine effort after a flowing move which saw him bash into the bottom right backboard from the edge of the circle. Indeed, Ireland had a couple of chances to nick the win in the dying moments but Paul Revington was no doubt pleased with the character shown.

Monkstown's David Fitzgerald (pictured, right), meanwhile, made his international debut after several games as understudy to Iain Walker having travelled with Ireland to 2009 and 2010's Celtic Cups but never figuring on the field.

A day earlier, Ireland’s comeback was slightly less dramatic as Alan Sothern’s second half drag-flick cancelled out Joost Jansen’s first half opener.

Despite the majority of early possession, Jansen took advantage of a mistrap to slot past Iain Walker.

But Sothern levelled four minutes after the short whistle and while Ireland rode a few corner chances soon after, they also had a couple of set pieces of their own – one saved by the French goalkeeper’s head.

Ireland (Saturday): David Ames (Cookstown); Tim Cockram (Lisnagarvey); Mitch Darling (Leuven); Paul Gleghorne (Loughborough); Ronan Gormley (Pembroke W); Conor Harte (Pembroke W); John Jackson (Mossley); Eugene Magee (Dragons); Geoff McCabe (Dragons); Andy McConnell (Pembroke W); Iain Walker (YMCA)
Subs: Alan Sothern (Pembroke W);Phelie Maguire (Leuven); Peter Blakeney (Three Rock Rovers); Michael Maguire (Three Rock Rovers); Bruce McCandless (Banbridge).

Sunday panel: David Fitzgerald, Alan Sothern, Bruce McCandless, Mitch Darling, David Ames, Michael Maguire, Eugene Magee, Ronan Gormley, Conor Harte, Paul Gleghorne, Andy McConnell, Phelie Maguire, Chris Cargo, Timmy Cockram, John Jackson, Geoff McCabe

* Adrian Boehm's photos from Sunday's Ireland vs France game can be seen here

Hurtz strikes thrice for third Aussie win

Senior women's international
Ireland 1 (Lisa Jacob) Australia 4 (Emily Hurtz 3, Megan Rivers)
Emily Hurtz (pictured, below left) completed her role as Ireland’s tormentor with a trio of close range corner goals in a game defined by a string of set pieces but little excitement from play.

Australia notched seven corners in the first 50 minutes, scoring from four of them, to put this game to bed before Lisa Jacob salvaged a first Irish goal of the series with ten minutes left, again from a corner rebound.

It was the hockeyroos most assertive performance of the week, pinning Ireland in their own 25 for long periods. The packed defence left little space but four corners in the first quarter eventually yielded a 16th minute opener, Nicole Arrold’s switched piledriver ballooning off Louisa Healy’s pads and Hurtz volley home a sharp chance from the rebound.

In response, Ireland breached the Aussie circle for the first time in the 21st minute, Cliodhna Sargent’s dig tipped round the post by Kate Hubble.

It was rare respite and Hurtz doubled up, again from an Arrold crash at a corner. The winger slid in ahead of Ireland’s post woman for a touch and a slow death roll over the line.

Two became three for Australia ten minutes into the second period when Hurtz got a much cleaner deflection at the right post – the third time this week to succeed in that position.

And Megan Rivers completed their tally in the 50th minute from a corner second phase, rolling in on the left post.

Jacob bagged some late consolation from a corner rebound but, overall, it was a game of little invention as Australia took their corner chances but Ireland’s deep defence made field goals hard to come by.

Ireland: Louisa Healy, Michelle Harvey, Bridget Cleland, Cliodhna Sargent, Audrey O’Flynn, Emma Clarke, Emma Smyth, Alex Speers, Eimear Cregan, Shirley McCay, Niamh Small
Subs: Lisa Jacob, Julia O’Halloran, Nikki Symmons, Nikki Evans, Sinead McCarthy

Australia: Kate Hubble, Nicole Arrold, Kobie McGurk, Anna Flanagan, Madonna Blyth, Megan Rivers, Emily Hurtz, Fiona Bruce, Ali Boyce, Ashleigh Nelson, Fiona Johnson
Subs: Kary Chau, Shelly Liddelow, Jade Taylor, Kim Walker

* For more of Adrian Boehm's pics from the game, click here. 

