Both Irish sides chalked up rare victories over England, albeit by the narrowest of margins. A draw will therefore be enough for both outfits to claim overall honours on home turf tomorrow; the girls are first up against Scotland (10.30am), while the boys take on Wales two hours later.

The boys came from behind to record a deserved 2-1 victory over England, meaning Graeme Francey’s troops are the only side with maximum points from their first two games and are, as such, now in the driving seat to carry off the title on home turf in Cork.

The Irish U18 boys celebrate their second goal against England. Picture: Adrian Boehm

As if England’s 5-0 destruction of Wales on Saturday wasn’t daunting enough, Wales’ subsequent defeat of Scotland – who Ireland struggled the shrug off in their opener – by the same margin highlight the strength of the challenge facing the boys in green.

Nonetheless, they were the most effective side in a cagey first half, though chances were at a premium – end-line pull-backs from Hugh McShane and William Edgar failed to find the sticks of the onrushing Irish forwards, and that was about as good as it got.

Shane O’Donoghue – scorer of all four of Ireland’s goals against the Scots – was finding giant English goalkeeper Harry Gibson a tougher nut to crack, and saw two first-half drag-flicks saved.

England had created precious little for half an hour, but from their sole short corner of the half, they hit the front on 31 minutes.

Jonathan Gall’s switched slap was deflected straight into Irish netminder Mark Ingram, but Josh Guy was on hand to bury the rebound from the right-hand side for 1-0.

Ireland’s woes were compounded minutes later when Andrew Williamson was yellow-carded for taking down an aerial above shoulder height – a maddening dismissal, given players from both sides had earlier only been cautioned for similar offences.

O’Donoghue then replaced him on the sideline on the 40th minute when he was binned for backchat, seemingly stemming any immediate hopes of an Irish comeback.

But then England’s Alex Czerniweski fell foul of the aerial takedown interpretation, earning a yellow card and conceding a corner.

Ireland's Rebecca Barry gets a tackle in on an English player. Picture: Adrian Boehm

With O’Donoghue kicking his heels and Nick Burns resting, it was left to Shane Madelely to assume the drag-flicking duties. His bottom corner-bound effort was adroitly stick-saved by Gibson, but Tom Samuel was on hand to expertly volley the ball first-time to the far corner from near the push-out spot.

Richard Skyes saved Ireland’s bacon at the other end soon after with a vital mid-air clearance, coming when Ingram was grounded and Nick Bandurak was waiting to pounce.

The game’s pivotal moment then arrived on 52 minutes, when the again-excellent Ben Dobson surged from right-back to win Ireland’s fourth set-piece.

O’Donoghue cracked his drag off the upright and Edger was unable to pounce on the rebound with a reverse, but the ball fell kindly for Samuel who lashed it under the exposed English goalkeeper for his second.

Edgar was inches away from getting a scoring touch to O’Donoghue’s slide-rule ball, after Ian Sloan had brilliantly worked his way out of trouble near the sideline.

But Edgar’s haste to redeem the situation got the better of him when he hacked down Guy from behind, and the Annadale man became the third Irish player to be binned. Guy then did likewise to O’Donoghue 60 seconds later and also saw yellow.

That set up an open 10 vs 10 finale, and it was England who looked likeliest to score; but the Irish corner defence, led by the tenacious Luke Chadwick, cleared the danger to ensure a famous victory.

Meanwhile, a sterling second-half performance helped the Irish girls to a 1-0 win over England.

The girls have yet to conceded a goal in the tournament, and yesterday had local star Amy Kate Trevor — filling in for the injured Nicole Laarhoven in central defence — and midfield schemer Dora Gorman to thank in their 1-0 victory over England.

Ireland celebrate their victory over England at the final whistle. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Gorman — skipper of the Irish U17 soccer side which recently reached a European championship final — played in Emily Beatty, whose cross-shot was deflected home by Katie Codyre for the winner with 12 minutes remaining.

It was just reward for an Irish effort that saw them dominate after the break, and they nearly had a second when Joanne Orr’s initial shot was superbly saved by English keeper Dukie Davies, while Gorman’s follow-up effort was taken off the line by an English defender.

The Irish now play the Scots, who kept mathematically themselves in the hunt for glory thanks to a 2-1 win over Wales.

Heather Elder did the damage once again, scoring both her side’s goals, to add to her strike in the 2-1 reverse to England. The Scottish vice-captain’s pace has been difficult for all defences to deal with, and she will have to be well shackled by Richie Malone’s side tomorrow.

The full set of Adrian Boehm’s pictures will be available on http://irishhockeyphotographers.zenfolio.com from Tuesday.

U18 Four Nations, Garryduff, Cork

Boys

England 5 (G Lilley, J Hardy, N Bandurak, N Giles, R Gilham Jones) Wales 0

Ireland 4 (S O’Donoghue 4) Scotland 2 (B Peterson 2)

Scotland 0 Wales 5 (F Campbell 2, M Pacey 2, S Forman)

Ireland 2 (T Samuel 2) England 1 (J Guy)

Standings: 1 Ireland 6pts (+3) 2 England 3pts (+4) 3 Wales 3pts (0) 4 Scotland 0pts (-7).

Today: England vs Scotland, 8.30am; Ireland vs Wales, 12.30pm.

Girls

England 2 (K Maxey, S Crosley) Wales 1 (R Treharne)

England 2 (J Inverdale, S Beatty) Scotland 1 (H Elder)

Ireland 2 (N Gray, V Surgeoner) Wales 0

Wales 1 (N James) Scotland 2 (H Elder 2)

Ireland 1 (K Codyre) England 0

Standings: 1 Ireland 6pts (+3) 2 England 6pts (+2);  3. Scotland 3pts (0); 4. Wales 0pts (-4)

Today: Ireland vs Scotland, 10.30am.

