THE Irish men suffered a shock defeat on the second day of the European Team Championships in Amsterdam yesterday where a 3-1 loss to Denmark ended their hopes of promotion back to the top division of European nations.
Derek Ryan made short work of Danish number one Carsten Vinter whom he beat in straight games but Stevie Richardson lost out by a point in a five game battle with Michael Hansen before Eoin Ryan went under in four to Mikkel Korsbjerg.
Brian O'Connor, in again for the injured Maurice Collins needed to beat Kasper Bodenhoff to save the match for the Irish but tailed to take even a game from his opponent and, having beaten the Portuguese 4-0 earlier in the day, it is the Danes who now go forward from Pool D to the promotion play offs.
In the women's event, Ireland suffered an expected defeat at the hands of the third seeded Germans with Anna McGeever the only player to take a game and the Irish now play off for fifth place while aiming to at least stay in the top eight.
In the new men's world ranking list, meanwhile, Derek Ryan has moved to number 15 despite showing some disappointing form on the international circuit since Christmas. His new ranking is two places higher than previously and, with one place usually going to local wild card entries at tournaments, will guarantee him entry to the first round of all of the major PSA events.