Major milestones for Cockram and Cleland

Timmy Cockram and Bridget Cleland are both set to hit major international appearance landmarks today on what will be the busiest day of the international summer with six Irish outfits doing battle.

Cockram – like Irish men’s skipper Ronan Gormley last week – scored on his 99th cap and will be aiming to extend Ireland’s fine run in their summer series to date with a fifth consecutive win in eight days at Coolnafranky this evening (6pm).

The side conclude their summer programme tomorrow evening, again at Coolnafranky at 6pm.

Cleland, meanwhile, has been a tower of strength in the Ireland back four this week as Australia have found breaking down her partnership with Cliodhna Sargent tough going and is likely to play her 150th cap today.

Women’s coach Gene Muller, though, will be hoping for some tangible reward from a series in which Ireland have offered much from a performance perspective but found the final result denied twice by Emily Hurtz. They play at Belfield this afternoon at 4pm.

Ireland’s young tyros continue their Junior Celtic Cup campaign in Cookstown this afternoon with both U-21 sides facing France – the women at 2pm and the men at 4pm.

In Jordanstown, Richie Malone’s Ireland’s U-18 girls play Scotland in the first of a three match series at 4pm while the U-16 girls face Wales at UCD at 6.30pm.

Today’s match schedule:
Ireland senior men vs France, 6pm, Cookstown; Ireland senior women vs Australia, 4pm, Belfield; Ireland U-21 men vs France, 4pm Cookstown; Ireland U-21 women vs France, 2pm, Cookstown; Ireland U-18 girls vs Scotland, 4pm, Jordanstown; Ireland U-16 girls vs Wales, 6.30pm, Belfield

Doherty's four and O'Flanagan double give young Irish perfect start

Junior Celtic Cup
Ireland U-21 men 6 (Brian Doherty 4, Davy Carson, Drew Carlisle) Wales 0; Ireland U-21 women 4 (Anna O’Flanagan 2, Kate McKenna, Kate McConnell)
Captain Brian Doherty (pictured) led from the front with an outstanding quadruple as Ireland’s U-21s put Wales to the sword at Coolnafranky this evening, smashing a half-dozen past the hapless
visitors.

Doherty dragged home off the underside of the crossbar the only goal of the first half despite 12 shots on goal but, in the second period, any nerve-based shackles in front of goal were shaken off.

Corinthian club mate Davy Carson made it 2-0 with a fine reverse-stick finish before Doherty added the third from another corner. Drew Carlisle finished off a swift move to further kill the tie and Doherty completed the rout with another pair at corner-time.

His fourth was a peach, stopping the ball himself, ghosting past a couple of player and slotting home.

Scotland look the side to beat following their 5-1 thrashing of France – senior internationals Josh Cairns and Kenny Bain accounting for four of their tally. They meet on Sunday while Ireland play France on Saturday at 4pm in Coolnafranky.

On the women’s side, Ireland had a similarly impressive win over Wales with a 4-1 success.

Leinster skipper Anna O’Flanagan did much of the damage in a one-sided fixture, helping convert a 2-1 half-time lead into the final tally with Kates McKenna and McConnell also on the mark with Phoebe Richards getting the first half response.

Tomorrow’s opponents France were the other successful side on day one, beating Wales 2-0.

Deja-vu as Hurtz strikes again for Aussies

Senior Women's International
Ireland 0 Australia 1 (Emily Hurtz)
For the second game running, Emily Hurtz proved Ireland’s denier, this time striking just two and a half minutes from time to deny Ireland a famous draw at Belfield against the world number fives.

Again, they would have been reasonable value for it as the hockeyroos struggled to find the invention to unlock an organised Irish defence which offered precious little by way of clear-cut chances bar six penalty corners.

It was an almost a carbon-copy of the previous day’s action with Australia holding plenty of possession but creation in the 25 escaped them.

Louisa Healy – on her 50th cap – did pull two immaculate saves from that series but the number of saves was on a par with counterpart Kate Hubble who needed to be sharp to deny Shirley McCay, Julia O’Halloran and Cliodhna Sargent.

In a low-key start, Ireland struggled to get out of their own half in the opening 15 minutes but Ashleigh Nelson’s sweep wide from close range was the only chance of note.

Ireland responded well; Sargent’s corner bash well saved by Hubble’s extended stick while O’Halloran rounded on the ball at the top circle but straight down the pads of the netminder.

