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Ireland’s women’s team finished sixth at the Eurohockey Nations Championship in Manchester today, after losing their final match 2-1 to Azerbaijan.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/hockey/2007/0825/euronations.html

Ireland in these European Championships, lost their opener to England, 0-3, then Holland 0-6, but wins over Italy 3-0, and Ukraine2-1 secured Ireland their top 8 finish.

Ireland`s men ended their European tournament in emphatic style and have done everything in their power to avoid relegation. Now they must sit and wait for the outcome of England v France. All England need is a point against France, but a defeat for the home side will result in relegation and ensure Ireland’s survival in the Championship.

Ireland got the best possible start to the game with an early goal from Mark Gleghorne who drag flicked the ball straight into the top left hand corner on the fourth minute. John Jermyn followed suit in the 19th minute with a successful penalty corner routine when he placed his flick past the diving Filip Neussar to double the Irish lead.

The Irish proved there really were on form today when Karl Burns intercepted an aerial ball to win Ireland a free hit which was played quickly down the right, for Magee to receive a cross into the circle and tuck the ball into the bottom left of the Czech goal. A minute before half time Jermyn, unmarked in the circle, drove the ball across the face of the goal for Phelie Maguire to slide passed the keeper for Ireland’s fourth goal.

The Irish started the second half as eagerly as the first and wasted no time in putting more scores on the board, only six minutes in, Butler picked up the ball in the Czech half to pass to Jermyn who ambled unhindered into the Czech circle and bury his shot into the top left hand corner, for his second goal of the game and Ireland’s fifth.

Jermyn didn’t waste anytime getting his hat trick which came in the 56th minute of play, the floodgates were well and truly open at this stage with the Irish attack showing no signs of relenting.

Mark Gleghorne caused the Czech defence some problems on the left hand side when he drove along the backline to slip the ball back to Andy Barbour, who dove to deflect the ball into the bottom right hand corner.

Butler created Ireland’s eight goal when he passed unselfishly to Shaw in the circle whose reverse stick strike hit the back of the net to set Ireland on the way to double figures. Ireland continued to pile on the pressure to convert another penalty corner through a Gleghorne drag flick for their ninth and in the dying moments of the game Ireland made it to double figures when Barbour finished off a Gleghorne pass to put the ball passed a luckless Filip Neussar in the Czech goal.

Passmore was obviously happy with his team’s performance today “This was a fantastic aggressive performance, we stuck to the game plan throughout and we got the number of goals to stay up – if France beat England”

“It is important to beat lower ranked teams well and that gives us confidence going into the qualifiers” he continued.

It now also looks likely that Ireland’s Olympic qualifiers will be in New Zealand, with Egypt, New Zealand and Great Britain.

Ireland notched up another important win today in the Eurohockey Nations Championship in Manchester, with a 2-1 victory over Ukraine. The result means the worst Ireland can finish is now 6th, eliminating the risk of relegation from European hockey’s elite top division. On a day on which Ireland’s Captain Linda Caulfield earned her 150th international cap, Ireland can now equal their best ever finish in the competition of 5th if they beat Azerbaijan on Saturday.

Ireland started the match well but it was Ukraine who won the first short corner of the game in the 2nd minute after a bad turnover by Jill Orbinson. But the corner, taken short and wide, was blocked by Bridget McKeever.

Ireland settled down, controlling possession well, and duly took the lead in the 7th minute. A flowing Irish attack that comprised of at least ten passes resulted in Jenny McDonough finding Eimear Cregan in space and the Limerick player fired a shot from wide on the right through the legs of Fisiun in the Ukrainian goal for 1-0.

With the go-ahead goal under their belt, the Irish starting playing the controlled hockey that Coach Gene Muller had asked for, maintaining possession with confidence. Roisin Flinn nearly got Alex Speers in for Ireland’s second goal in the 22nd minute, but her flicked backhand pass was blocked. And a searing run into the circle by Cathy McKean was broken up before she could get a shot away. Fisiun then had to glove-save well seconds later from a Nikki Symmons shot.

Eimear Cregan should have done better with ten minutes remaining in the half, when she won the ball deep in Ukrainian territory, but she dragged her shot well wide. But she more than made up for it four minutes later when she struck again for her second goal. A great run down the right wing by Jenny McDonogh found Roisin Flinn infield on the byline and her cross found Cregan who scored on the reverse-stick side at the second attempt.

