Ireland

By Ruth Gorman

IRELAND'S U-18 boys are guaranteed a place in the final shake up for a set of medals at the European Championships despite a 1-0 defeat by Spain yesterday in Poland.

Other results went in their favour with the result that the lads in green are now on course for silverware for the third such tournament in a row.

It's been a great tournament so far with yesterday's result Ireland's first defeat of the competition.

Earlier Ireland had drawn with England and beaten Scotland.

But while England failed to join the Irish in the medal frame the Scots did qualify.

After a rest day today, Ireland go into the play-offs tomorrow and Sunday which will determine their fate.

Yesterday Ireland had their chances but Spain got the only goal of the game from a disputed penalty stroke in the 25th minute.

* IRELAND'S U-18 girls are also guaranteed a place in the medal play offs after they comfortably defeated their hosts 7-0 yesterday at the European Championships in Poland.

Mick MacKinnon's girls got off to a great start with Emer Lucey giving them the lead after nine minutes.

Lucey was on target again in the 22nd minute and further goals from Julia O'Halloran and Jamie Deacon gave Ireland a 4-0 advantage going into the break.

After the restart Lisa Jacob made it five, which was the scoreline Ireland needed to reach the medal play offs.

O'Halloran and Rebecca Dallas from Ulster also added their names to the scoresheet to wrap up a convincing victory.

England or Germany along with Holland and Spain will be in the playoffs along with Ireland starting tomorrow and concluding on Sunday.

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