After Saturday's 3-1 defeat of Italy to gain Serie A First Division status in the European under-21 hockey championship. Ireland also took the B Division laurels by outclassing France 4-0 in yesterday's final in Padova.
This success - the first time that Ireland has won an official European nations tournament - will give much encouragement to Irish teams at all levels, not least the squad who will be travelling for the senior championship in September next year, in Padova.
As many as five of the under-21s may well be in the reckoning for a return to Italy as well. Among them notably are Chris Jackson, already a senior international, and Justin Sherriff, the country's leading striker, who finished as the tournament's top marksman with 11 goals in the five games.
He was also voted the outstanding player of the championship.
Individuals apart, the whole team played splendidly and outshone the favourites France in all sectors. The French had won the Celtic Cup in the last two years, but this time they could not contain the free-flowing Irish side.
Ireland swept into the attack from the start; but had only one goal to show for their dominance of the first quarter, Gary McKee, whipping home a short corner after six minutes.
Although the French pressed strongly before half-time, they were denied by the defiant goalkeeping of Dale McNeill.
Ireland returned to the offensive - especially through the flying Jackson - to go two up as Sherriff sent a set piece strike to the back board to make it 2-0.
The captain, David Smyth, who had an outstanding tournament to mark his 21st birthday at the weekend, was up in support of his attackers to earn a penalty stroke which Andrew Chambers converted and in the last minute Graham Shaw snapped up the fourth goal to complete an admirable performance.
On Saturday, it took much concentration and patience by Smyth and his cohorts to break down the Italians, who packed the midfield area and marked tightly and uncompromisingly. But after a scoreless first half, several judicious switches by coach George Blackwood - giving Dawie Holley and Julian Lewis more central roles - saw Ireland increase the tempo and strike decisively with three goals in five minutes after the interval.
It was at this stage, too, that Jason Black played a particularly vital part in the victory. First, when the Italians had threatened to make the initial breakthrough, Black cleared with composure and then supported an attack by McKee and Garry Ringwood to lay on a path for Sherriff to put away the opening goal.
Next, from a resourcefully taken short corner, McKee clinically increased the lead and the third goal came from a marvellous thrust down the right flank by Jackson, leaving Sherriff to add the finishing touch for his 10th goal of the tournament.
Giorgio Caria reduced the deficit with a reverse stick shot out of reach of McNeill.
Ireland (v France) D McNeill; C Clarke, D Holley, D Smyth (capt), J Black; B Waring, J Lewis, G McKee; G Shaw, C Jackson, J Sherriff. Subs: G Ringwood, M Black, A Chambers.
European Under-21 championship B Division, in Padova (Saturday): 5th to 8th place play-offs (first series) - Czech Republic 4 Gibraltar 1; Denmark 3 Portugal 2; Semi-finals: Ireland 3 (J Sherriff 2; G Mckee) Italy 1; France 4 Wales 0. Yesterday - 7th/8th place play-off: Portugal 4 Gibraltar 0; 5th/6th: Czech Republic 7 Denmark 0; 3rd/4th: Italy 4 Wales 3 (aet Golden goal); Final: Ireland 4 (G McKee, J Sherriff, A Chambers pen str, G Shaw) France 0.
Promoted to A Division: Ireland, France, Italy.