It was a tale of two halves for the U18 boys in their opener against Scotland, as they almost let a three-goal half-time advantage slip from their grasp, before going on to win 4-2.

Vice-captain Shane O’Donoghue helped himself to all four of those goals, showing why he was Glenanne’s top scorer from play last season – just one of his quartet came from a set-piece.

Vanessa Surgeoner (right) celebrates scoring Ireland's second against Wales. Picture: Ondine Roche

That came inside 90 seconds, when O’Donoghue dragged low and hard to the backboard from Ireland’s second corner.

He should have had another minutes later, after Luke Chadwick had taken out the Scottish keeper Greig Cunningham, but the Dubliner topped his reverse with an unguarded goal gaping.

The game settled down thereafter, albeit with an obvious Irish dominance, apart from when Scotland’s Ben Peterson saw a corner frustratingly given in his favour after he’d rounded Irish netminder Robert Fitzgerald.

That was an indicated of the danger provided by Peterson, but his chance to shine came later on. First, O’Donoghue went on a mission to make amends for his earlier miss, with two goals in as many minutes just before the break.

The first saw him drift across the circle from left to right, before blasting a rocket back across Cunningham to the bottom corner. Then, local boy Nick Burns took down an aerial and fed O’Donoghue, whose reverse from the very edge of the D was hard and true en route to the top left corner.

But after half-time, Ireland fell asleep, and allowed Scotland to catch them on the counter.

Peterson picked up the ball just beyond halfway and gave Tom Samuel – who otherwise was an assured presence in the Irish rearguard – twisted blood, before bettering O’Donoghue’s previous reverse with an effort over Fitzgerald’s shoulder from a tight angle.

And on 47 minutes, he did the damage again, collecting Peter Baldwin’s centre and clinically cutting inside to reverse to the bottom corner.

Ireland’s nerves were clearly frayed, though in Ben Dobson, captain Ian Sloan and Chadwick they had some calming influences. And when the Scots’ Iain Duke was sin-binned for hacking down Chadwick with nine minutes remaining, the life fell out of their challenge.

Ireland finally made sure of victory when Burns steamed down the left and got to the baseline, before flipping the ball back on his reverse to O’Donoghue, who had plenty of time to bury his second reverse-stick effort of the day to the bottom corner.

Ireland have England up next tomorrow (2pm), in a game that looks likely to go a long way to deciding the destination of the title, given England’s 5-0 demolition of Wales this morning.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s girls gave their supporters far too many nervous moments in their 2-0 defeat of Wales, spurning a hatful of chances before eventually grabbing an insurance strike late on.

Ireland's Naomi Carroll (on ground), Emily Beatty and Leah Ewert try to force the ball home. Picture: Ondien Roche

When Nicola Gray’s perfectly-placed short corner bullet rattled the backboard on five minutes, Ireland appeared to have given themselves a platform for a straightforward win.

Wales struggled throughout to get out of their own danger area – making only two meaningful incursions into the Irish half in the second period – as Ireland’s press continually wore them down.

But with goalkeeper Rosanne Thomas in inspired form – she brilliantly thwarted five well-struck corners from Gray, and a Rebecca Barry drag-flick – Wales kept the tie alive.

Ireland were too often profligate of the mountains of possession they received, too often overcomplicating matters in a game where the ball seemingly wouldn’t go in.

The bulk of the best things they did went through right-back Aisling Naughton, midfield general Dora Gorman and the clever runs and layoffs of Naomi Carroll up front.

But when Vanessa Surgeoner saw yellow for backchat, an obviously nervous home crowd’s fears of a mugging  from the visitors grew.

No sooner was Surgeoner restored to the action than Leah Ewert was sent to the sideline for deliberate obstruction, but even during a 17-minute period with ten players, Ireland still largely dominated.

Skipper Deirdre Duke was somehow thwarted by Thomas from point-blank range at the back post, before Emily Beatty – another to shine in green – took out the Welsh keeper and squared for the onrushing Ewert, only for Welsh captain Lucy Thayer to get a crucial diving touch to avert the danger.

Surgeoner was unfairly receiving a hard time from Welsh boo-boys in the crowd, but she silenced them in appropriate style via classy finish with six minutes remaining.

Gorman again was the destructive element as Wales attempted to pass their way out of trouble, and fed the Randalstown hitwoman a bouncing ball on the left.

Sugeoner then succeeded where many of the Irish attackers had failed, by keeping her composure to skilfully dink the ball over the onrushing Thomas’s legs, the spin on the ball taking it in off the far upright.

Ireland's Shane O'Donoghue, scorer of all four goals, surges towards Scotland's Fraser Sands. Picture: Ondine Roche

England recorded 2-1 wins over both Wales and Scotland inside 24 hours, meaning they hold the aces going into tomorrow’s clash with the Irish (6pm).

Josie Inverdale, daughter of renowned BBC sports broadcaster John, was the key to their success over the Scots.

The latter had taken a shock lead through Heather Elder, who chased down a lost cause and first-timed into the far corner from a near-impossible angle for one of the goals of the tournament.

But Inverdale hauled England level with a pinpoint corner shot, before providing the guile in the best move of a poor match, picking out Suzy Petty, who reversed home for the winner with three minutes to go.

Victory tomorrow will guarantee England a winner’s medal, while an Irish victory or a draw will sends the hosts into their final game with the Scots knowing exactly what they need to do to win the tournament.