And in another fine move, McCay did well to latch onto Eimear Cregan’s slip pass and battered an upright reverse goalward from the baseline but Hubble’s glove nurdled the ball around the post.

It was a lively time with the Irish holding sway until the Aussies got a grip back on the tie, aided by the otherwise impressive Sinead McCarthy’s green card.

And they should have taken the lead 20 seconds after the turnaround as Amy Korner deflected high from close range but Healy dived with head and stick to save brilliantly.

Four further corners came and went for Australia but an inventive Irish effort saw Lisa Jacob denied from close in when well placed from Michelle Harvey’s lay up. Hubble scrambled to save.

Healy tipped a Nicole Arrold corner around the post as the game looked set to peter out into stalemate. Australia held the vast majority of play but only one shot came to pass in the closing 18 minutes from either side.

It was the vital one, though; as Arrold’s push zipped wide of the right post and Hurtz finished the chance.

Ireland face Australia in the third of their three test matches tomorrow at 4pm in Belfield. Eimear Cregan could be a doubt for that tie having shipped a finger injury which required observation in St Vincent’s hospital.

Ireland: Louisa Healy, Niamh Small, Eimear Cregan, Nikki Symmons, Emma Smyth, Alex Speers, Michelle Harvey, Audrey O’Flynn, Emma Clarke, Bridget Cleland, Cliodhna Sargent
Subs: Julia O’Halloran, Sinead McCarthy, Nikki Evans, Lisa Jacob, Shirley McCay

Australia: Kate Hubble, Nicole Arrold, Anna Flanagan, Ali Bruce, Teneal Attard, Fiona Boyce, Kary Chau, Madonna Blyth, Ashleigh Nelson, Kim Walker, Kate Jenner
Subs: Georgia Nacscewan, Megan Rivers, Amy Korner

* For more of Adrian Boehm's photos from the game, click here; Ondine Roche's photos of the game can be seen here.

Pembroke look for new coach following Fulton resignation

Pembroke Wanderers are now accepting applications for the position of men's first team coach following Craig Fulton’s decision to resign from the role this week.

In a statement from the club, Pembroke said they "would like to thank Craig for the five years he was been with us, which has seen our men’s first team having great success, including winning back-to-back IHL trophies, participating in the EHL in the last two seasons, winning the Irish Senior Cup in 2008 and 2009 and winning the Leinster League on a number of occasions".

As a result, the club is now welcoming expressions of interest for the position of the men’s first team coach for the upcoming 2010/11 season and potentially a longer term.

The club is looking for applications from individuals who have proven previous experience coaching at this level, who can give the required commitment to an EHL qualified team, and who can demonstrate ambition, sound organisational skills and excellent interpersonal qualities.

"Pembroke has the determination and ambition to remain as one of the top clubs in Leinster and Ireland and is looking for a coach who has the calibre to help the team achieve its domestic and European goals."

Interested applicants should send a short hockey résumé, detailing coaching qualifications and previous experience. Any other information they feel is relevant to their application, should be included in the covering letter. Applications should be sent to Pembrokewanderers@gmail.com For more information if necessary, call David Wilson on 0876787358.

* Fulton will make a decision on his future as Irish assistant coach in the coming months, telling the Hook that he is currently assessing his options but did say he was keen to see the job through to fruition after four years and help the side qualify for a major tournament.

Pig N' Porter adds hockey to the menu

**Advertising feature**

The Pig N’ Porter festival this year will run a 6-a-side Mixed Hockey Tournament – in association with Alive Outside and the IHA – alongside the traditional Mixed Tag Rugby Festival at Catholic Institute’s grounds in Limerick on Saturday, July 17.

The cost for the weekend per hockey team is €200 which includes free entry to the entirety of the Pig N’ Porter Festival. The event begins with a welcome party in Clohessy’s bar on Friday, July 16. Saturday’s sporting activities are augmented by a hog-roast barbecue, live music from Whitewater Band and a fire show from Passe Partout Circus before a disco ensues.

Sunday allows participants free admission to the All-Ireland Pig-on-a-spit bbq competition with some delicious free food as well as a farmer’s market, a tag rugby expo and music all day.

The hockey tournament is a one-day event, held on Saturday, July 17 with 12 teams taking part. Each team must have three females and three males on pitch at all times out of a squad of ten players. Matches are 20 minutes in length and the tournament runs from 1pm to 5pm.

