Under 18s and Leinster squads return in triumph

THE triumphant Irish under 18 triple crown winners and the Leinster senior squad converged at Dublin Airport on Sunday night after arriving from Edinburgh and Dusseldorf, respectively.

While the boys' side had outplayed England at Livingston, the Leinster squad also finished their training trip to Germany with a notable conquest in beating a leading Bundesliga side, Rot Weiss Cologne, 2-1.

A last minute short corner goal by Liam Canning meant that all three games were won - but the last one was the most prestigious.

Canning had also poached the lead but an equaliser had come from no less a figure than the multi capped German international Wolke Freid.

Ireland striker Canning scored twice in each match, the other results being 3-1 against Bayer Leverkusen and 6-1 against Schwarz Weiss Cologne.

Galahad Goulet, with one Irish cap to his credit, played precociously in midfield while Dessie Farrell, enjoying his challenge away from Dublin football fields, was the bulwark of the defence.

The enterprising trip also involved unstinting work outs at the Cologne hockey centre.

It is a pity that the Irish under 18s cannot spread their wings more widely. A side including John Ahern and Graham Shaw of this season's squad beat Germany for the first time in the European Youth Olympics in Bath last year.

But because of a lack of funds, they miss the opportunity of competition on the Continent, whereas England and Scotland will be playing in Paris at Easter.

Ireland will need more exposure in the future, especially with the revamped European under 21 championship now being staged every two years, starting in 1998.

Under 18 coach George Blackwood, incidentally, appears to have the credentials for this assignment.

While the strike force, supercharged by Justin Sherriff, was particularly impressive in the demolition of England on Sunday, the defenders excelled, too not least Chris Beere and Colin Clarke.

There are some resourceful youngsters emerging at under 16 level, among whom Allan Kershaw, Karl Burns, David Shaw and Ian Allen were to the fore with David Eakins and Cliff Bailey at Livingston.

Ireland's only lapse was a disastrous start against Scotland, yet the side still had the spirit to fight back from arrears of 4-0 before losing 5-3.