Ondine Roche’s pictures from today’s action to follow

U18 Four Nations, Cork

Boys

England 5 (George Lilley, Jack Hardy, Nick Bandurak, Nick Giles, Ross Gilham Jones) Wales 0

Ireland 4 (Shane O’Donoghue 4) Scotland 2 (Ben Peterson 2)

Girls

England 2 Wales 1

England 2 (Josie Inverdale, Suzy Beatty) Scotland 1 (Heather Elder)

Ireland 2 (Nicola Gray, Vanessa Surgeoner) Wales 0

The Irish U16 girls management team have this morning strongly refuted Dutch accusations of “physical violence” in yesterday’s EuroHockey Youth Nations Championships semi-finals in Barcelona.

As outlined below, Netherlands coach Kai de Jeger was not happy with the Irish performance, insisting the girls in green “had to intention to play hockey”.

However, in a statement read out to Southern Fried, the Irish management refuted such allegations and accused the Netherlands – who trounced Lithuania 23-0 in a pool game – of a lack of repsect.

“The Irish camp are very unhappy with the label of being physical,” read the statement. “It was a bruising match, with lots of 50-50 balls contested.

“The Irish squad was also unimpressed with the behaviour of the Dutch captain (Frederique Derkx), who refused to play the ball for the last two minutes of the match, as the Irish played a half court defence. She squatted on the 75-yard line, and didn’t play the ball.

“The supporters watching booed, while the Irish players patiently waited (in their half court formation). The Dutch coach later apologised to the Irish management for the behaviour of his captain.

“These (the Dutch) are wonderful hockey players, who play a fast and physical game. But their lack of respect for others at this tournament questions their values and ethics as ambassadors for junior European hockey.”

Back on the pitch, the Irish girls rallied at the death but left it too late as Belgium took bronze at the European Championships in Barcelona with a 2-1 win to end a dramatic week.

Sharp-shooter Katie Mullan fired home a 64th minute corner and pressure in the closing minutes earned another corner on the final whistle for Ireland. But they were unable to convert a set-piece which would have earned extra-time in the third/fourth place playoff.

Belgium had whipped into a 2-0 half-time lead of a tie short on chances. Ireland’s defence, meanwhile, shone in the second period but clear chances only came to the fore belatedly and while the Irish girls poured forward in the last ten minutes, the Belgians stuck it out.

The boys, meanwhile, retained A division status with a 2-2 draw against Poland, playing for the fifth successive game in the midday heat. A ten goal win was needed to snaffle fifth place but that never looked likely and the single point was enough to relegate the Poles.

It was 38 degrees this time around but Ireland recovered from the concession of a seventh minute corner drag-flick to lead 2-1.

David Cole – who was outstanding next to Matthew Rollins in the centre-backs – equalised with a corner effort before Scott Sullivan’s pass picked out Kirk Shimmins to slot home a one-on-one effort.

Again, sharpness in front of goal was a factor in not killing off the tie as two Polish players were sin-binned. They nicked an equaliser a couple of minutes from time with a smart deflection but Ireland held on to stay up.

It ended an, at times, frustrating week for the Irish boys who were competitive in each game and might have pushed on for a medal on another week.

They created numerous chances but lacked the cutting edge – perhaps due to no competitive warm-up fixtures and a three month wait since the school’s league season – to grab vital goals.

U-16 Boys European Championships – Group C final table
1. Russia 7pts (+12) 2. Ireland 5pts (+3) 3. Poland 4pts (-1) 4. Czech Republic 0pts (-15)

Day 4

Ireland’s U16 girls found themselves bizarrely accused of an over-physical approach, as they proved unable to stop a Dutch juggernaut in the EuroHockey Youth Nations Championships semi-finals in Barcelona earlier today.

The Netherlands had hit a remarkable 43 goals in their three pool games,and continued in that vein as captain Frederique Derkx netted four times – two corners and two strokes – in her side’s 5-1 win over the girls in green.

Chloe Brown did pull one back from play to make it 3-1 early in the second half – the first goal against the Dutch in this tournament.

But while Una McCarthy’s troops did receive a backhanded compliment from Dutch coach Kai de Jeger, they also came in for some harsh criticism from the Netherlands camp.

“In the first three matches of this tournament we were two or three goals up after ten minutes. This was not that easy and that took some getting used to for the girls. But they were eager to play, and ultimately this is just an outstanding achievement.”

De Jeger said of the encounter: “It was just physical violence. I thought it was inappropriate. They had no intention to play hockey.”

Ireland still have plenty to play for however, and are slight favourites on paper in the bronze medal match tomorrow (3pm) against Belgium.

Ireland’s U16 boys gave themselves the best possible chance of avoiding relegation in their championships, by defeating the Czech Republic 3-0.

Monkstown starlet David Cole’s pair of drag-flicks at the start of each half, plus a Josh Moffett effort, eased the nerves amid 35 degree heat.

A draw against Poland – who were tonked 5-0 by Russia, the basement side in Ireland’s initial pool – tomorrow will ensure Ireland will remain in Europe’s top tier, while a win and an avalanche of goals could see them finish fifth.

Day 3

Ireland’s U16 girls advanced to the semi-finals of the European championships as they beat Russia 4-0 in Barcelona yesterday evening to finish second in their group behind Spain.

They will face the daunting prospect of the Netherlands in the final four; a side who scored a massive 43 goals in their three initial group games.

Roisin Upton and Katie Mullan both grabbed their second goals of the tournament while Railway’s Kate Lloyd and Cork Harlequins’ Antonia McGrath were also on the mark.

Skipper Upton netted the only goal of the first half from the penalty spot before the Irish pulled clear in the second period.

