Hockey Ireland Weekend Preview: Saturday Feb 3

EY Hockey League Division 2, Irish Junior Cup and Irish Senior Cup in Action

Dublin, January 31:The second round of fixtures in the EY Hockey League 2 takes place this coming Saturday with action across all four pools. Avoca take on Queen’s in the Men’s Pool A with Bandon travelling to play Pembroke Wanderers. Cork Harlequins take on Cookstown and Railway Union host South Antrim in Men’s Pool B.

 

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2024

EYHL 2 MEN’S POOL A

Avoca v Queens, 12:30, Avoca

Pembroke Wanderers v Bandon, 13:00 Serpentine Avenue

EYHL 2 MEN’S POOLB

Cork Harlequins v Cookstown, 12:45, Harlequin Park

Railway Union v South Antrim, 13:30, Park Avenue

 

In the EYHL 2 for Women Kilkenny host Belfast Harlequins and Avoca have to travel to take on Cork Harlequins. University of Galway host UCC and Muckross take on Lurgan in Pool B.

 

EYHL 2 WOMEN’S POOL A

Kilkenny v Belfast Harlequins, 14:00, Kilkenny

Cork Harlequins V Avoca, 14:45, Harlequin Park

 

EYHL 2 WOMEN’S POOLB

Muckross v Lurgan, 13:30, Muckross

University of Galway v UCC, 14:00, Dangon

 

There are nine ties in the Men’s Irish Junior Cup and they are as follows:-

 

IRISH MEN’S  JUNIOR CUP

Monkstown v Cork Harlequins, 14:20, Rathdown

UCD v North Down,13:00, Belfield Water

Annadale v Portrane,13:00, Campbell College

Glennane v Instonians, 13:00,St Andrews College

Corinthian v Bangor,13:15, St Columbas

Lisnagarvey v YMCA,14:30, Comber Road

Cookstown v Avoca,14:30, Cookstown

Kilkeel v Mossley,14:30, Kilkeel High School

Rathgar v Clontarf,14:30, Rathgar

Banbridge v BelfastHarlequins, 14:45, Havelock Park

 

There are ten ties down for decision in the Irish Women’s Junior Cup and they are as follows:-

 

IRISH WOMEN’S JUNIOR CUP

Cork Church of Ireland v Cork Harlequins, 12:00, Garryduf

Monkstown v Old Alex, 12:00, Rathdown

Waterford v Catholic Institute, 12:00, Waterford

Three Rock Rovers v Bray, 15:00, Grange Road

Loreto v Corinthian, 13:00, Loreto High School Beaufort

Genesis v Ballymoney, 13:00, St Raphaelas School

Trinity Ladies v Lisnagarvey, 14:00 Dublin University

Belfast Harlequins v Athlone, 14:30, Deramore Park

Portadown v Pembroke Wanderers, 14:30, Portadown

Queens v Ashton, 14:30, Queens University

Mossley v Pegasus, 16:00, Mossley

 

There are two ties down for decision this Sunday in the Irish Men’s Senior Cup

Bandon take on Queen’s University and Cork Harlequins host Portane.

 

 

 

SUNDAY  FEBRUARY 4, 2024

 

IRISH MEN’S SENIOR CUP

Bandon v Queens, 12:00, Bandon Grammar

Cork Harlequins v Portrane, 12:30, Harlequin Park

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Hockey Mondays Episode 16

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Hockey Ireland National Indoor Finals: Results Sunday, January 28th

WOMEN’S NATIONAL INDOOR FINALS

 

Galway, January 28th: The women’s National Indoor Finals took place at the Kingfisher Centre in Galway on Sunday. Taking part were Railway Union, and Corinthians who came 1st and 2nd respectively in Leinster, Ulster champions Ards and Connacht Champions University of Galway. In the first semi-final University of Galway took on Railway Union.

