, ,

South Africa complete SPAR Indoor Series in style

SPAR Indoor Hockey Series
Ireland 1 (M Power) South Africa 4 (E Molikoe 2, J Lardant, T Kock)
South Africa finished strong to win both the final test and the SPAR Indoor Hockey Series 4-1 at Gormanston Park in front of another big crowd at Áras Preston.

Overall, Ireland shone in game one, winning against world number 14 side South Africa for the first, 3-2, in game one but the visitors bounced back to win four on the spin, showing their know-how on the boards.

On Friday, coach Rob Abbott innovated from the start, going with six outfielders and no goalkeeper for most of the first quarter. They took the lead in the seventh minute when teenager Mikayla Power latched onto a chance and flicked in for her third international goal.

South Africa replied in kind, Jessica Lardant equalising from a penalty corner switch and they went in front just before half-time courtesy of Olympian Edith Molikoe’s first of this contest.

The third quarter was one for the goalkeepers with Millie Regan making a string of saves while Charlize Swanepoel did brilliantly to keep out Lily Lloyd and Sarah Patton.

The killer blow, though, came with 22 seconds to go in that stanza as Tamlyn Kock found some space to make it 3-1.

There was plenty of brave defence in the final quarter with Emma Buckley saving a penalty stroke – her second in succession indoors – and Amy Benson deflected over a corner as Kayla de Waal endured a frustrating evening from a personal perspective.

But it was all done and dusted when Molikoe netted with two minutes to go.

While the visitors took the laurels, the series was a promising one for Ireland as big crowds greeted each tie with post-match meet-and-greets with young fans proving particularly popular.

Regan was named the Irish player of the series for her performances between the posts and she says it will be an important milestone in developing this code.

“It’s been an unbelievable event,” she said. “Every night, we have had kids in, growing the game in this country and it is definitely on the up. SPAR have been unbelievable in their support and we really can’t thank them enough.

“Coming into this, we knew it was going to be a tough test against the world number 14 and luckily I played my part this week but there were a lot of girls out there on the court who could have easily got that award.”

As for those saves with her helmet, she added: “We’ve got all the gear! Why not use it?”

It concludes the indoor season locally with Ireland hosting 11 international games over the winter, the first time they have done so since the 1980s.

Ireland: L Graham, O Macken, M Power, O Fox, S Patton, A Benson
Subs: M Regan, E Buckley, K Kimber, R McMullen, H Kelly, L Lloyd

South Africa: N Serage, J Southgate, D de Oliveira, E Molikoe, J O’Connor, E Walters
Subs: K de Waal, J Lardant, R Johnson, T Kock, D van Taak, C Swanepoel

/by
,

South Africa take laurels on day four of SPAR Indoor Hockey Series

SPAR Indoor Hockey Series
Ireland 1 (O Fox) South Africa 3 (K de Waal 2, E Walters)
South Africa took game four and the overall series victory in the SPAR Indoor Hockey Series as Kayla de Waal turned on the style at Gormanston Park with a virtuoso double in front of a packed house.

It made it three on the bounce for the visitors after Ireland had won the opening tie on Monday with the series coming to a close on Friday night.

After a lively opening, De Waal broke the deadlock in the seventh minute with a super spin in mid-circle to force the ball over the line. It continued her goal a game record in the series to date.

Ireland replied in kind, winning two penalty corners but the SA defence were well organised by Jessica O’Connor – becoming their most capped indoor international on the night – and they held things tight throughout.

De Waal, with a classy corner, doubled up in the 15th minute and was only denied a hat trick by a super Emma Buckley save.

Ireland ramped up their performance in the second half with the diminutive Laura Graham winning two corners but Charlize Swanepoel was in inspired form between the posts.

Millie Regan was too, denying Danielle de Oliveira after some serious hustle forced the chance. Rob Abbott swapped out his goalkeeper with six minutes to go to try and force a comeback and it did lead to multiple chances, Lily Lloyd going closest.

But South Africa took advantage of their extra player with Eloise Walters getting on the end of a big chance to make it 3-0. Orla Fox got one back from the penalty spot in the closing seconds.

Ireland: E Buckley, S Patton, L Graham, M Power, O Patton, A Benson
Subs: S Barnwell, S Campbell, O Fox, K Kimber, L Lloyd, M Regan

South Africa: N Serage, J Southgate, D de Oliveira, E Molikoe, J O’Connor, E Walters
Subs: K de Waal, T Kock, R Johnson, J Lardant, D van Taak, C Swanepoel

/by
,

South Africa edge defensive battle in SPAR Indoor Series game three

SPAR Indoor Hockey Series
Ireland 0 South Africa 1 (K de Waal)
Kayla de Waal’s 26th minute solo goal was all that stood between South Africa and Ireland on day three of the SPAR Indoor Hockey Series in Gormanston Park.