The boys, however, were unable to get the win they needed to advance. Holland’s 4-0 win over Austria meant a three-goal success against Russia would see Ireland through on goal difference.

But they fell 3-0 behind and only for a late rally did they avoid fourth place in the pool. Leinster trio Ross Canning, Jordan Sutton and Jeremy Duncan all scored in a whirlwind second half performance.

They did have their chances to nick the win in the final ten minutes but the point earned could prove crucial in the coming days.

The boys go into Group C – the relegation pool – with one point and now must face the Czech Republic on Friday and Poland on Saturday to decide their fate.

U16 Girls European Championships – Group B
1. Spain 9pts (+13) 2. Ireland 6pts (+7) 3. Russia 3pts (-8) 4. Ukraine 0pts (-12)

Match schedule (Irish time):
Friday, July 16 (6.30pm): Ireland vs Netherlands
Saturday, July 17 (TBC): Final/3rd place playoff

U16 Boys European Championships – Group A
1. Netherlands 9pts (+17) 2. Austria 4pts (0) 3. Ireland 2pts (-2) 4. Russia 1pt (-15)

Boy’s match schedule (Irish time):
Friday, July 16 (11am): Ireland vs Czech Republic
Saturday, July 17 (11am): Ireland vs Poland

Day 2

Ireland’s U16 boys will be looking for a favour from the Netherlands tomorrow, but a place in the semi-finals of the EuroHockey Youth Nations Championships in Barcelona is still within their grasp.

A 1-1 draw with Austria today leaves Miles Warren’s side in third in their pool, with Adam Fallis’ neat turn giving him the space to push home an equaliser.

That goal was grabbed while Ireland were down to ten men in a closely-fought but tempestuous game, which saw Kirk Shimmins sin-binned twice, while Josh Moffett also saw yellow.

With whipping boys Russia — who were hammered 12-1 by the Dutch — up next in their final game tomorrow (11am Irish time), the Irish must win and overturn Austria’s goal difference advantage of six.

Munster U16 captain Richard Lynch is one of three from the southern province in Barcelona with the Irish U16 boys. Picture: Adrian Boehm

That task is not beyond them given the central Europeans must tackle the dominant Dutch, and Ireland will have the advantage of knowing what they have to do against the Russians.

Ireland’s U16 girls also take on Russia with a semi-final spot at stake, but are in a healthier position having already got a win under their belts.

They lost 1-0 to pool favourites Spain yesterday, the winning goal coming in the seventh minute, but a victory of any kind against the Russians is likely to be enough to advance, pending other results.

Day 1

Ireland’s U16 girls gave themselves a fighting chance of a semi-final spot at the EuroHockey Youth Nations Championships in Barcelona, by hammering the Ukraine 4-0 in their opening game earlier tonight.

Limerick-born skipper Roisin Upton continued her fine scoring streak by grabbing her side’s third, with Anna May Whelan, Orla Macken and Katie Mullan also on target.

Catholic Institute starlet Upton grabbed her first international goal in the 6-1 demolition of Wales in a warm-up match, and followed that up with another in the recent friendly against Belgium.

She and squad-mate Antonia McGrath of Cork Harlequins have also been selected for the Irish U17 team that’s heading to the World Youth Olympics next month.

Ireland look set to face a tougher examination today (5pm) when they meet hosts Spain, who eviscerated Russia 8-0, in the second of their three pool games.

Overcoming champions the Netherlands proved beyond the Ireland U16 boys side however, as they went down 3-1.

Miles Warren’s side matched the Dutch in most aspects and were level at the break thanks to a 20th-minute strike from Pembroke Wanderers starlet Kirk Shimmins.

But the Oranje’s counter-attacking skills proved the difference in a tight second half, albeit with a hint of controversy.

A shot from outside the circle was deliberately left by Irish netminder Stefan Gallagher, only for the goal to be incorrectly awarded.

Ireland  — who feature three Munster boys in Bandon midfielder Scott Sullivan, Munster U16 skipper Richard Lynch and Cork C of I trickster Gary Wilkinson in their squad — are in action again today (11am Irish time) against Austria, who hammered Russia 4-0 to also grab an early initiative.

Richie Malone’s side features three Irish underage soccer internationals — skipper Deirdre Duke, livewire forward Naomi Carroll and Galway girl Dora Gorman, who recently captained the Irish U17 soccer side to a European final.

All will be key figures with a smaller ball this weekend — along with vice-captain Rebecca Barry, Katie Codyre and hometown girl Amy Kate Trevor — at a tournament also featuring England, Scotland and Wales.

Ireland's U18 girls have been in good form leading into this weekend's tournament. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Malone’s side have warmed up in style for the tournament with a comprehensive series defeat of Scotland, as well as a win and a draw against Belgium, and will hope to take that form into their clashes with England, Wales and the Scots.

Meanwhile, two of the Irish U18 boys’ side will be keen to show their worth on familiar turf.

Cork C of I duo Nick Burns and Ben Dobson are the local boys in a squad largely dominated by the successful Wesley and Banbridge school sides.

The former — who claimed three schools titles this year — provide five of the 18 player panel while Bann have three panellists, though their contingent could have been more had Robin Smyrl not succumbed to injury.

Glenanne’s top scorer from play last season, Shane O’Donoghue, dons the vice-captain duties along with Luke Chadwick.

Irish Junior Cup winner Richard Sykes provides a corner threat, skipper Ian Sloan is the midfield general and Owen Magee — younger brother of decorated senior international Eugene — has followed his sibling’s lead as a top-quality goalscorer.