With a two goal advantage, Ireland appeared to be comfortable, but Ukraine hit back to dominate the remainder of the half. Olena Ivakhnenko shot just wide with five minutes to go and it was 2-1 a minute later when Ukraine won a penalty corner. A well worked interchange of passes allowed Maryna Vynohradova to slot home low to Mary Goode’s right. And the Ukrainians were nearly level in the final minute of the half when a free hit flashed dangerously across the Irish goal and Orbinson had to make a diving intervention to clear a dangerous ball right on the half time whistle.

The second half was a tighter and scrappier affair as Irish began to dig in and defend their lead. Cathy McKean nearly converted a good cross from Cregan in the 39th minute and a Ukrainian penalty corner a minute later was charged down. Half way through the half, Ireland Coach brought another player into his midfield in an attempt to ease the increasing pressure on the Ireland back four.

The tactical move appeared to work with Ukrainian chances being limited. Their best moments came in the 58th minute, when Goode was forced into a double save, and in the 62nd minute, when Goode had to dive spectacularly to her right to fend away a Ivakhnenko drag flick from Ukraine’s fourth penalty corner.

Ireland spent the remaining five minutes holding possession tightly and running down the clock for an important victory.

Afterwards, Ireland Coach Gene Muller was in praise of his players.

“The Ukrainians are skillful, unconventional, strong and very quick,” he said. “We are delighted to have come through this. It wasn’t an attractive game, but I’m delighted for the players.”

“We were hanging on for the majority of the second half and I changed the shape of the team to add an extra midfielder in the second half as I was afraid they were going to score. I wanted to protect our back four a bit more.”

“The Ukrainians have excellent individual skills and are dangerous opponents,” said Ireland Captain Linda Caulfield. “They will be disappointed not to have done better at this tournament.”

Ireland’s final match is at midday on Saturday (25th August 2007) against Azerbaijan where a win will assure them of a 5th place finish.

“Azerbaijan are a bit more structured than today’s opponents, which will suit us,” said Muller.

Sunday, 19 August 2007

Ireland’s men got their Eurohockey Nations Championship campaign
off to a good start today, with a well-deserved 1-1 draw with World
No.3 and defending European Champions Spain.

Ireland were well worth their point today and matched the classy
Spanish well for the whole 70 minutes, with Captain Patrick Brown
leading by example with a vintage display in defence. But all
players contributed to excellent Irish display which keeps their
dreams of Olympic qualification very much alive.

Ireland got the best possible start they could have hoped for,
taking the lead after just one minute. A free hit on the Spanish
circle was rolled into the D and crashed to the back post by Mark
Black for Mark Gleghorne to deflect home from close range.

Ireland continued to dominate early proceedings and Gleghorne had
another shot on goal in the 4th minute, but it was easily saved by
Cortes in the Spanish goal. And Andy Barbour forced a turnover deep
in Spanish territory but couldn’t beat the Spanish defender as he
broke into the circle.

After their slow start, Spain started to raise their game and a
rare mistake by Patrick Brown on eight minutes from an attacking
aerial let in Eduard Tabau, but he was denied by a magnificent
covering tackle by John Jermyn.

Spain began to impose themselves more on the game, with a dangerous
cross from the right in the 12th minute being cleared and Victor
Sojo running dangerously into the circle four minutes later, but
firing his backhand shot high and wide. And the Spaniards’ first
penalty corner of the game in the 17th minute was well blocked by
Eugene Magee, with Alex Fabregas shooting wastefully wide from the
top of the circle, with plenty of time to measure his shot.

After this initial surge of pressure from Spain, Ireland settled
into a period of controlled possession with Captain Patrick Brown
marshalling his defence well and Ronan Gormley also excelling. And
in the 28th minute, Ireland nearly doubled their lead when Eugene
Magee burst into the circle at pace and rifled a shot that Cortes
saved well.

The teams went in at half time with Ireland deserved leading and a
huge upset against the defending champions suddenly looked
possible. But Spain came out in the second half with much more
purpose and intensity and put Ireland under heavy pressure early
on. And after six minutes of the second half, Spain finally got
back on terms, when Xavier Ribas converted the third of three
consecutive penalty corners, his drag flick beating Harte low to
his right, despite the Munsterman getting a stick to it.

Harte then produced an excellent stick save to his right to deny
Victor Sojo two minutes later from Spain’s 5th penalty corner.
Spain continued to pressure Ireland and Harte was forced into two
more saves from free play. But Ireland nearly prized open a scoring
opportunity themselves when a brilliant 40 metre pass from Brown
found Irwin deep in Spanish territory, but he was denied by a
despairing Spanish tackle as he raced along the by-line towards
goal. Harte then denied Ribas twice from a brace of penalty corners
with ten minutes to go, the first a brilliant stick block low to
his right and the second well glove-saved high.