The win edged the visitors in front in the series 2-1 with further games at the same venue on Thursday and Friday evening.

Indeed, it was far cagier than the first two outings in which Ireland prevailed 3-2 before the African side bounced back to succeed 5-3 in game two.

The first quarter was the first stanza of the series not to trouble the scoreboard. Both sides had a corner each but neither drew a save from either Emma Buckley or Nepo Serage.

Likewise, the second quarter settled into a maze of patience with Rob Abbott’s Irish side settling into a dice formation which limited chances despite some neat South African passing moves.

Amy Benson had the biggest Irish chance but Jessica O’Connor did enough to snuff out the danger, keeping it scoreless into half-time.

Soon after the big break, it appeared to be opening up as South Africa earned a couple of corners while Ireland countered well.

But the vital moment came when de Waal swooped to rob Chloe Brown in her own circle and, in the next movement, flicked to the corner, inducing a fist-pump that has become her trademark this week.

Ireland battled hard to eke out an equaliser, Benson going closest from an excellent Brown set-up while de Waal hit the outside of the post for a potential insurance goal with two minutes to go.

Ireland: E Buckley, O Macken, O Fox, C Brown, O Patton, A Benson
Subs: H Kelly, L Lloyd, E Curran, M Regan, S Barnwell, R McMullen

South Africa: N Serage, J Southgate, D de Oliveira, E Molikoe, K de Waal, J O’Connor
Subs: R Johnson, D van Taak, T Kock, C Swanepoel E Walters, J Lardant

/by
, ,

Ireland land first indoor win over South Africa in SPAR series

SPAR Indoor Hockey Series
Ireland 3 (C Brown 2, M Power) South Africa 2 (J Lardant, K de Waal)
Chloe Brown’s penalty corner two minutes from time saw Ireland pick up their first ever indoor international win over South Africa at the seventh attempt on day one of the SPAR Indoor Hockey Series in Gormanston College.

She struck the odd goal in five of a cracking, physical contest with the Irish goalkeepers Millie Regan – in the first half – and Emma Buckley after half-time put in outstanding shifts.

Early on, the visitors – who won all six meetings between the sides in 2019 – made the early moves with Edith Molikoe going within inches of breaking the deadlock while Regan used all parts of her padding, including her helmet to keep out a few early chances.

The hosts, meanwhile, went in front when Orla Macken pulled out a range of skills and won a corner which Brown expertly slotted away.

Ireland moved two up in the second quarter when Mikayla Power cleaned up a bouncing effort in the middle of the circle.

South Africa, though, started their comeback in the seconds before half-time when Jessica Lardant responded with a corner shot, 2-1 at the break.

The third quarter went back and forth with the Kayla de Waal equalising for SA and they almost got another when Eloise Walters’ shot – in her 50th international match – deflected in, but high and slightly off target with her initial shot.

The home side were denied from three corners in the closing seconds of the third quarter before the ship steadied. There were chances a plenty but Ireland won a vital corner with just under two seconds to go; it was switched left where Brown slotted in.

South Africa had some late moments but Ireland managed to hold on for the result. The sides meet again each night this week with games on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 7pm and the game on Wednesday at 6pm.

Ireland: M Regan, O Macken, M Power, C Brown, O Fox, A Benson
Subs: E Buckley, S Patton, S Barnwell, K Kimber, L Graham, H Kelly

South Africa: N Serage, J Southgate, E Molikoe, E Walters, K de Waal, J O’Connor
Subs: D de Oliveira, T Kock, R Johnson, J Lardant, D van Taak, C Swanepoel

/by
, ,

Latest Irish Under-18 boys panel named for 2022 schedule

The latest Irish Under-18 boys panel has been named with a view to their 2022 campaign. They will play in a five nations tournament in Lilleshall, England from April 14 to 18 before hosting Scotland for three games from July 1 to 3 in UUJ.

In mid-July, they will play in an international tournament in Germany against the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, England and Spain.