U18 Four Nations, Garryduff, Cork

Boys

Tomorrow: England vs Wales, 12pm; Ireland vs Scotland, 2pm; Sunday: Scotland vs Wales, 12pm; Ireland vs England, 2pm; Monday: Scotland vs England, 9am; Ireland vs Wales, 1pm.

IRELAND U18 Boys: R Fitzgerald (YMCA/Wesley), M Ingram (Railway Union/Oatlands College), M Bell (Banbridge/Banbridge Academy), N Burns (Cork C of I/Midleton), L Chadwick (YMCA/Wesley, vice-capt), B Dobson (Cork C of I/PBC), W Edgar (Annadale/Campbell), S Madeley (Wesley/TRR), O Magee (Banbridge/Banbridge Academy), D McCrea (TRR/Wesley), H McShane (Banbridge/Banbridge Academy), S O’Donoghue (Glenanne/High School, vice-capt), P Ritchie (Annadale/Regent House), T Samuel (TRR/Wesley), I Sloan (Cookstown/Cookstown HS, capt), R Sykes (Monkstown/St Andrew’s), A Williamson (Annadale/Campbell College), M Lecky (Raphoe/Royal and Prior).

Shane O'Donoghue top-scored from play for Glenanne this season and will vice-captain the Irish U18 boys. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Girls

Tonight: England vs Wales, 8pm; Tomorrow: England vs Scotland, 4pm; Ireland vs Wales, 6pm  Sunday: Wales vs Scotland, 4pm; Ireland vs England, 6pm; Monday: Ireland vs Scotland, 11am.

IRELAND U18 Girls: J Holmes (GK, Randalstown/Carrick Grammar), D Gorman (Greenfields/Taylors Hill) L McCarthy (Railway/Mount Anville), A Naughton (Corinthian/Mount Anville), D Duke (Hermes/Alexandra College, capt), N Gray (Old Alex/Alexandra College), AK Trevor (Cork C of I/Scoil Mhuire) N Laarhoven (Almeerse, NL), N Carroll (Catholic Inst/St Patricks Comp), R Barry (Catholic Inst/Laurel Hill, vice-capt), K McDonald (Lurgan Ladies/Banbridge Academy), K Codyre (Greenfields/Colaiste Iognaid), M Carey (Galway/Colaiste Iognaid), V Surgenor (Randalstown/Ballyclare HS), J Orr (Armagh/Royal School Armagh), L Ewart (Armagh/Royal School Armagh), E Beatty (Old Alex/Alexandra College, SJ Greer (GK, Ballymoney).

The Irish Hockey Photographers collective was founded in 2008 in association with Ireland’s dedicated hockey news websites, The Hook and Southern Fried.

A UCD player takes a tumble - just one of the top-class pictures from Adrian Boehm

The team of amateur snappers has grown to incorporate Adrian Boehm, Deryck Vincent, Ondine Roche, Eoin Tyrrell, Stephen Findlater and Emer Keogh among other contributors, and covers every level of hockey in the country from schools up to senior international level.

The group primarily provides photos for The Hook and Southern Fried – the only hockey blogs in their respective homelands of Leinster and Munster – but has also supplied photos to the Irish Examiner, Irish Times and Evening Herald, as well as numerous other local publications.

The success of the group’s initial venture via the photography social networking site Flickr – where their photographs have clocked up almost one million views in less than two years – has led to a significant extention of the service provided.

All photos are now available to purchase in a printed format, in a range of sizes direct from the site. T-shirts and mugs emblazoned with your favourite image are also available, and your chosen product is delivered straight to your home.

The site currently features all photos taken by Adrian Boehm since September 2009. The Irish Hockey Photographers will be uploading their pictures from the last few seasons over the summer, but if you have a specific set of photos you would like to purchase, email irishhockeyphotographers@yahoo.co.uk and they will be uploaded in due course.

For futher information – or to enquire about joining the Irish Hockey Photographers team – visit the site here.

Please help us spread the word about the new site by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter. Alternatively, you can use any of the social networking share buttons below.

Ondine Roche captured a celebratory moment as Cork Harlequins claimed the Munster women's Division 1 title.

Irish Hockey Photographers is the latest in a serious of innovations in the service provided to the hockey public by Southern Fried and The Hook, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Such efforts require plenty of time and effort, which we don’t mind putting in, but they also require financial investment.

I have therefore setup a PayPal Donate service – located in the sidebar on the right of the site, or by clicking here – for anyone who wishes to contribute to the upkeep of this site and future improvements and innovations.

Should you wish to donate, the size of the contribution is up to you, and donors can choose to remain anonymous. All support is greatly appreciated.

A big thanks is due to Botanic HC’s Gillian McAuliffe for her help in getting the Irish Hockey Photographers site operational, and to Niamh Hutton for her work on the logos and watermarks.

The IHA board has given their approval to a Central Preparation Programme (CPP), which the national body say will “facilitate a core, intensive preparation program” in a bid to qualify for the Olympics in London in 2012.

Senior women’s coach Gene Muller envisages that 20 of the 25 players currently selected for the Irish panel will be in a position to be located in Dublin for the initial time period.

Gene Muller: believes centralisation is a "significant step forward" for the Irish women's hockey team. Picture: Deryck Vincent

Those unable to make the move will continue training at a local level in midweek and join the full squad for Sunday and Monday training sessions.

Heated debate over the merits of the programme has been ongoing since news of the plan broke in February.

The concept has drawn intense criticism from high-profile figures within the game, who have condemned it as impractical and fear ruinous consequences for club hockey.

An IHA spokesperson yesterday said Muller will write to clubs next week to outline the practicals of the plan in detail, and stressed that no pressure will be placed on players to move to Dublin clubs.