Spain piled on more pressure but Ireland’s defence held firm and
composed. And Ireland went out to win the game in an exciting final
five minutes. Andy Barbour’s shot on the turn was blocked and with
three minutes to go Ireland had convincing calls for a penalty
corner ignored after frenzied action in the Spanish circle
following a rasping cross from Stephen Butler from the right. But
neither side could forge a winner and the game finished 1-1 in a
result that will please Ireland more than the defending champions
Spain.

Speaking afterwards, Ireland Coach Dave Passmore was pleased with the
 display.

“I’m naturally happy with a point against the European
 champions,”
he said. “We stuck to our game plan well today and this was a
composed performance.”

“We are aware that it is only the first game and the players have
their feet on the ground. But the players were fantastic in and
around the circle today and there is a great togetherness in the
squad.”

Passmore enthused over the performance of young goalkeeper David Harte.

“To include a 19 year old in the squad and then to start him in the
first game raised a few eyebrows but he’s got a lot of character
and he had a massive game today,” said Passmore.

Passmore has to be happy with the start to his team’s campaign
after injury problems plagued the final preparations for the
tournament. He credited the rotation system he has instilled in the
squad to combat these problems. “We were potentially coming into
this tournament without three key players,” he explained. “We
crucially now have a culture in the squad where players are
comfortable playing in a number of positions. That was obviously
key today in that we were able to play John Jermyn in our back four
with uncertainty around Iain Lewers fitness.”

“The back four were massive today, but it was an eleven-man defence
and the whole team deserves great credit.”

Mark Gleghorne spoke modestly of his opening goal of the campaign.
“I was at the back post and couldn’t really miss,” he said. “We
 
didn’t get many chances, so it was important to take those that
came along. It all about taking those chances at this level.”

Ireland’s next game is against Holland on Tuesday at 11am.
Ireland’s women take on the same nation Today (Monday)at 3pm.

Ireland Draw Level with Lithuanian in Second Match

Ireland’s U18 Girls drew two all with Lithuanian in the second match of their Youth Nations Championship campaign, after beating the Belgians 5-3 yesterday.

Ireland went one nil down in the 22nd minute of play when a scramble around the mouth of the Irish goal saw the ball fall to a Lithuanian stick to dribble the ball over the Irish line.

Two minutes before half time a well practised short corner saw Ireland ’s Chloe Watkins convert her drag flick for a sweet equaliser.

In the 38th minute Lithuanian again nosed ahead with a drag flick penalty corner of their own. Ireland finally equalised in the 59th minute when some good open play saw Megan Frazer put in her country’s second goal.

Both sides had a chance to snatch the victory in the final minutes of the match but the score line remained two all. Ireland now go into their final game against the Dutch, a win or draw against them will secure their place in the final four play offs, a loss will mean the fate of their Championship is in the hands of the Belgian / Lithuanian result.

Commenting after the game was Manager Denise Doherty “We were relieved to get a draw as we could have lost the match when the Lithuanians won a penalty corner in the last second of the match”

“The girls coped well with the circumstances and style of play of the opposition.” She continued.

#####
Ireland lose two nil to the Dutch in third match.

Luck was not with Ireland ’s U18 girls today when they took on the mighty Dutch in their third and final pool match of the EuroHockey Youth Nations Championship.
 
Ireland thought they had opened the scoring when they converted a well taken penalty corner only to have the umpire disqualify the goal, for reasons still unclear. The two sides broke at half time scoreless.
Two minutes into the second half Ireland had a superb passage of play with the three forwards displaying some great flair, Anna O’Flanagan missed the goal by millimetres to put Ireland one ahead.

In the 48th minutes the Dutch finally opened their account when a penalty corner resulted in their first goal. They doubled their lead in the 60th minute with some good open attacking play.

Commenting after the match was manager Denise Doherty “We are extremely proud of the girls, their work rate out there was excellent. However, we are very disappointed to walk away without any points”.

Ireland’s fate now depends on the result between Lithuania and Belgium . Lithuania must beat Belgium by three clear goals to relegate Ireland to third position in the pools.

######

Ireland’s U18 Boys put on great performance against the Dutch.

Despite taking the lead at half time Ireland ’s U18 boys lost out in their final pool match to The Netherlands five goals to three.

Ireland were on the back foot eight minutes into their match when they lost possession in midfield which led to a direct shot from the Dutch which put them one nil ahead.