 

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY 1  RAILWAY UNION 11

University of Galway took the lead in the 4th minute when Ellie Hughes scored from open play. The defending national champions Railway Union responded in the 12th minute when Sarah Patton converted a penalty corner 1-1. Matilde Errico scored from open play, in the 13th minute to give Railway Union a 2-1 lead. Ailish Long scored two open play goals in the 14th minute to leave Railway Union 4-1 ahead. Orla Fox converted a penalty corner in the 15th minute to make the score 5-1. Amy Benson scored from a penalty corner in the 22n d minute 6-1. Matilde Errico scored another open  play goal to make it 7-1 in the 23rd minute. Amy Benson from open play made it 8-1 from open play in the 25th minute. Katie Fearon made it 9-1 in the 33rd minute also from open play. Sarah Patton made it 10-1 in the 35th minute and Amy Benson rounded off the scoring in the 38th minute to send Railway Union through to the National Final.

In the second semi-final Corinthians took on Ulster Champions Ards.

 

CORINTHIANS 4  ARDS 2

Sharon Seaton opened the scoring for the Leinster women in the 3rd minute from open play. Jessica McGrane added another goal from open play in the 5th minute to make it 2-0 to Corinthians. Isabel Maleady added a third goal from open play in the 24th minute. Ards got off the mark in the 26th minute with a first goal of the match for Ellen Robinson to make it 3-1. Anna Richardson made it 4-1 for Corinthians with her converted penalty corner in the 26th minute. Ellen Robinson completed the scoring for Ards with a 32nd minute field goal and the final score was Corinthians 4 Ards 2 . Corinthians into the National final and Ards to take on University of Galway in the 3rd place play off.

 

3RD AND 4TH PLACEPLAY-OFF

 

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY 2  ARDS 8

Ailbhe Folan opened the scoring for University of Galway in the first minute from open play. Alyssa Boyd got Ards on the scoresheet and Ailbhe Folan added a second open play goal for University of Galway to make it 2-1 and Ellen Robinson made it 2-2 also in the 5th minute. Susannah Cotter gave Ards the lead in the 11th minute 3-2. Rebecca Beggs got a goal from open play in the 14th minute to make it 4-2. Frankie Brown made it 5-2 in the 16th minute. Susannah Cotter made it 6-2 in the 22nd minute with a goal from open play. Rebecca Beggs made it 7-2 in the 28th minute from open play and Frankie Brown added another one in the 29th minute to secure the bronze medal for Ards on an 8-2 score line.

 

FINAL  

 

RAILWAY UNION 2 CORINTHIANS 2 (RAILWAY UNION WIN 3-1 IN SHOOT-OUT)

In the opening minutes it was a very close affair and there were no goals for over 20 minutes. When the lead did come it was the defending National Indoor Champions who got it. Railway Union were awarded a penalty stroke in the 20th minute and Orla Fox made no mistake.1-0 Railway Union. Ava Maleady equalised for Corinthians from open play  in the 28th minute 1-1. Orla Fox converted a penalty corner in the 32nd minute to make it 2-1 for Railway Union. Sophie Barnwell converted a penalty corner in the 34th minute to make it 2-2. There was no further scoring and it went to a penalty shoot-out

 

SHOOT OUT Sarah Patton scored the first penalty for Railway Union

Sharon Seaton missed Corinthians first penalty, 1-0 Railers.

Micaela Sanderson scored for Railway Union and Sophie Barnwell scores the second penalty for Corinthians2-1 Railers. Orla Patton scored for Railway Union to secure the National Indoor title on a 3-1 score line.

 

MEN’S NATIONAL INDOOR FINALS

SEMI-FINAL 1

THREE ROCK ROVERS 5 CORINTHIANS 1

Local rivals Three Rock Rovers and Corinthians played in the first semi-final of the Men’s National Indoor Championships on Sunday. Captain Ross Canning got the scoring under way for Three Rock Rovers by converting a penalty corner in the 16th minute 1-0 to Three Rock Rovers. Jonas Althusmann scored from open play to give Rovers a 2-0 lead in the 18th minute. Jody Hosking converted a penalty corner in the 25th minute to make it 3-0 and James Kyriakides made it 4-0 from open play in the 26th minute. Craig Mackay got Corinthians on the scoresheet from open play on the half hour mark. A final Ryan Williams goal for Three Rock Rovers  in the 36th minute from open play secured a 5-1 win and a ticket to the National Indoor Final.

