World champions Germany crush Irish in Mossley U21 tournament

Ireland's hopes of an unlikely triumph in the men's Under-21 Four-Nations event at Mossley were ended as they were beaten 5-1 by Germany on Thursday.

The Irish went close on a couple of occasions early on before John Hillman put the Germans ahead on 13 minutes.

Joshua Delarber and Hillman added to the world under-21 champions's lead before Johnny McKee replied for the Irish before the break.

Delarber and Leon Willemsen added further German goals before the finish.

With England hammering Scotland 7-0 in Thursday's other match, the tournament was be decided by Friday's early-morning re-arranged clash between the English and Germany, the Germans triumphing 4-2.

Those two teams were scheduled to meet on Tuesday evening but the game had to be cancelled because of snow.

Four Nations Under-21 Tournament fixtures/results

Tuesday 11 February

Ireland 5-1 Scotland

England P-P Germany

Wednesday 12 February

Germany 4-0 Scotland

Ireland 1-1 England

Thursday 13 February

England 7-0 Scotland

Ireland 1-5 Germany

Friday 14 February

Germany 4-2 England