Ireland equalised through captain Neil Hamilton when he was awarded a penalty stroke. Hamilton had found his form and minutes later put Ireland in the lead with an excellent drag flick which found the bottom left corner of the Dutch goal. Hamilton was unlucky not to get a hatrick when his second drag flick of the day rebounded of the Dutch post. The Dutch didn’t take long to respond through a penalty corner of their own when quick reactions on a rebound saw the two countries draw level at two all. Ireland’s third goal was set up by McCrea who won the ball in midfield and set up a great pass to Jonathan Kane who found himself one on one with the keeper, cool headedness and superb skill saw Kane chip the keeper to leave him stranded and find the back of the Dutch net to give Ireland a 3-2 lead just before half time.

The Netherlands came out fighting after the break and immediately Irish Keeper Ross Murray was forced to pull of an excellent save, but the rebound fell kindly to a Dutch stick and a superb reverse stick shot left Murray with no chance as the teams drew level at three all.

Two more goals saw the Dutch seal their victory five three, with their fourth goal from a penalty corner and their fifth from a second phase shot after an initial save from Murray .

Commenting after the game was Manager, Stephen Cuddy “We were up against it today and we proved for large parts of the game that we could compete with one of the top nations in the world. This was our best performance of the tournament so far. We look forward to picking it up again on Friday.”

Ireland will be looking to finish in fifth place from this tournament this coming Friday in the play offs.

###

Irish Girls Finish 4th As Boys Are Relegated in Eurohockey Youth Nations Championship

There were mixed fortunes for Ireland’s U18 squads in the Eurohockey Youth Nations Championship in Edinburgh at the weekend, with the girls losing 2-0 to winners England and the boys losing their final match 3-2 to hosts Scotland.

Ireland’s girls’ final match was dead rubber, as England’s victory over Holland on Friday had removed any prospect of a medal for the Irish. However, the team finished off a successful campaign with another top four finish, despite Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to the eventual tournament winners, England.

Ireland’s boys rounded off a disappointing tournament with a 3-2 loss to hosts Scotland. Goals from Captain Neil Hamilton and Chris Gregg were not enough to prevent the team’s fifth defeat of the tournament and relegation to Trophy status for 2009.

Attention now turns to the senior squads with Ireland’s national teams launching their first attempt on Olympic qualification at the Eurohockey Nations Championship in Manchester in August.

www.hockey.ie

Despite creating chances and earning themselves eight penalty corner’s the U18 boys came away with a two one loss against the French in their second game of the Eurohockey Youth Nations Championship.

France opened their account in the forty fifth minute with an open play goal to go one nil ahead. Ryan McCrea didn’t take long to find an answer and with quick reactions on a rebound he flicked the ball into the right hand corner of the French goal to equalise.

The game looked likely to close out with a one all draw when at the end of the seventy minutes France earned themselves their second penalty corner of the match which was saved by a good Irish defence but a foul in the circle gave the French another chance through another penalty corner which they converted through second phase play from a shot at the top right hand side of the circle.

Commenting after the game was Manager Stephen Cuddy “We are very disappointed as for 55 minutes we bossed the game and create chances. Chris Gregg & Ryan McCrea had excellent chances saved. We are also disappointed that we didn’t make more of our corners and we need to pick ourselves for tomorrow’s match although at this stage we can still not make top four.”

“But we are pleased with the guy’s work rate out there however we need to be more clinical in the circle.” He continued

Ireland Win Men’s Setanta Sports Trophy!

Sunday, 17 June 2007

Ireland have won the inaugural Men’s Setanta Sports Trophy this evening, beating Canada 2-1 in the final. Wales finished 3rd, beating Egypt on penalty strokes after the sides had drawn 1-1 after extra time.

A good crowd gathered to watch Ireland take on Canada again, Ireland having prevailed in their previous match on Wednesday 3-2. However, it was the Canadians who dominated affairs in the first half of a tight match, where there were few chances or penalty corners. In the opening ten minutes, Canada pressed the Irish back four, that was missing Iain Lewers through injury. And the visitors calved out the games first opportunity in the 12th minute, when Rob Short’s backhand shot was saved low to Mark Ruddle’s right.

Ireland’s first chance didn’t come until the 23rd minute, when a cross from the right from Phelie Maguire was deflected by Andy Barbour, but not on goal. But Canada continued to dominate with veteran Canadian captain Rob Short marshalling the midfield. In the 26th minute, a great ball by Scott Sandison found Ravi Kahlon, but he crashed his shot high and left.

In the second half, Ireland improved their defensive structure and came more into the game. And the hosts duly took the lead on the second of consecutive penalty corners on 47 minutes, John Jermyn dragflicking high into the top left hand corner of the Mahood goal for his fourth goal of the tournament. Eugene Magee nearly made it 2-0 straight from the restart with a fine run through midfield, but he couldn’t get his shot away as he fell.