 

SEMI-FINAL  2

 

COOKSTOWN 2 RAILWAYUNION 5

Ulster Indoor Champions Cookstown took on Leinster Champions Three Rock Rovers in the second of the two semi-finals at the Kingfisher Centre in Galway. It was the Greg Williams show for Railway Union as he opened the scoring in the 1st minute from a converted penalty corner. Daniel Nelson responded for Cookstown in the10th minute from a converted penalty corner to make it 1-1. Greg Williams got his second of the match from open play in the 16th minute to restore Railway’s lead 2-1. A third of the game for Greg Williams made it 3-1 to Railway from open play in the 26th minute. A Michael Kerr goal from open play for Cookstown in the 29th minute reduced the deficit to a single goal Cookstown 2 Railway Union 5. Railway Union were awarded two penalty strokes in the 34th and 39th minutes respectively and Greg Williams made it 4-2 with the first of these and 5-2 with the second of these to reach the National Indoor final against Three Rock Rovers.

 

3RD AND 4TH PLACE FINAL

 

CORINTHIANS 4  COOKSTOWN 4

Scott McCabe put the Ulster Champions 1-0 ahead in the 5th minute from open play. Cookstown increased their lead  a minute late with a Michael Kerr goal from open play 2-0 to Cookstown. Daniel Kerr increased it even further in the 8th minute with another open play goal 3-0 to Cookstown and Michael Kerr made it 4-0 to Cookstown in the 11th minute also from open play. Corinthians began their Lazarus like comeback when Ben O’Grady converted a penalty corner on 14 minutes to make it 4-1. Craig Mackay scored from open play in the 19th minute to make it 4-2 and again in the 23rd minute to make it 4-3.Craig Mackay completed his hat-trick to secure a 4-4 draw in the 26th minute. Third place was shared by both sides and no shoot out ensued.

 

FINAL

 

THREE ROCK ROVERS 5 RAILWAY UNION 3

Three Rock Rovers won the Men’s National Indoor Hockey Championship at the Kingfisher Centre in Galway beating Railway Union 5-3 in today’s final. Three Rock Rovers took the lead in the 12th minute through James Kyriakides from open play. Railway Union equalised within 60 seconds when they were awarded a penalty stroke which Greg Williams converted to make the score 1-1. Ross Canning restored Three Rock Rovers’ lead in the 18th minute to make it 2-1 to Rovers. Daragh Curley scored for Railway Union from open play to level matters at 2-2 in the 23rd minute. James Walker made it 3-2 for Three Rock with a goal from open play. Jody Hosking added another goal for Three Rock from a converted penalty corner in the 33rd minute, to make it 4-2. Ben Ryder’s goal in the 37th minute from open play sealed a 5-2 victory for Three Rock Rovers and the National Indoor Championship Trophy will live in the Trophy Cabinet at Grange Road for the next year.

 

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National Indoor Finals, Galway. January 28th, 2023

The programme for the day is here: National Indoor Finals

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Hockey Ireland domestic fixtures weekend preview: Saturday January 27 & January 28

HOCKEY IRELAND WEEKEND PREVIEW 

Hockey Ireland domestic fixtures weekend preview: Saturday January 27 & January 28

 

EY Hockey League Division 2 returns this Saturday for Week 2. The weekend fixtures also feature a full round of games in the Irish Women’s Hockey Challenge, Irish Hockey Trophy and fixtures continue in the Men’s Irish Hockey Trophy. Round 1 of the Irish Women’s Senior Cup and two games in the Irish Men’s Senior Cup all down for decision this weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Saturday 27th January