IHA high performance director David Passmore added that the previous practice of completely withdrawing players from club hockey in the build-up to major tournaments will not be necessary under the new format.

The core Irish panel likely to be involved in the new setup is likely to be announced in the aftermath of the series with Scotland at the end of this month.

Players selected to take part in the CPP will continue to compete for their clubs as the weekly schedule makes provisions for weekend club hockey – except for scheduled breaks or international events – while also enabling players to prepare midweek with their clubs for ESB Irish Senior Cup and Irish Hockey League matches.

Muller also has provision to invite additional athletes into the programme.

“(The CPP) will enable the majority of players to train together on a regular basis in one location,” the IHA said in a statement. “It will help address critical technical and tactical weaknesses, and facilitate more intense, frequent and higher quality training sessions.

The Irish women must improve on last year's fifth-placed finish in Europe to qualify for the Olympics. Picture: Ondine Roche

“A programme of this nature makes the periodisation of the Irish training and competition programme feasible. Under the previous system it was difficult to control training variables to develop and peak the team.”

Muller yesterday termed the plan “a significant move forward”, and said their training environment will be in line with many of the top international teams as a result.

“The main aim is to improve our chances of international success,” he added. “This plan cannot work without player buy-in, and our players have been fantastic in endorsing and driving this process.”

To qualify for the Olympics, Ireland must either finish fourth at the preceding European championships in 2011, or enter into a winner-takes-all qualification group.

The former is the preferable route, but the jump from fifth – where Ireland finished at the 2009 Euros in Amsterdam – to fourth is a significant leap in standards, which has thus far proved beyond Muller’s troops.

Current Irish skipper Eimear Cregan therefore believes that centralisation is a key step if the side is to have a shot at reaching the Olympics.

“I have no doubt this will maximise our potential as a team, as well as providing us with a fantastic opportunity to qualify for the Olympics,” said the Limerick native.

“The current squad is hugely committed and dedicated, and I firmly believe each player will work extremely hard to make this a success. I am also pleased that the IHA has been able to accommodate those who are unable to centralise due to their work commitments.”

The women’s budget that incorporates the CPP will be allocated in line with previous year’s budgets, funded through Irish Sports Council, Sport Northern Ireland and sponsors ESB, who have all backed the venture, along with the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland and the Irish Institute of Sport.

The visitors put three past debutant David Fitzgerald in the Irish goal either side of the break, taking advantage of some jittery defending to seemingly put themselves out of sight.

But Eugene Magee gave Ireland a lifeline with a neat reverse from a narrow angle with 10 minutes to go, before David Ames set up a grandstand finale with a similar effort from the top of the circle.

Eugene Magee fires home a reverse from a tight angle to begin Ireland's comeback against France. Picture: Adrian Boehm

And Magee then cracked one into the bottom right-hand corner off his back foot to tie it up. Paul Revington’s side even had chances to claim an unlikely victory, while Monkstown keeper Fitzgerald emphasised his international credentials with some fine stops at the other end.

Allied to Saturday’s 1-1 draw — in which Alan Sothern cancelled out Joost Jasen’s opener — and an earlier 3-1 victory, it meant the Irish finished their summer programme unbeaten.

France brought a much stronger selection to Ireland than the side that capitulated 7-0 last Sunday at the Celtic Cup in Le Touquet, but Revington’s men were good value for an overall series victory.

Lisnagarvey forward Timmy Cockram also made his 100th appearance on Saturday, while Andy McConnell’s goal in the opening game was his first in a green shirt.

Revington will have learned more about his midfield options, given the absence from this summer’s action of John Jermyn and David Hobbs, with Cookstown’s David Ames arguably the pick of the bunch.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s U21 boys were denied the Junior Celtic Cup in dramatic fashion as an experienced Scotland side following a 4-4 draw at Coolnafranky.

The Irish led three times in the game but found themselves chasing the game in the final stages as Kenny Bain popped up to score his side’s crucial fourth goal.

Stuart Loughrey equalised to set up an exciting final few minutes but Scotland held on to take the title on goal difference following big wins over France and Wales.

Ali Smith on the rampage for Ireland. The Bandon man claimed his maiden goal for Ireland against France. Picture: Emer Keogh

Ireland added a 2-0 win over France on Saturday to their 6-0 success on Friday to be in with a shot of glory today. Davy Carson netted in the first half before Bandon’s Ali Smith rounded out that win, but it left Ireland two goals behind the Scots going into the final day’s play.

Again, Carson got the only goal of the first half before Gordon McIntyre levelled for the first time from a corner rebound in the second period. Cookstown’s Mark Crooks restored the lead only for McIntyre to level.

Corinthian sharp-shooter Brian Doherty whipped in his fifth corner of the weekend for 3-2. Josh Cairns cancelled that out with a corner of his own and Bain nicked the fourth with five minutes to go, again combining with senior international team mate McIntyre.

Loughrey’s effort set up the grandstand finish but Scotland held out to retain the title.

Nonetheless, senior men’s coach Revington will have been particularly pleased with the efforts of an all-new and entirely U21 side, particularly skipper Doherty, who hit four in the 6-0 demolition of Wales on Friday.

For more of Emer Keogh’s pictures from Ireland U-21 men vs France, click here. Adrian Boehm’s photos from Sunday’s Ireland vs France game can be seen here.

Senior International Series, Coolnafranky

Ireland 3 (T Cockram, A McConnell, C Cargo) France 1 (G Deront);
Ireland 1 (A Sothern) France 1 (J Jasen);
Ireland 3 (E Magee 2, D Ames) France 3;

Junior (U21) Celtic Cup, Coolnafranky

Ireland 6 (B Doherty 4, D Carson, D Carlisle) Wales 0;
Ireland 2 (A Smith, D Carson) France 0;
Ireland 4 (B Doherty, M Crooks, D Carson, S Loughrey) Scotland 4 (G McIntrye 2, J Cairns, K Bain)

Scotland win title on goal difference from Ireland (+2).