Ireland began to enjoy increased possession as the second half drew on, with Andy Barbour and Geoff McCabe excelling. And seven minutes from time, Ireland got their second and decisive goal. A quick counter attack found Geoff McCabe who rifled a quick shot which was saved by Mahood. But Munster’s David Hobbs was on hand to tap into the open goal between his legs with his back to goal.

In the final minutes, Canada pressed hard for a goal as Ireland defended their lead and their consolation goal came on the final whistle from a short corner.

So Ireland claimed their first Setanta Sports Trophy, with Canadian Rob Short winning the Player of the Tournament award.

Afterwards, coach Dave Passmore said, “Whilst lacking in the attacking creativity of yesterday, this was a strong defensive performance and we ground out a result. This is a pleasing aspect, especially given we are in the heaviest phase of our physical training.”

In the Trophy’s other game, Wales claimed 3rd place. The sides finished 1 all and extra time could not separate the sides. In the ensuing penalty stroke competition, Wales won 5-4.

Final Positions

Ireland
Canada
Wales
Egypt

############
Germany Win Women’s Setanta Sports Trophy!

Sunday, 17 June 2007

Germany have claimed the inaugural Women’s Setanta Sports Trophy at the National Hockey Stadium this afternoon, with an exciting 5-2 defeat of South Africa in the Final. Ireland claimed 3rd place, defeating Scotland 2-1 earlier in the day.

Germany opened the scoring in just the 4th minute, Maike Stoeckel arriving late to power home for 1-0. And it was 2-0 after 18 minutes, Natascha Keller driving into the circle and her weak backhand shot finding its way through thanks to an effective screen across the South African goalie from a German attacker.

Germany continued to dominate possession, but South Africa almost got a goal back from a penalty corner in the final play of the half.

South Africa started the second half brightly and nearly scored but the South Africa attacker couldn’t round Frank in the German goal. And they got their deserved breakthrough with fifteen minutes remaining. A penalty corner broke down, but Leslie-Anne George fed the ball back into the danger zone for Shelly Russell to poke home from close range.

At 2-1 it wa game on again, but the Olympic Champions responded ruthlessly, forcing three penalty corners in the next five minutes and converting two of them for 4-1 and effectively end-of-game. The first was a beautifully worked slip-left move and drag flick high into the top lefthand corner of the goal by Anke Kuhn, who celebrated her 100th cap for Germany yesterday against Ireland. The second goal, and Germany’s 4th, was scored by Fanny Rinne on a rebound from a drag flick to the goalie’s pads.

Despite the scoreline, South Africa battled on and had a short corner deflected over with eight minutes to go. And two minutes later, they won a penalty stroke when a South African attacker was bowled over attempting to convert the rebound from a penalty corner. Captain Marsha Marescia made no mistake from the spot flick for 4-2.

But Germany weren’t done yet and had the final say with 5th goal from a penalty corner in the last play of the game, Maria Muller firing home from a slip right.

In the 3rd place play-off match earlier in the morning, Scotland started well, taking the lead in the 18th minute with a field goal from captain Linda Clement.

But Ireland were back on terms eight minutes later when Roisin Flinn beat several Scottish defenders in the circle before slotting home a backhand shot low to equalise.

Cathy McKean should have given Ireland the lead minutes later when she rounded the Scottish goalie, only to drag her shot to the open goal wide on the lefthand post. And she came close again in the 33rd minute, just failing to connect with an excellent attacking aerial into the circle from Nikki Symmons.

Ireland opened the second half with a penalty corner which was saved. But from then on, Scotland dominated play, controlling possession well and penning the Irish into their own half. However, despite being unable to properly clear the ball or hold possession, Ireland’s defence held up and the Scotland carved few clear cut opportunities with their best chance coming from a shot from Cheryl Valentine that was saved by Healy after some good Scottish work down the left by-line.

McKean came close again twelve minutes from time but failed to round the goalie after an Ireland breakaway.

But the winning goal came from an Irish penalty corner that had been won by Jenny McDonough in the 9th minute. Munster’s Cliodhna Sargent stepped up to score her first goal for Ireland with a fine strike to the bottom lefthand corner of the goal.

Scotland continued to press for an equaliser and Ireland continued to make heavy weather of clearing their lines and stringing passes together. But the Irish hung on and indeed could have added another when McKean robbed possession deep in Scottish territory, but her shot was saved.

So Germany claimed the inaugural Setanta Sports Trophy, with inspirational midfielder Fanny Rinne claiming the ESB Player of the Tournament.

