Men's Hockey: Playing vigorously and skilfully to their true capabilities, Ireland dealt efficiently with Italy's challenge to the tune of 4-0 in the European Nations Cup qualifying tournament at Belfield last night and will top Pool B after the formality of tomorrow's game against Finland, writes Dermot Ashmore.
There will be the mixed blessing probably of facing Wales in the vital first crossover match on Saturday, for the Welsh were stung yesterday by a 1-0 defeat by Austria, who will be the Pool A winners.
Ireland scored twice in each half last night, breaking the Italian resistance at an early stage with a penalty stroke converted clinically by Stephen Butler, followed by a lightening reverse stick strike by Gordon Elliott in the 22nd minute.
Elliott scored again, this time from a short corner, midway through the second period and Jason Black put away the fourth goal after Colina Nassimo had parried a set piece shot by Chris Jackson.
Ireland: N Henderson (capt); P Brown, D Smyth, E Lutton, J Black; M Raphael, S Butler, M Black; J Sherriff, M Irwin, G Elliott. Subs: C Jackson, J Stevenson, G Shaw, D Hobbs.
European Nations Cup Qualifying Tournament (Belfield) - Men: Pool A: Austria 1 (A Gunther), Wales 0; Gibraltar 8 (G Leigh 3, R Guillino 2, M Wood , K Stagno, G Henwood), Greece 1 (P Dramytinos).Pool B: Finland 3 (J Callio, T Nieminen, M Nyman), Malta 0; Ireland 4 (S Butler pen, G Elliott 2, J Black), Italy 0.
Tomorrow (Thurs) Pool A: Austria v Greece, 9.0; Wales v Gibralta 11.0; Pool B: Ireland v Finland, 5.0; Italy v Malta 5.0 (Grange Road).
Golf: Derek McNamara produced a flawless 70 in the opening strokeplay qualifying round of the European Youths Amateur team championships in Gdansk, Poland, yesterday to put Ireland in a strong position to clinch a place in the top matchplay flight.
The Connemara man was well supported by Shandon Park's Alistair McKinley with a 71, and Robert McCarthy, of The Island, was round in 72.
Ireland's five player aggregate was 364, eight strokes behind joint leaders England and Spain. They are in fourth place going into the second and final qualifying round today.
The Irish also are still in with a shout of making the top flight in the European Boys' team championship in Reykjavik, Iceland, but they still have a bit of work to do as they are currently in 10th spot, five strokes behind the eight placed Scotland.
Meanwhile, it was a disappointing day in the European Under-21 Women's team championship in Moscow as Ireland are last of the 13 nations.
European Youth's Team Championship: 356 England,356 Spain, 361 Germany, 364 Ireland (70 D McNamara; 71 A McKinley;72 R McCarthy; 75 B McElhinney; 76 D Crowe; 81 S McTeenan (discounted) 367 France, 368 Scotland, 368 Sweden, 368 Wales.
European Boy's Team Championship: 364 Spain, 369 Sweden, 371 Denmark, 372 Wales, 379 England, 380 Finland, 384 France, 386 Scotland, 387 Belgium, 391 Ireland (74 C Bowe, 78 G Shaw, 79 D Rawluk, 80 M McTiernan, 80 M Mullyan, 81 J Cauldwell (discounted)) 393 Italy.