 

EYHL 2

Men

Queens v Pembroke, 14:30, Queens University

Bandon v Bangor, 14:15, Bandon Grammar

South Antrim v Cork Harlequins, 14:30, Lisburn

Cookstown v Cork Church of Ireland, 13:00, Cookstown

Women

Avoca v Greenfields, 14:30, Avoca

Belfast Harlequins v Cork Harlequins, 12:45, Deramore Park

Lurgan v Ards, 14:30, Lugan JHS

UCC v Muckross, 14:00, The Mardkye

 

Irish Hockey Challenge

Women

Belvedere v Cork Wanderers, 13:15, Belvedere

Tipperary v Kinvara, 12:30, Tipperary

Waterford v Botanic, 12:15, Waterford

Athlone v University of Galway, 12:00, Athlone

Genesis v Cookstown, 12:00, St Raphaelas School

 

Men

Kilkenny v Clontarf, 15:30, Kilkenny

Bray v Rathgar, 15:00, Bray

Mossley v Belfast Harlequins, 14:30, Mossley

Ashton v North Down, 14:30, Ashton

Portadown v Kilkeel, 13:00, Portadown

 

Irish Hockey Trophy

Women

YMCA v Our Lady’s, 15:30, Wesley College

Glenanne v Armagh, 15:00, St Andrews College

Lisnagarvey v Cork Church of Ireland, 14:00, Comber Road

Ballymena v Blackrock, 13:00, Ballymena

Dungannon v University of Galway, 13:00, Dungannon

Newry Olmypic v Portrane, 13:00, Newry Olmypic

Mossley v Coleraine, 14:45, Mossley

 

Irish Senior Cup

Women

Banbridge v Queens, 14:45, Havelock Park

Ballymoney v Portadown, 14:30, Joey Dunlop Centre

Trinity Ladies v Corinthian, 14:00, Dublin University

 

Men

Railway Union v Avoca, 13:30, Park Avenue

 

 

Sunday 28th January

Irish Men’s Senior Cup

Pembroke v South Antrim, 13:00 Serpentine Avenue

 

 

 

 

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Ireland Men Qualify For Paris 2024 Olympics Following Korea Win

IRELAND  4:3   KOREA

Ireland became the 12th and final team to qualify for the Men’s Olympic Hockey tournament next summer in Paris by virtue of their 4-3 win over  Korea .Earlier in the afternoon Irish time New Zealand had beaten Pakistan in Oman to become the 11th team to make it and the winner of this game was thus going to be the  12th and last team to make the games.

This amounted to a win or bust match for the Irish Men’s senior hockey team. Anything other than outright victory would mean no Irish team in the Olympic Hockey tournament this summer in Paris. With the women having been beaten yesterday by Great Britain this was the last chance saloon for Irish hockey at this year’s Olympic Summer games in Paris. Ireland were trying to qualify for the Olympics for the first time since Rio in 2016 and only the third time in history. Korea were trying to qualify for the first time since 2012 when they qualified at Ireland’s expense in Dublin. Ireland dominated the opening quarter and forced numerous penalty corners. The last of these in the first quarter was finished to the net by Matthew Nelson in the 14th minute. Ireland 1 Korea 0. Korea almost equalized straight from the start of quarter two but were denied by Harte. Ireland  their lead in the 18th minute Sean Murray gathered possession and ran inside the D. He slipped the ball to McKee who fed the ball to Johnson who smashed the ball to the roof of the net. IRELAND 2 KOREA 0 .

Korea were awarded a penalty corner in the 22nd minute. Harte saved the first effort a second one rebounded off the post and Kim Junghoo opened Korea’s account in the 23rd minute. IRELAND 2 KOREA1. Ireland responded almost immediately . Sean Murray the captain cut inside the D and slipped a pass which John McKee first timed to the net to make it IRELAND 3 KOREA 1 in the 24th minute. Korea got the score back to 3-2 from a penalty corner in the closing seconds converted by Jeong Junwoo. HALF TIMESCORE IRELAND 3 KOREA 2.

