Julian Dale earns Ireland U-21s crucial point against Austria

Ireland U-21s 4 Austria U-21s 4

Julian Dale’s late penalty stroke earned Ireland’s Under-21 men a potentially important point as they salvaged a 4-4 result against Austria with four minutes to go in Valencia in their second European Junior championships tie.

There was more than a lingering doubt, though, whether this was two points dropped as Ireland led 3-1 after 20 minutes. Dale scored a classy opening goal before corners from Keith O'Hare and Luke Madeley put Ireland in a healthy position.

But Austria fought back with two goals from Florian Steyrer - who played against the senior Irish team just last Sunday - while Oliver Binder put them in front for the first time late on.

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Two of the goals came when Ireland were down players due to suspensions in the third quarter but they bounced back with Dale winning and then converting the equalising stroke.

Ireland face Belgium at 10.15am (Irish time) on Thursday with a win earning a semi-final place. The women face Germany at 8am

EuroHockey Junior Championships

Men

Pool B: Ireland 4 (J Dale 2, K O'Hare, L Madeley) Austria 4 (F Steyrer 2, O Binder, N Wellan); Germany 2 Belgium 1

Standings: 1. Germany 6pts (+3) 2. Belgium 3pts (+3) 3. Ireland 1pt (-2) 4. Austria 1pt (-4)

Thursday (Irish time): Ireland v Belgium, 10.15am

Women

Thursday: Ireland v Germany, 8.0am