HOCKEY/Youths: A goal five minutes from the end by the St Andrew's College and Monkstown striker Gareth Watkins earned the Ireland under-18s a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in the European Youth Championships in Rotterdam yesterday.

This was an outstanding achievement, as an Irish defeat of the Dutch is a rare feat at any level of the game. Indeed, it was a first success on their turf. It followed a 1-0 win against Spain on Tuesday and means that Ireland are on the path to a top-four finish. Today they meet France in their final pool game. The French, though, cannot be taken lightly, for they also defeated Spain (3-2) and lost only by 4-2 to Holland.

The winning goal came yesterday as the Dutch, having hit the woodwork, started to lose their composure with two players being yellow carded. Ireland broke for Phelie Maguire to deliver the centre from which Watkins scored.

"It was a fine performance," said team manager Dougie Miller. "The lads were strong on the ball and ran themselves into the ground." Tim Cockram led by example in midfield while Ewan Butler was especially resolute at the back.

The Irish under-16 boys team also played spiritedly but lost 2-0 to the home side.

The Irish under-18 girls went under 3-0 to their Dutch counterparts while the gallant under-16s, after holding their opponts scoreless in the first half, lost only by a late goal.

IRELAND UNDER-18 BOYS (from): S Chisholm; S Arbuthnot, A Barrett, C Black, E Butler, T Cockram (capt), M Gleghorne, A Herbert, C Holmes, I Lewers, S Magowan, P Maguire, M Robinson, K Twomey, G Watkins. Coach: S Watt; manager: D Miller