After a few good saves by Korean keeper Kim Jaehyeon, Ireland were awarded a penalty corner. Shane O’Donoghue converted the penalty corner to make it IRELAND 4 KOREA 2 in the 38th minute. Korea reduced the deficit to one a minute later when Harte was penalised and J ANG Jonghyin stuck home the penalty stroke. IRELAND 4 KOREA 3. Korea looked to have scored shortly before the end of the quarter. Luke Madeley’s attempted clearance deflected off the back of Korea’s LEE Nam Yung, David Harte’s chest and trickled over the line. The umpire referred it to the video umpire. The decision was a penalty corner for Korea. From the resultant penalty corner Jonathan Lynch cleared the ball off the goal line. Lee Nam Yung was yellow carded for 10 minutes for an incident at the end of third quarter.

Ireland had to withstand a period of sustained pressure once Lee returned to the field. Korea withdrew their goalkeeper in favour of an extra outfield player. But Ireland remained disciplined and defended well. The final whistle went. Ireland are back at the Olympic games beating Korea was all the sweeter given the events of 2012. It ended Ireland 4 Korea 3. The Irish men will be at the Hockey tournament of the Paris Olympics in 2024.

After the game we spoke with Mark Tumelty

“We’ve done it. I had a lot of belief in this group. I did think though it might comedown to this final game  before the tournament. The guys have delivered and we are on our way to the games. Very pleased for the players, we had to rebuild the squad after Vancouver and this a reward for all the work they put in and all the sacrifices they have made to get there.”

“We have a very busy period, between now and the summer , in the run up to the games”.

“We have the FIH Pro League, a trip to India and the games themselves in Paris. The Pro League will be 16 games against the top 8nations  in the world and that in itself will be excellent preparation for the Olympic tournament in July- August.”

IRELAND:  David Harte, Luke Madeley, Shane O’Donoghue, Tim Cross, Lee Cole; Daragh Walsh, Nicholas Page, Sean Murray (C), John McKee, Jeremy Duncan, Michael Robson  SUBS USED: Matthew Nelson,  Kyle Marshall, Peter Mckibbin, Jonathan  Lynch, Sam Hyland, Ben Johnson

KOREA : KIM  Jaehyeon (GK), KIM Hyeonhong;J UNG Manjae,  HWANG  Taeil, LEE Jungjun,  JI Woocheon, KIM  Sunghyun,  LEE  Seunghoon, KIM Hyeongjin, JANG  Jonghyun, YANG Jihun,  SUBS USED:  JEONG Junwoo, PARKChedeon, SEO  Inwoo,  KIM Junghoo,  SON  Dain, LEE  NamYong, KIM Jaehan

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EY2 Weekend Roundup, January 20th, 2024

SATURDAY JANUARY 20, 2024

 

EYHL 2 MEN POOL A

BANGOR   5 – 4 QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY, BANGOR AURORA

A nine goal all Ulster thriller got Pool A underway at Bangor Aurora. Callum Duncan scored from open play to make the score Bangor 1 Queen’s 0 in the 11th minute. Ruben Boyd increased Bangor’s lead from open play in the 16th minute. The Students responded when Conor Irwin converted a penalty corner in the 17th minute. Conor Irwin got his second goal from his second penalty corner conversion in  the 31st minute to level the score at 2-2.

Nathan Belshaw restored Bangor’s lead in the 36th minute from open play  to make it 3-2 . Andrew Clarke equalised for Queen’s in the 53rd minute with another goal from open play 3-3. Samuel McMillan restored Bangor’s lead yet again on the hour mark to make it 4-3. Harry Scott responded for the students in the 67th minute from open play and in the final minute Bangor sealed a win through Ryan Burgess to make the final score5-4.