Final Standings

1) Germany

2) South Africa

3) Ireland

4) Scotland

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Ireland came from two goals down to beat world champions Germany three two to give the Irish a rare win over the World Champions.
 
After yesterday evenings three nil defeat to Germany Ireland certainly stepped up their game when they took on the Germans again this morning as part of a double header weekend. 
 
The Germans opened the scoring this morning in the thirty third minute when Fritz Montang converted a German penalty corner to give his country the edge just before half time. 
 
Only four minutes into the second half Iain Walker made a superb initial save from another German penalty corner but quick reactions from Sebastian Draghun doubled the German’s score.
 
In the 53rd minute the Irish finally opened their score line when Watt converted a rebound from an initial penalty corner. Eight minutes later Magee won Ireland a penalty corner, which was converted by Butler to bring the two countries level. 
 
The last five minutes saw Ireland push forward and create some good attacking play. The attacking style paid off when Ireland was awarded two penalty corners in the last minute of play, Butler’s initial drag flick was blocked down but quick reactions from the experienced player meant he made no mistakes on the rebound to give Ireland a superb win over Germany. 
 
Commenting after the game was Coach Passmore “A pleasing win but we have to be aggressive and positive at the start of games, not when we are losing. Hopefully we can pick up from here at the Setanta Sports Trophy.”

Gene Muller today announced his squad to play against the Scottish this coming weekend in UCD. After resting a number of the better known players last weekend, Muller has called a number of them back into the squad for the forthcoming matches.

“This will be our last preparation event before the Setanta Sports trophy in Dublin.  The team is a more experienced than the one that played against the Netherlands Antilles, although we will be without  the services of Linda Caulfield who is recovering from injury.  Scotland will be a good test for us as they have a similar ranking to us and will be in a similar preparation phase.” Commented Muller earlier today.

Name    Club    Caps
1. Hannah Bowe  Armagh   9
2. Emma Clarke  Randalstown   14
3. Aine Connery  Cork University  6
4. Eimear Cregan  Cork Harlequins  100
5. Roisin Flinn   UCD    10
6. Mary Goode  Pembroke Wanderers   21
7. Emer Harte   Chelmsford   13
8. Louisa Healy  Loreto    11
9. Jenny McDonough  Belfast Harlequins  73
10. Shirley McKay  Randalstown   10
11. Cathy McKean  Loreto    65
12. Bridget McKeever  Ballymoney   76
13. Ciara O’Brien  Chelmsford   112
14. Jill Orbinson  Pegasus   124
15. Alex Speers  Pegasus   19
16. Emma Stewart  Armagh   26
17. Nikki Symmons  Eintr. Braunschweig  62

Match Schedule:

Friday 1st June  Ireland V Scotland 7pm, UCD
Saturday 2nd June Ireland V Scotland 3pm, UCD
Sunday 3rd June Ireland V Scotland  2pm, UCD

http://www.europeanirish.com/Sport/hockey.htm

###

U18 Girls Squad Announced for the EuroHockey Youth Nations Championship

Coach Mick McKinnon announced his squad of 18 to bring to Edinburgh to compete in the EuroHockey Youth Nations Championship this coming July.
 
Commenting on his selection Coach McKinnon commented “Selecting this squad has been a hard job due to the depth of talent at this level. It is a young group with the vast majority having at least one more year ahead at this level.”
 
The following 18 have been selected:
 
Grace O’Flanagan   Railway Union
Helen Stevenson     Belfast Harlequins
Lauren Barr            Ballymoney
Caoimhe Bourke     Catholic Institute
Rosie Carrigan        Galway
Elizabeth Colvin      Armagh
Zara Delany            Loreto
Nicola Evans           Hermes
Megan Frazer          Priorians
Michelle Harvey       Victorians
Kate McConnell       Pegasus
Elizabeth McInerney  Hermes
Rachel Mulligan        Armagh
Anna O’Flanagan      Hermes
Stephanie Quinn      Armagh
Katherine Steenson  Armagh
Amy Stewart            Armagh
Chloe Watkins         Hermes

Ireland V The Netherlands, Bellevue Manchester (14.00 Tuesday, May 22nd)

The Irish women took on The Netherlands once again this afternoon as part of a two match friendly international series. Ireland have used these two matches are part of their build up towards the EuroHockey Nations Championship taking place this coming August.

In an Irish performance that was more impressive than the previous night’s game against the Dutch, head coach, Muller seemed pleased with their progress “We were much better today and we competed in defence and created more in attack than yesterday. It was a case of getting used to the pace of the Dutch, we did concede goals off three of their five corners which is an aspect that demands attention in our next matches.”