Province Club School
Ben Pasley Leinster Three Rock Rovers The High School
Callum McCourt Munster Bandon Bandon Grammar
Charlie Rowe Ulster Banbridge Banbridge Academy
Cian Dorgan Munster Cork C of I Ashton
Conor Matthews Ulster Annadale Sullivan Upper
Conor Murphy GK Leinster Avoca Newpark Comprehensive
Harry Dagg Leinster Avoca Temple Carrig
James Clark Ulster Annadale Methodist College Belfast
James Evans Ulster Banbridge Banbridge Academy
Jamie Spratt Ulster North Down Regent House Grammar
Josh Gill Leinster Three Rock Rovers Wesley College
Louis Rowe Ulster Banbridge HC Banbridge Academy
Mackenzie Connor Ulster Lisnagarvey Friends’ School Lisburn
Matthew McKee Ulster Banbridge Banbridge Academy
Matthew Stevenson Ulster Banbridge Banbridge Academy
Max Anderson Ulster Cookstown Cookstown High School
Patrick McElhinney Ulster Annadale Methodist College Belfast
Rex Dunlop Leinster Three Rock Rovers The Kings Hospital
Rhys Armah-Kwantreng Leinster Monkstown St Andrew’s College
Robbie Duffy GK Leinster Monkstown Newpark Comprehensive
Sam Hickmott Leinster Monkstown HC St Andrew’s College
Scott Hosick GK Ulster Lisnagarvey Friends’ School Lisburn
Tiarnan Gaffney Munster Catholic Institute Villiers School
Tommy Dobson Ulster Banbridge Banbridge Academy
Alex Lynch DEV Leinster Three Rock Rovers The High School
Ben Pollock DEV Ulster Banbridge Banbridge Academy
Mark Cuddy DEV Ulster Cookstown Cookstown High School
Sam Dale DEV Munster Cork Harlequins Bandon Grammar
Allen Lyons TBA Ulster Annadale Royal Belfast Academical Institution
Peter Keappock TBA Munster Waterford Newtown School, Waterford
Sam Chapman GK – TBA Leinster YMCA Wesley College

* DEV denotes for Development

* TBA denotes To Be Assessed

/by
, ,

Garvey through in ISC as Queen’s, North Down and Avoca into IHT finals

Lisnagarvey produced a defensive masterclass to outdo Three Rock Rovers and advance to the final four of the men’s Irish Senior Cup, winning 2-0 at Grange Road.

With Jonny Bell marsahlling things, they gave precious few chances to the current EY Hockey League leaders and eventually took their chances in the second half to win a big battle.

Indeed, they might have been in the clear earlier in the contest but for some outstanding Conor Quinn goalkeeping – not for the first time this season – as he denied Troy Chambers and James Lorimer early on.

Rovers were shy a number of their front line with Ben Johnson, Luke Adams and Evan Jennings out of action and they struggled to get much traction, the pick of their chances flashing just wide from Ross Canning before half-time.

Garvey went in front with half an hour to go when Ben Nelson charged down a couple of attempted clearances and followed up to give his older brother Matthew the chance to swipe home. They looked the more likely to strike again and they were two to the good in the last 10 minutes when Andy Edgar flicked home from the penalty spot after a swift counter-attack.

Peter Blakeney whizzed a corner shot just wide in the dying moments but Lisnagarvey were well worth their win, setting up a semi-final date with Glenanne.

In the men’s Irish Hockey Trophy, the all-Ulster semi-finals yielded a final showdown between North Down and Queen’s after they overcame South Antrim (6-2) and Portadown (3-2), respectively.

In the women’s Irish Senior Cup, Banbridge and Catholic Institute’s quarter-final was postponed for a second time.


Avoca reached the final of the Irish Hockey Trophy with a shoot-out win over YMCA. Orla O’Brien had Avoca 1-0 up until the closing minutes before YMCA withdrew their goalkeeper in favour of an extra outfielder and it paid dividends when Naoise Carraher netted for 1-1.

But they could not carry that momentum into the shoot-out where Avoce won out 3-1 with efforts from Aoife Grogan, Anna Richardson and Sarah Dillon, Joanne O’Grady getting YMCA’s reply.

Men
Irish Senior Cup, quarter-final: Three Rock Rovers 0 Lisnagarvey 2 (M Nelson, A Edgar)
Irish Hockey Trophy, semi-finals: North Down 6 (P Templeton 2, J Orr, G McKeown, A Welsh, J Gilmore) South Antrim 2 (M Taylor, J Brown); Queens University 3 (H Scott 2, C Irwin) Portadown 2

Women
Irish Senior Cup, quarter-final: Banbridge v Catholic Institute – postponed
Irish Hockey Trophy, semi-finals: Avoca 1 (O O’Brien) YMCA 1 (N Carraher), Avoca win shoot-out 3-1; Raphoe v Ashton – postponed

/by
,

Old Alex land key win in women’s EYHL as Corinthian shine in Division Two

It was a quiet weekend in the women’s EY Hockey League with one game each in Divisions One and Two, initially postponed from before Christmas.