 

PEMBROKE WANDERERS 3-2 AVOCA, SERPENTINE AVENUE

Marshall Puzey put the visitors one up in this game in Pool A . But two goals from penalty corners in the 24th and 40th minute respectively by Jack Flanagan put Pembroke Wanderers 2-1 ahead. David Lynch scored a 3rd goal for Wanderers from open play in the 49th minute a last minute goal for Avoca by Guy Sarratt from open play proved a late consolation as it finished 3-2 to Pembroke Wanderers.

 

EYHL 2  MEN POOLB

CORK CHURCH OF IRELAND 1- 0 SOUTH ANTRIM, GARRYDUFF

Cork Church Of Ireland secured a win at Garryduff, in their Pool B match against South Antrim through a single goal by Harry Jackson in the 64th minute.

 

CORK HARLEQUINS 3 – 1 RAILWAY UNION, HARLEQUINS PARK, FARMER’S CROSS  

Julian Dale grabbed a hat-trick as Cork Harlequins grabbed three points in their opening Pool B game in the EYHL 2. His first goal was a converted penalty corner after 5 minutes to make 1-0 to Harlequins.

Dale’s second of the game also from a converted penalty corner in the 18th minute made it 2-0 to Harlequins. Jan Trejbal got Railway Union on the scoresheet when he converted a penalty corner in the 21st minute to make it 2-1 to Harlequins. Dale completed his hat-trick with a goal from open play on32 minutes to make the score 3-1 and it remained thus to the final whistle.

 

EYHL 2 WOMEN POOL A

CORK HARLEQUINS  3- 0  KILKENNY, HARLEQUINS PARK, FARMER’S CROSS

Former international Cliodhna Sargent gave Harlequins the lead in the 15th minute from a penalty corner.  Anne O’Farrell increased their lead in the 57th minute from open play and captain Michelle Barry sealed the victory with two minutes to go to make it Harlequins 3 Kilkenny 0 at full time.

 

GREENFIELDS  0-3 BELFAST HARLEQUINS, SPORTS CAMPUS IRELAND ABBOTSTOWN

Connacht Women’s Division 1 side Greenfields played their home game against Belfast Harlequins at Sports Campus Ireland this afternoon.

It was their Ulster Premier Women’s League opponents who had the upper hand getting all three points and keeping a clean sheet into the bargain.

Susie McCollum opened the scoring for Harlequins in the 31st minute when she converted a penalty corner. Two goals from open play scored in the 53rd and 55th minutes by Emma Fraser secured the three points for the Ulsterwomen.

 

EYHL 2  WOMEN POOL B

ARDS 1 – 2 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK, LONDONDERRY PARK

Munster Senior Leaguers UCC travelled to Newtownards and came away with a 2-1 win over Ards. Jane Murphy gave the students the lead converting a penalty corner in the 4th minute to put the Cork side 1-0 up. Rachel Houston equalised for the Ulster Women’s Premier Leaguers when she converted a penalty corner in the 18th minute. But all three points were on their way south when Jane Murphy got her second goal of the match with another penalty corner conversion in the 48th minute to secure the 2-1 win for UCC.

 

MUCKROSS 3- 0 UNIVERSITYOF GALWAY   MUCKROSS PARK  

Muckross opened their Pool B account with a comfortable win over Connacht Women’s Division 1 side University of Galway. Jenny Buttimer opened the scoring from a penalty corner in the 39th minute. Mia Phelan Sweeney made it 2-0 from another penalty corner in the 49th minute. Julia Holmes completed the job in the 57th minute with a goal from open play to secure a 3-0 win .

 

MEN’S IRISH SENIOR CUP

 

N.I. CIVIL SERVICE 9  – 0 COOKSTOWN      

NICS had a comprehensive win over Cookstown in the First round of the Irish Senior Cup. They will be in the hat for the second round draw. Some of the first round ties have still to be played over the next few weeks.