The Irish started much better than the previous night and it showed when it took the Dutch twenty minutes of play before they got their first on target shot which keeper Louisa Healy cleared from the line.

When the Dutch managed to penetrate the Irish goal they did it in style with two drag flicks from Kim Lammers who dragged the ball passed the Irish defence with speed from two consecutive penalty corners in the 25th and 27th minute to go two nil up before half time.
Ireland looked like they may find an answer before half time through some good attacking play from McDonagh and Cregan but the Dutch defence kept them at bay.

First half closed 2:0

The second half started with the Dutch putting the Irish defence under pressure but cool headedness at the back kept Ireland competing. Ireland’s forwards got to see more of the ball today and the attacking play eventually paid off in the twentieth minute when a Parkhill free hit found McKean to roof the ball into the Dutch net with a superb deflection.

With only four minutes left on the clock the Dutch sealed their second victory in a row with a third goal when Fatima Moreiar De Melo converted a penalty corner.

The Irish camp will travel home later this evening and will face The Netherland Antilles in a three day series in UCD next weekend as part of their continuing build up over the Summer.

Irish Squad V The Netherlands

1.         Hannah Bowe    ( Armagh )       
2.         Eimear Cregan  ( Cork Harlequins)
3.         Emma Clarke ( Randalstown )
4.         Mary Goode ( Pembroke Wanderers )
5.         Louisa Healy (Loreto)
6.         Lisa Jacob ( Hermes )
7.         Jenny Mc Donough ( Belfast Harlequins )
8.         Shirley McKay ( Randalstown )
9.         Cathy McKean (Loreto)
10.       Bridget McKeever ( Ballymoney )
11.       Rachel Mulligan ( Armagh )
12.       Ciara O’Brien ( Chelmsford )
13.       Jill Orbinson  ( Pegasus )
14.       Clare Parkhill ( Randalstown )
15.       Nikki Symmons (Eintr. Braunschweig)

Ireland V The Netherland Antilles
Match 1:           Saturday 26th May 19.00          UCD
Match 2:           Sunday 27th May 15.00            UCD
Match 3:           Monday 28th May 9.00            UCD

Check out Irish Hockey website

Gene Muller and his team took on the world number ones late yesterday evening in the first of two friendly Internationals. These matches are taking place in Bellevue, Manchester giving both teams the chance to test out the surface for the forthcoming Eurohockey Nations Championship.

Despite loosing three nil, Ireland had chances of their own and no doubt seeing Ireland pitched against the world number ones will have given Coach Muller areas to focus on, “We did not adapt well to the tempo of the match. I felt we were chasing the game and not controlling aspects of it. That will be our focus for today to control our tempo in possession.” stated Muller.

The Dutch played like the world champions they are and they showed their intentions when they hit post in first five minutes resulting in two Irish defenders coming to rescue to clear the Irish line. Keeper Mary Goode was kept busy and forced to make a number of excellent saves, keeping the Irish score sheet clean. The Dutch had at least five penalty corners in the first half but excellent defensive work and good sweeping off the pads from Emma Clarke kept Ireland in the game.

Ireland were not without their own chances and penetrated the Dutch circle to put the Dutch under some defensive pressure of their own. An excellent chance from Rachel Mulligan saw her shot go high over the bar.

The first half looked likely to close out scoreless until excellent Dutch attacking play from left to right yielded a superb reverse stick shot to find the back of the Irish net in the 30th minute. (Half time 1:0)

It didn’t take the Dutch long to double their lead and ten minutes into the second half they converted the first penalty corner of the second half, despite a great initial save by Goode, the rebound saw the second goal.

The Dutch continued with strong attacking play and Ireland defended patiently and showed a good work rate. Despite the Dutch earning five corners in a fifteen minute period of play Ireland kept their goal clean. Ireland’s own attacking play saw McDonagh, McKean and McKay force the Dutch keeper into making saves, before an excellent goal scored in the 69th minute copper fastened the Dutch victory with a three nil win.

Ireland will play The Netherlands again later this afternoon at 2pm, they will be without captain Linda Caulfield who has been ruled out due to an ankle injury she received in last night’s game.