To confirm your side’s place in the competition (closing date - July 9), click here to register. If you have any further questions relating to this Pig N Porter Fest, contact a member of the Alive Outside team on 01-2147355 or email: info@aliveoutside.ie

To book accommodation in Limerick,click here.

Slick Ireland surpass French again

Senior men's international (Cookstown)
Ireland 3 (Timmy Cockram, Andy McConnell, Chris Cargo) France 1 (Guillaume Deront)
Ireland’s men produced another slick, fast-flowing performance to dispatch France 3-1 last night in the first senior international to be played at Cookstown’s new Coolnafranky facility.

Timmy Cockram (pictured) linked up brilliantly with David Ames – who impressed throughout – to score the only goal of the first half. Den Bosch-bound Mitch Darling hit a post soon after the break  before Andy McConnell scored his first international goal in the 57th minute following further tidy interplay to make it 2-0.

Guillaume Deront pulled one back soon after but Chris Cargo sealed the tie after Alan Sothern’s dummy created the chance.

France brought a much stronger selection to Ireland than the side that capitulated 7-0 last Sunday in Le Touquet but Paul Revington’s men were good value for the win in the first of a three match series. Ireland have now won five games in succession with a perfect record in 2010.

Ireland play again on Saturday and Sunday in Cookstown at 6pm on both days as part of the Junior Celtic Cup weekend.

Ireland: Iain Walker (YMCA); David Ames (Cookstown) Mitch Darling (Leuven); Ronan Gormley (Pembroke W); Conor Harte (Pembroke W); John Jackson (Mossley); Eugene Magee (Dragons); Geoff McCabe (Dragons); Andy McConnell (Pembroke W); Alan Sothern (Pembroke W); Michael Maguire (Three Rock Rovers)
Subs: Chris Cargo (Reading); Peter Caruth (Annadale); Tim Cockram (Lisnagarvey); Alan Giles (Pembroke W); Joe Brennan (Glenanne)

U-18s undone on final day by Belgians

Ireland’s U-18s concluded their three-game series with Belgium with a pair of defeats at Belfield this morning, the boys missing out by the odd goal in five while the visitors found their form in the girl’s tie to win comfortably.

The girls, as a result, ended up tying the series with a win, draw and a loss after they fell behind inside the first five minutes to a Belgian corner. They created plenty of chances in the second quarter to level; Aisling Naughton’s flashing reverse wide while Deirdre Duke and Katie Codyre both hitting the sideboard during a rain-soaked first half.

But another neat corner in the second half sealed the win, Axelle Wouters deflecting in before Justine de Vooght cleverly played in Alix Gerniers to complete the scoring.

The boy’s game was a livelier affair despite ten of the Irish panel playing their sixth game in seven days. Matthias Dubois guided home a fourth minute corner but Shane Madeley (pictured, below left) finished off Nick Burns’ baseline reverse to level inside 45 seconds.

Belgium, though, enjoyed a smarter period in the next 40 minutes, forcing Ben Dobson to hack one off the line and built a lead early in the second half when Arno Devreker twice profited.

Hugh McShane diverted home a corner with 15 minutes remaining and Ireland piled on the pressure but an equaliser proved elusive.

Elsewhere, in Cookstown Ireland A finished off their two-game series with Scotland last night with a 2-0 defeat – Morag McClelland and Ali Howe with the goals – despite an improved overall performance from their 1-1 draw on Tuesday.

Kate Dillon netted Ireland’s strike in that tie but Ann Brody’s effort meant honours were even. Ireland A now reverts to being an U-21 panel for the men’s and women’s Junior Celtic Cup which gets underway in Cookstown on Friday.

International results:
Today: Ireland U-18 boys 2 (Shane Madeley, Hugh McShane) Belgium 3 (Arno Devreker 2, Matthias Dubois); Ireland U-18 girls 0 Belgium 3 (Axelle Wouters 2, Alix Gerniers)
Wednesday: Ireland A women 0 Scotland 2 (Morag McClelland, Ali Howe)
Tuesday: Ireland A women 1 (Kate Dillon) Scotland 1 (Ann Brody)

* For a couple of pics from today's Ireland U-18 boys vs Belgium, click here