 

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Irish heartache as Women’s Hockey team lose out on Olympic Qualification following GB defeat

 

IRELAND  1 : 2  GREAT BRITAIN 

 

Valencia, Jan 20: In 2015 Ireland suffered Olympic heartbreak in Valencia and in2024 suffered heartbreak yet again. Great Britain went into this game having qualified for every Olympics except 2004. Ireland’s women on the other hand had only ever qualified for the Olympics in Tokyo which were deferred until 2021due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Ireland’s most recent victory over Great Britain going into this match was an unofficial international warm up match ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in Belfast during 2020 when travel was restricted. In major tournaments where the caps counted as did the ranking points Great Britain always enjoyed the upper hand. This was the history as Ireland entered the bronze medal win or bust final this afternoon in Valencia.

Ireland started well but Great Britain were dangerous on the counterattack. Indeed, the first clear cut scoring opportunity fell to the 2016 Gold medallists. Katie Robertson almost opened the scoring for Great Britain. She lobbed McFerren but Charlotte Beggs cleared it off the line. Her second effort was hit away by McFerren’s block in the 8th minute. Ireland dominated possession in the closing stages of the first quarter, Ireland 0 Great Britain 0. Great Britain took the lead in the 18th minute after a counterattack into the Irish D they were awarded a penalty corner. Sarah Jones deflected the ball past Ayeisha McFerren, Ireland 0 Great Britain 1.

Great Britain had the better of the possession for the rest of the half save for a breakaway by Katie Mullan whose cross deflected skywards was deemed dangerous and ended up with a free hit out of their own D for Great Britain half time score was Ireland 0 Great Britain 1.  The main feature of the third quarter from an Irish point of view was that Deirdre Duke left the field through injury.

Sarah Jones crossed a ball later in the quarter which Ayeisha McFerren had to kick clear. Ireland were awarded a penalty corner in the 41st minute. Ireland were only able to win a long corner from the penalty corner. Ireland had a reasonable amount of possession in the third quarter and were on the attack when the end of third quarter hooter sounded. Score remained Ireland 0Great Britain 1.

Katie Robertson got the first Great Britain goal of her career to put Great Britain 2-0 ahead in the 46th minute. Ireland withdrew goalkeeper McFerren in favour of an extra outfield player with 6minutes to go.

Best chance fell to Sarah Torrans who shot wide. Ireland were awarded a penalty corner which Great Britain referred to the video umpire. The umpire upheld the decision, and they lost their video referral. Heesh saved from McLoughlin. Ireland were looking for another penalty corner which was referred to the video umpire by Ireland, the penalty corner was awarded and Heesh saved and also blocked the rebound from Niamh Carey .

In the final minute Ireland tried to get on the scoreboard. In the last seconds Ireland looked for a penalty corner and it was referred to the video umpire. Ireland were awarded the penalty corner. McLoughlin’s first effort hit a foot and Ireland were awarded another penalty corner. Ireland scored through Hannah McLoughlin with the last hit of the game to make it Ireland 1 Great Britain 2,  but the clock had run out and so did our Olympic hopes.

IRELAND:  Ayeisha McFerren, Róisín Upton, Niamh Carey, Sarah Hawkshaw, Katie Mullan (C), Hannah McLoughlin, Naomi Carroll, Ellen  Curran, Charlotte Beggs, Katie McKee, Beth Harper

SUBS USED: Sarah McAuley, Michelle Carey, Sarah Torrans, Elena Neill,  Chloe Watkins, Deirdre Duke, Liz Murphy (GK)

GREAT BRITAIN: Sabbie Heesh (GK), Lily Owsley, Anna Toman, Hannah French, Sarah Jones, Sarah Robertson, Isabelle Petter, Giselle Ansley, Hollie Pearne-Webb (C), Fiona Crackles, Sophie Hamilton

SUBS USED: Amy Costello, Elena Rayer, Tessa Howard, Katie Robertson, Laura Roper,  Lily Walker