Irish Squad V The Netherlands

1. Hannah Bowe   (Armagh)
2. Eimear Cregan (Cork Harlequins)
3. Linda Caulfield (Hermes) – Ruled out for Match 2
4. Emma Clarke (Randalstown)
5. Mary Goode (Pembroke Wanderers)
6. Louisa Healy (Loreto)
7. Lisa Jacob (Hermes)
8. Jenny Mc Donough (Belfast Harlequins)
9. Shirley McKay (Randalstown)
10. Cathy McKean (Loreto)
11. Bridget McKeever (Ballymoney)
12. Rachel Mulligan (Armagh)
13. Ciara O’Brien (Chelmsford)
14. Jill Orbinson (Pegasus)
15. Clare Parkhill (Randalstown)
16. Nikki Symmons (Eintr. Braunschweig)

CHECK OUT Irish Hockey in Europe News and reports

Ireland’s Senior Men will travel to Germany at the end of this month to play the World Champions Germany as part of their continued build up to the Europeans this coming August.

Match Schedule:

Saturday 26th May        1600 local time             Neuss hockey Club, Monchengladbach

Sunday 27th May          1100 local time Warteiner National Hockey Stadium

Details:
www.irishsportscouncil.ie

What now of little Madeleine McCann?  

Is the little girl still alive somewhere and all the current distraction taking from finding her?
Or has she died - did she die that evening - are her parents involved in her death, and a huge cover-up- or is it a huge set-up ? Is there Portuguese police pressure to find some resolution to this - are Gerry and Kate an easy obvious target? Is there evidence planted? or is this something much more sinister - is it a horror story to think that Maddie’s parents are involved in orchestrating her dissappearance - and utimate death?
So many questions - no answers - no little Madeleine.
In Ireland, The Robert Holohan case with communities and a whole nation out looking for a little boy who had vanished - to find a story much closer to home of his death at the hands of a neighbour ‘friend’, and a disposal of his body in a bogland … are there similarities to be drawn here? Time will tell - or will we ever really know?

http://europeanirish.com/blog/2007/09/17/what-do-you-think-happened-little-madeleine-mccann-2

What do you think happened?

####

Have you seen Maddie McCann?

SEND YOUR COMMENTS - CLICK HERE

A three-year-old British girl Madeleine McCann is feared abducted after vanishing from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz Portugal.

Have you seen her?

Her parents have plenty Irish connections, particularly in Co.Donegal.

If you see Madeleine (Maddie), contact interpol or your local police straight away.

Crimestoppers created the number
0044-188 373 1336, for routing phone calls from Portugal to its normal 0800- 555111 number.

Lagos Police - 00 351 282 76 29 30UK: 0044 20 7782 4105Full stories at http://news.sky.com/skynews/madeleine

SEND YOUR COMMENTS - CLICK HERE 

For Information on the Many Missing Irish People at home and abroad - maybe you can help… MISSING IRISH PEOPLE  This website was established to help find missing Irish persons. One phone call could end the nightmare for so many. If you wish to call home, have information about a missing person, or are concerned about a missing friend or relative, CLICK HERE for details on how to reach us.   For the current listing of other missing persons:http://www.missing.ws/
_missingPersons/missingPersons.asp 

Have you seen her?

Her parents have plenty Irish connections, particularly in Co.Donegal.

If you see Madeleine (Maddie), contact interpol or your local police straight away.

Crimestoppers created the number
0044-188 373 1336, for routing phone calls from Portugal to its normal 0800- 555111 number.

Lagos Police - 00 351 282 76 29 30UK: 0044 20 7782 4105Full stories at http://news.sky.com/skynews/madeleine

SEND YOUR COMMENTS - CLICK HERE

RTE carries a report of Ireland`s Ice Hockey team having won Silver in the Division Three  World Championships, and securing promotion to Division 2.

It reports on Ireland`s dramatic comeback from 1-3 down to tie the game and take the decider against Luxembourg to a penalty shoot-out, which Ireland won.
Ireland’s 3  penalty takers were Robert Leckey, Mark Morrison and Trevor Kennedy.

Pegaus took on old rivals Hermes on Sunday in the Finals of the ESB All Ireland Club Championship 2007 in UCD. Pegasus, the stronger side on the day beat Hermes three goals to one to add another trophy along side their recent ESB Irish Senior Cup win.
Click for all details…

Pembroke Wanderers won back the title of All Ireland Club Champions when the beat Cork Harlequins three one in a thrilling final.
Click for all details…

The Irish Senior Cups were won by Glenanne (Men) and Pegasus (Women)

 Glenanne claimed the 2007 Men’s Irish Senior Cup against Annadale with a dramatic golden goal winner in extra time of a thrilling final at the National Hockey Stadium.
Insh international ace Stephen Butler stepped up to convert Glenanne’s solitary short corner to claim the Cup 4-3 and put the West Dublin side into the new Eurohockey Club League, should Ireland be awarded two places.

Click here for Details

The Womens trophy was won 1-0 by Pegasus over Pembroke, Claire McMahon scoring the decider.

www.hockey.ie