Irish Eyes Are Smiling

By Mark Stehlin

Team Ireland pulled out the win over Team Finland by a final score of 9-6 to earn the gold medal at the 2026 European Box Lacrosse Championships held in Prague, Czech Republic  from June 25-July 4.  A total of 18 men’s teams participated in the competition that featured a number of names known to local lacrosse fans.

Brooklin Lacrosse Club (BLC), assistant coach Clancy Almas is the offensive coach of Team Ireland. Playing for the Irish squad were two members of the Brooklin Merchants, Ciaron Costello and Luke Moloney. BLC forward Chris Boushy, fresh off a National Lacrosse League championship with the Toronto Rock, suited up for Team Germany. In five tournament games played, he scored 23 goals and added 15 assists placing him in fifth in overall tournament scoring. Additionally, Parker Pipher from the Brooklin Merchants, and his brother Devin Pipher who is playing this summer for the Langley Thunder of the Western Lacrosse Association, were members of Team Israel.

“I’ve been with the Irish men’s team since 2015 when we played in the World Championships in Onondaga, NY and it was a great feeling to win the championship this year,” said Almas after his return to Canada.

“We gathered in Prague a week before the tournament and held a training camp that included exhibition games. As the tournament started we lost our first game to Finland in overtime by a score of 11-10. We then beat Netherlands 17-5 in our second game. We met England and took the overtime win 10-9 which was an incredible test for the team. That left us in a good position for the play-in round. We defeated Italy 20-5 and then met Boushy and the Germans. He scored four goals in that game, but we managed to win a close one 14-13 in overtime. That set up the gold medal game against Finland and as they beat us earlier, it felt great to win the gold medal against them.

“This win will help us with our overall ranking. We continue to identify players of Irish descent to add to the program. On the horizon is the World’s in Utica, NY. We are also gearing up for the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 where sixes lacrosse is on the agenda,” added Almas.

- photos c/o Clancy Almas