IRELAND:    Ayeisha McFerren, Róisín Upton, Niamh Carey, Sarah Hawkshaw, Katie Mullan (C), Hannah McLoughlin, Naomi Carroll, Ellen  Curran, Charlotte Beggs, Katie McKee, Beth Harper

SUBS USED: Sarah McAuley, Michelle Carey, Sarah Torrans, Elena Neill,  Chloe Watkins, Deirdre Duke, Liz Murphy (GK)

 

GREAT BRITAIN:  Sabbie Heesh (GK), Lily Owsley, Anna Toman, Hannah French, Sarah Jones, Sarah Robertson, Isabelle Petter, Giselle Ansley, Hollie Pearne-Webb (C), Fiona Crackles, Sophie Hamilton

SUBS USED: Amy Costello, Elena Rayer, Tessa Howard, Katie Robertson, Laura Roper,  Lily Walker

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Ireland Men Lose To Spain But Olympic Qualification Still Awaits

IRELAND 0:2 SPAIN

 

Valencia, Jan 19: For the second time in two days Ireland took on Spain in an Olympic Qualification tournament semi-final and this time it was the turn of the men. Before the game began it was a case of win and Ireland go to the Olympics in the summer, lose and face a third place play off with a second chance to make those games. The Irish seemed to have the weather on their side as the game took place in a wet and windy Valencia this morning.

A close and tightly fought first quarter produced few if any goal scoring opportunities but whatever chances there were both defences coped with admirably. Spain looked potentially very threatening on their counter-attack and Ireland had to be on top of their defensive game to keep them at bay. While both goalkeepers were called into action it was only on a handful of occasions. It was no surprise that the second quarter produced no goals although the home side had the better opportunities Ireland did have one penalty corner which Spanish goalkeeper Calzado cleared. Spain were actually on the attack as the halftime hooter sounded Spain 0 Ireland 0.

The third quarter saw the home side in the ascendancy, and they took the lead from a penalty corer in the 35th minute, initial effort was blocked at the post by Lee Cole. Rafael Vilallonga reacted quickest to the rebound to score. Spain1 Ireland 0. Marc Miralles converted a second penalty corner in the 39th minute to put them 2-0 up. The third quarter ended Spain 2 Ireland 0. Ireland continued to press to try and get back into the game Calzado saved well from Shane O’Donoghue. Spain’s third quarter double goal salvo was enough to give them the win and a place in the Paris Olympics. Ireland go into a third-place match against Korea on Sunday afternoon. It finished Spain 2 Ireland 0.

 

After the match we spoke to Irish Head Coach Mark Tumilty:

 

“We came in at half-time level which was where we had wanted to be. But Spain came at us strongly in quarter three and took their two goals from penalty corners and got the better of us. They tend to do well in quarter three in matches.”

“Spain deserved their win, even though we had a few chances to score in the final quarter. Going into this tournament based on World rankings we thought we might have to go to the bronze medal match, and we are where we expected to be and have prepared for that.”

“Whoever we end up against be it Belgium or Korea, they will offer a different challenge. We need to be more clinical at taking our opportunities in front of goal if we are going to achieve our target”.

 

IRELAND:  David Harte, Luke Madeley, Shane O’Donoghue, Tim Cross, Lee Cole, Daragh Walsh, Nicholas Page, Sean Murray (C), John McKee, Jeremy Duncan, Michael Robson

SUBS USED: Matthew Nelson, Kyle Marshall, Peter Mckibbin, Jonathan Lynch, Sam Hyland, Ben Johnson

SPAIN; Luiz Calzano (GK), Alejandro Alonso, Xavier Gispert, Alvaro Iglesias, José Basterra, Marc Miralles (C), Jordi Bonastre, Pepe Cunill, Joaquin Menini, Borja Lacallé, Alvaro Portugal

SUBS USED: Enrique Gonzalez, Marc Recasens, Marc Reyne, Ignacio Rodriguez, Gerard Clapes, Rafael Vilallonga

 

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