Emily Hurtz continued to be the biggest thorn in Ireland’s side, as she rattled home a hat-trick of close-range short corner goals.

Hurtz had hit the winners in both of the 1-0 victories for the Hockeyroos earlier in the week, close games which raised Irish hopes of nicking a shock win over the world number five outfit.

But though Muller’s troops again defended adroitly from deep positions to quell the visitors’ threat from play, they were undone by Australia’s set-piece prowess.

Ireland's Cliodhna Sargent carries the ball out of defence. Picture: Adrian Boehm

They converted four out of seven corners inside 50 minutes, Hurtz bagging the first three before Megan Rivers notched the fourth. Lisa Jacob pulled one back for the hosts late on, again from a corner rebound.

Muller nonetheless believes his side has upped their performances since finishing a disappointing third at April’s World Cup qualifier in Chile.

“Overall, it has been a tough 10 days, with six very difficult matches against World Cup teams. I felt we performed well in four of the six matches, we definitely have made big increase in performance since Chile.”

Following on from Eimear Cregan becoming Ireland’s most capped player of all time in Germany last week, other Irish players have reached some personal milestones recently.

Ballymoney’s Bridget Cleland has broken the 150 cap barrier, while UCC’s Julia O’Halloran has notched her 50th appearancecap.

It was also a fortnight to remember for Cork Harlequins’ Sinead McCarthy and Railway Union’s Nikki Evans as they won their first caps, with McCarthy in particular impressing.

Meanwhile, Ireland A’s good start at the Junior Celtic Cup in Coolnafranky soon unravelled, as defeats to Scotland and eventual winners France saw them finish third.

An opening-day 4-1 win over Wales sparked hopes of a serious challenge by the hosts in the U21 competition, but a reverse to France by the same scoreline, followed by a 2-0 defeat to the Scots, quashed their chances.

Ireland's Audrey O'Flynn looks for a pass. Picture: Adrian Boehm

There was better news for the U16 and U18 girls, who both recorded comfortable victories over home nations opposition.

Una McCarthy’s U16 side were in sizzling form in a two-game series with Wales, winning 6-1 and 6-0.

Katie Mullan cracked in four of those, including a hat-trick in the second encounter, while Munster’s Roisin Upton and Antonia McGrath also made their mark on the scoresheet.

The U18 girls followed up the encouraging performances in their tied three-game series with Belgium by
defeating Scotland twice at Jordanstown this weekend.

They recorded a 3-1 win on Saturday afternoon with goals from Nicola Gray, Leah Ewart and Katie Codyre while Sunday brought a 3-2 win. This time, Gray and Ewart were joined on the score-sheet by Aisling Naughton.

For more of Adrian Boehm’s pics from these games, click here and here; Ondine Roche’s photos of the game can be seen here.

Senior International Series, Belfield

Ireland 0 Australia 1 (E Hurtz)
Ireland 0 Australia 1 (E Hurtz)
Ireland 1 (L Jacob) Australia 4 (E Hurtz 3, M Rivers)

Women’s Junior (U21) Celtic Cup, Coolnafranky

Ireland 4 (A O’Flanagan 2, K McKenna, K McConnell) Wales 1
Ireland 1 (A O’Flanagan) France 4
Ireland 0 Scotland 2

Standings: 1. France 9pts (+11) 2. Scotland 6pts (+5) 3. Ireland 3pts (-2) 4. Wales 0pts (-14)

Ireland U18 girls 3 (L Ewart, K Codyre, N Gray) Scotland 1
Ireland U18 girls 3 (L Ewart, N Gray, A Naughton) Scotland 2

Ireland U16 girls 6 (C Brown 2, K Lloyd 2, K Mullan, A McGrath) Wales U16 0
Ireland U16 girls 6 (K Mullan 3, E Carey, G Frazer, R Upton) Wales U16 1

The girls in green put in a sterling defensive shift in going down 1-0 to the world number five outfit, with English-born McCarthy at the heart of that following her 10th-minute introduction.

Muller said:  “We were composed and calm in possession today and were defensively well organised. I was pleased with the overall performance and we created some good chances. I felt Sinead McCarthy had a very good international debut.”

Nick Burns on the attack for Ireland U18's against Belgium. Picture: Adrian Boehm

A super strike from Emily Hurtz, two minutes into the second half, settled the tie, but Muller will be happier than his side looked fresher and displayed more resolve than in the 6-0 humbling at the hnads of India in Germany last weekend.

Cliodhna Sargent whipped one goal-bound shot off the line, while at the other end, Julia O’Halloran was inches away from getting a decisive shoulder-high touch as Niamh Small aerialled across goal.

Eimear Cregan also slipped just wide after pick-pocketing Kobie McGurk on the 25 but, on her reverse, her reverse appeared to catch the hook of her stick to redirect the ball just off course in the 22nd minute.

Kary Chau fired a snap-shot just wide soon after for the hockeyroos while Megan Rivers brilliant break-out slipped just beyond Jade Close’s reach on the edge of the circle.

In between, Small earned Ireland’s only corner of the night but Sargent’s straight shot was comfortably saved.

The killer blow came, though, 100 seconds into the second period when Chau pinged a ball from halfway out to the right sideline where the flying Kurtz cut in unopposed and banged in a stunning low strike.

Ireland play again on Friday evening at 6pm before facing the Australian’s in their third and final test on Saturday at 4pm.

