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Monday, 8 July, 2002, 09:22 GMT 10:22 UK
Irish boys create history
Irish boys celebrating after victory in Rotterdam
Ireland's under-18 boys side created a little bit of hockey history at the weekend when they won the Youth Nations Cup in Rotterdam.
Coached by Ulster's Stephen Watt and captained by provincial colleague Tim Cockram, the side became the first Irish team to win an A Division European title. Success came on top of a handsome 4-1 victory over Belgium late on Sunday evening. Victory was assured when Germany who defeated Ireland 3-1 on Saturday, had been held to a 2-2 draw. The Irish boys got away to the perfect start against Belgium when Phelie Maguire knocked in the opening goal. RBAI student Mark Gleghorne and Cockram also got on the scoresheet with Maguire bagging his second late in the game. Earlier in the tournament, Ireland reached the top four shoot-out with 1-0 victories over Spain and Holland although they went down 2-1 to France. The success will give the senior Irish team a boost as they head into Monday's European Championship qualifying tournament in Dublin.
Ireland open up against Malta (1700 BST) before facing Finland on Tuesday (1900 BST) and Italy on Wednesday (1700 BST).
The young Irish are coached by former international and Ulster defender John Clarke, whose aim is the make their 2003 European finals in Barcelona. ''It is a very good squad to work with, and if they play the way they are capable, they can achieve our first objective of reaching the Euro finals,'' said Clarke. ''But because it is a young squad, they are still gaining experience. ''In fact, we are at a very good stage of development. 'If we make Barcelona, the bulk of the players in the squad will be in their mid-twenties with around 50 caps'' The ladies are also in action in the European Nations Cup qualifying tournament in Dublin. They face Finland on Monday, Poland on Tuesday and France on Wednesday (all 1900 BST).
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