HOCKEY: Although losing 2-1 to France yesterday, Ireland's under-18 boys have reached the top four play-offs in the European Youth Nations' Cup in Rotterdam.
Vitally, Mark Gleghorne scored from a short corner two minutes from the end to put Ireland through on goal difference from the French who had snatched a 2-0 lead going into the closing stages.
Ireland, who defeated Spain and Holland earlier in the week, now take on Germany and Belgium, who advanced from the other pool. Holland also remain in the reckoning as a result of beating Spain 3-0.
The Irish under-16s lost 4-2 to France, rallying in the second half with goals by Keith Black and Robbie McFarlane.
Meanwhile, the Irish girls' under-18 team took third place in their pool with a 1-1 draw against France (Jill Stewart got the Irish goal) while the under-16s face Belgium and Poland over the weekend in the fifth-eighth place play-offs following their scoreless draw with the French.
EUROPEAN YOUTH NATIONS' CUP (Rotterdam): Boys under 18: France 2 Ireland 1 (M Gleghorne); under 16: France 4 Ireland 2 (K Black, R McFarlane).
EUROPEAN NATIONS CUP (at Rotterdam): Girls' under-16: Ireland 0, France 0. Girls' under-18: Ireland 1 (J Stewart), France 1.