Ireland: E Gray, M Harvey, C Sargent, E Cregan (capt), E Clarke, B Cleland, S McCay, A Speers, A O’Flynn, E Smyth, N Small
Subs: L Jacob, J O’Halloran, N Symmons, S McCarthy, N Evans

Meanwhile, Ireland’s U18 boys and girls were left with mixed feelings following the conclusion of their three-game series with Belgium today.

The boys looked somewhat out on their feet yesterday in going down 5-1 to a clinical Belgian side. Owen Magee, younger brother of senior international Eugene, gave the Irish a lead as they initially followed on from where they’d left off in a 3-3 draw on Tuesday.

Namoi Carroll celebrates her goal with Deirdre Duke. Picture: Adrian Boehm

But having equalised, the Belgians scored a pair of neatly worked corners to turn the tables before the break and added a second half double to complete the win.

And in the final game today, they agonisingly lost 3-2, with Shane Madeley and Hugh McShane on the scoresheet in a game which was the sixth match in seven days for 10 of the panel.

Matthias Dubois guided home a fourth minute corner but Madeley finished off Burns’ baseline reverse to level inside 45 seconds.

Belgium, though, enjoyed a smarter period in the next 40 minutes, forcing Ben Dobson to hack one off the line and built a lead early in the second half when Arno Devreker twice profited.

McShane diverted home a corner with 15 minutes remaining and Ireland piled on the pressure but an equaliser proved elusive.

The Irish U18 girls, meanwhile, crashed 3-0 to Belgium yesterday after the exertions of their first two games – which saw them claim a win and a draw – took their toll.

Catholic Institute forward Naomi Carroll hit the target in both Tuesday’s 4-2 win and yesterday’s 1-1 draw, with her equalising strike yesterday of particular note.

Aisling Naughton started the move, sliding through to Deirdre Duke who squared for Carroll to deftly pop over the goalkeeper from close range.

Elsewhere, in Cookstown Ireland A finished off their two-game series with Scotland last night with a 2-0 defeat – Morag McClelland and Ali Howe with the goals – despite an improved overall performance from their 1-1 draw on Tuesday.

Kate Dillon netted Ireland’s strike in that tie but Ann Brody’s effort meant honours were even. Ireland A now reverts to being an U-21 panel for the men’s and women’s Junior Celtic Cup which gets underway in Cookstown on Friday.

* For more of Adrian Boehm’s photos from the boys U18 games click here, while the girls U18  photos are here.

The Irish men retained their title with an experimental side for the second year running, capping a memorable weekend for skipper Ronan Gormley.

Ireland skipper Ronan Gormley accepts the Celtic Cup on the same day he won his 100th Irish cap. Picture: GF Cohen/www.photopale.com

The defender notched two rare goals in Saturday’s 4-0 defeat of Wales, before marring his 100th cap by giving away an early penalty stroke against France.

But goalkeeper Iain Walker saved the captain’s blushes, and a Eugene Magee drag flick in the 18th minute set them on their way, with Mitch Darling bagging a hat-trick in an easy win, their biggest ever over the French.

Irish manager Peter Jackson said: “This was an outstanding tournament for the Irish lads who put in maximum effort throughout all games.

“It is particularly pleasing to see that we only conceded one goal in the three matches and scored 14 in total.”

The women crashed 6-0 to India in the midday German heat to take the wooden spoon at the tournament in Essen, a disappointing end to the tournament following a much better performance in Saturday’s narrow 3-1 defeat to Germany.

Emma Smyth’s strike had Ireland level at half time in a game which saw Eimear Cregan break Rachael Kohler’s all-time caps record, making her 167th appearance, while Julia O’Halloran was making her 50th appearance.

There was better news for the Irish U18 boys – for whom C of I’s Nick Burns was the sole Munster player involved – as they completed a series whitewash of their Scottish counterparts at Hillsborough.

Burns was on target for his second of the series in Saturday’s 4-0 win, while Ireland also claimed a 2-1 victory on Sunday in the narrowest of the three games.

They are in action again on Tuesday night against Belgium at Belfield, the first of another three-game series, with Burns’ C of I team-mate Ben Dobson one of nine new faces in the squad.

Celtic Cup, Le Touquet, France

Ireland 7 (M Darling 3, E Magee, A Sothern, A Giles, P Caruth) France 0;

Ireland 4 (R Gormley 2, P Gleghorne, P Caruth) Wales 0;

Ireland 3 (C Cargo, C Harte, T Cockram) Scotland 1 (K Bain)

Standings (points/goal difference): 1 Ireland 9pts (+13) 2 Wales 6pts (-2) 3 Scotland 3pts (-1) 4 France 0pts (-9).

Ireland's Nick Burns on the attack against Scotland. Picture: Adrian Boehm

U18 Series, Hillsborough, Co Down

Ireland 5 (N Burns, S O’Donoghue, W Edgar, T Samuel, A Williamson) Scotland 1;

Ireland 4 (N Burns, O Magee, R Sykes 2) Scotland 0;

Ireland 2 (O Magee, S O’Donoghue) Scotland 1.

Women’s Four Nations, Essen, Germany

Ireland 1 (E Smyth) Germany 3 (L Geyer, T Bachmann 2);

Ireland 0 India 6;

Ireland 0 Australia 4;

Final standings: 1 Australia 7pts (+8) 2 Germany 5pts (+2) 3 India 4pts (+3) 4 Ireland 0pts (-13)

For GF Cohen’s Celtic Cup pictures, click here (Facebook page). For more of Adrian Boehm’s photos from Saturday’s game between Ireland U18 and Scotland U18, click here.