HOCKEY: Ireland suffer Belgian loss at EuroHockey U18s

Ireland 1 (Carey)
Belgium 4 (Simons x 2, Duquesne, Ronquetti)

In the penultimate day of action at the Electric Ireland EuroHockey Youth Championships Ireland went down to Belgium 4-1. It leaves them with a must win game tomorrow against a Russian side who brushed aside Wales 6-1 in the opening game of the day.

Coach Richie Malone would have wanted his side to bounce back after the disappointment of losing out on a semi-final berth earlier in the week but Ireland got off to the worst possible start when they lost possession from push-back and conceded a penalty corner with only 30 seconds gone. A sweep from the slip found Simons unopposed in front of goal and she deflected high into the net.

Five minutes later it was two as Dauw was left with too much time and space on the right and her cross found Ronquetti who slotted home first time. The games frantic start settled slightly with Ireland mounting better pressure but unable to create any chances. Belgian were able to outlet with poise and found free midfielders leading into space.

With 8 to play Belgium won their third corner and a sweet strike by Duquesne left Ireland 3 goals down with 8 to play in the half.
Ireland's response was positive and three minutes later great play on the left by Thom found Carey who unleashed an unstoppable reverse stick effort past de Mude in the Belgian goal to make it 3-1.

A penalty corner won on the half time hooter was wasted by Ireland as the injection failed to find an Irish stick. Half time Ireland 1 Belgium 3.

Ireland made a positive start to the second half as they went in search of a second, but a corner effort from Gleeson was struck wide. Belgium had corners of their own and McFerran was kept on her toes. Carey and Chambers posed threats for Ireland going forward but were left to rue missed opportunities in front of goal.

Indeed, it proved costly as Belgium retained their three goal lead when a hefty Gray challenge in the circle conceded a penalty corner. A first time deflection by Simons on the left found the corner as she scored her second of the game to make it 4-1 with 17 minutes left to play.

Belgium's number 9 Peeters was given a yellow card shortly after which provided Ireland with more space around the back. A left to right transfer eventually found Duncan free in the circle but she was unable to get a clean shot away and a free out was given.

With time running out in the game Ireland won a corner and what would have been slight consolation for the girls came to nothing, as Ireland once again failed to convert their chances.

Irish Coach Richie Malone will be disappointed with the result but must now refocus and look ahead to his sides must win game against Russia at 11am tomorrow.

Ireland Starting XI: McFerran (GK), O'Donnell, Gleeson, Chambers, Grieve, Thom, Hawkshaw, Maguire, Twomey, Carey, McGirr (C)