HOCKEY/European Under-21 Championships: Ireland will not be represented next summer in either the men's or women's under-21 World Cups after play-off matches in Belgium and Dublin went against the Irish.

At Belfield, the women's team lost 4-1 to Belarus in the critical first play-off match, in which victory would have guaranteed a place in Europe's top six. The men went down narrowly to Poland 3-2 after the sides ended 2-2 in normal time and Poland went on to win in the final minutes of a golden-goal period.

The results kept both sides out of the top six in Europe, which rules them out of next summer's premier world event. It also means both under-21 sides will fall into the B Division of European hockey for the 2006 competition.

For the women, it was a disappointing end as Belarus deservedly took their opportunities to put Ireland to the sword after the home team took an early lead through Nicki Keegan. Her deflection on 11 minutes from Ireland's third penalty corner put the home side in front until five minutes from the break.

It was then captain Volha Shyntor who grabbed two goals in as many minutes, one a direct strike on their fourth penalty corner, the second coming from a well-worked run up the left and around the back line. As the Irish defence was sucked across, Shyntor was free to flick past goalkeeper Alison Lappin for 2-1.

At that stage Belarus were well on top and continued that advantage into the second half. Although Ireland won a series of penalty corners, 11 in all, their routines fractured under the pressure. Shyntor claimed her hat-trick on 55 minutes before Yulie Piatrova put paid to any hopes of an Ireland fightback when her flick in a crowded circle found the net on 63 minutes.

For the men it was marginal, and perhaps a more agonising end, as they twice led against Poland in Nivelles. Mark Robinson put Ireland ahead after 15 minutes from a penalty corner switch before Poland equalised 30 seconds from the break. Ireland again took the lead at a penalty corner through Tim Cockram but Poland came back in the final minute of the game to draw level for a second time.

In the golden-goal period Ireland once more created but could not convert, Poland defiantly striking in the last minute of the allocated time for a 3-2 win.

Ireland now play off for seventh-eighth position in both competitions, the women facing France this morning at 10.30 in UCD and the men playing Scotland.

RESULTS - fifth-sixth play-off matches - Men: Ireland 2 (M Robinson, T Cockram), Poland 3 (golden goal); Women: Ireland 1 (N Keegan), Belarus 4 (V Shyntor 3, Y Piatrova).