Garda team win bronze at European tournament
BALLYMOTE’S Mark Irwin was part of the Garda team who represented Ireland in the USPE European Police Championships in Prague over the last week and the team did fantastically, finishing third overall.
The team beat Holland 6-1 in their final game to win the European Bronze medal.
Ireland reached the semi final stage thanks but were beaten by Germany with a late goal.
The boys in green started the tournament in the Czech Republic when they defeated Slovakia on a scoreline of 5-2 in searing hot temperatures.
They then had to take on Bulgaria the following day. Bulgaria went again twice but the Irish battled hard and came back to finish with a 2-2 draw. This kept Ireland top of their group on goal difference. Then it was on to meet the hosts Czech Republic and in another tough game, Ireland did themselves proud, finishing on a 0-0 scoreline in a hard-fought draw. This result meant they topped their group and went into the semi-finals for the first time in 12 years. Germany progressed with a late goal which saw Ireland then meet Holland in the third place play-off. It was the boys in green who were comprehensive winners as Ireland went home with medals.