Women’s EY Hockey League
Old Alex 1 (A Russell) Pegasus 0
Old Alex won an enthralling, if not high scoring game, with Abbie Russell’s single goal just before the end of the third quarter lifting the Milltown side up to a share of third spot with each club now having played 12 games.

Pegasus had the better of the first half with Alex Speers getting a lot of joy on the right sided attack but she came up against Holly Micklem – following her recent call-up to the Irish senior squad for their trip to France – who was in super form.

The ball seemed magnetised to the goalkeeper’s boot as she kicked away four corner shots and brilliantly slid out to deny Speers when through one-on-one. Lena Tice was also impressive with timely tackles and interceptions as the Dubliners hung tough.

In the second, half Old Alex took the upper hand and created some good chances from open play, causing panic stations when Millie O’Donnell, Jessica McGirr and Tice all testing Megan Todd in one melee.

McGirr had a goal initially awarded when her rising slap went up off Shirley McCay’s back and over Todd; after consultation, it was ruled out for the danger created.

Alex did get their goal when Niamh Sweeney slid a backhand pass to Mikayla Power whose one-time deflection across goal was out of reach of the goalkeeper to the back post where Abbie Russell was waiting to apply a diving tip-in.

The hosts ran up a couple more corners and Emma Russell went close with a powerful shot but without the insurance goal, the game remained lively right through to the final whistle.

EY Hockey League Division 2, Group A: Corinthian 3 (L Motyer 2, C Seggie) Galway 0
Laura Motyer’s double helped Corinthian move into a share of top spot in Group A of the women’s EYHL DIvision 2 Group A, seeing off a tough challenge from Galway.

In the early phases, the Connacht side put it up to the Leinster team at Whitechurch Park, winning a couple of corners which caused plenty of danger as Alyssa Manley, Elaine Carey and Rachel Kelly caused plenty of danger.

It was scoreless after the first quarter but Corinthian began to take greater control over the game in Q2 with Camila Arbulo getting things motoring. They took the lead when Christine Seggie scored on the half hour via a corner.

The second half saw that second quarter pattern continue and the reds moved further clear with Jessica Meeke the creator and Motyer the scorer on two occasions. Their first interaction saw Meeke slide a backhand pass into the danger zone for 2-0 on 45 minutes and they reprised that link-up in the last 10 minutes for the third.

At the mid-point in this group, Corinthian join Ards on 17 points, 10 clear of third placed UCC.

“After a tough first half, we finally got a bit of momentum which are key for us to progress in this league,” said Motyer after the win.

“They were hard to break down, very strong defensively and fair play, too, to our defence who are always strong. We take it one game at a time and hopefully we will be there for the playoffs at the end of the season.

For Galway’s part, player-coach Manley – an Olympian from 2016 – said her side’s performance was a big step-up for them in their maiden season in EYHL2.

“It was good. We have struggled in matches coming out hard from the start and this was probably our best start,” she said.

“Over the course of the season, we have shown a lot of growth and that showed in this match. We have a lot of young players who are getting more and more confident to play at this level and it is really exciting to see them grow.

“I really like it over here. If I was back home in the US, now that I am not in the US team, I wouldn’t be able to play hockey. Coming over to do a masters at NUIG, getting to continue playing hockey is really great. Galway is like a little family and the support system is really great.”

/by
,

The Railway six push to the limit in Turkey

Six proved the operative number as Railway Union finished sixth out of six at the women’s EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy in Alanya, Turkey but that only told half the story.

In a bizarre run of misfortune, the Sandymount club only ended up with the bare minimum six eligible players who played every single minute of their five games – bar the odd one-minute green card suspension – picking up five points along the way.

Among other issues, Emma Buckley was ruled out with a foot injury and the past week also saw Holly Jenkinson out with a broken hand and Sarah Patton falling sick in midweek.

Michelle Carey had planned to join the side on Friday evening but a passport issue left her stranded in Hamburg. With the issues occurring after the EHF deadline to add players to their long-list, it left Railway unable to fill in the gaps at short notice.

While the situation could have proven disheartening, they rolled with the punches to be highly competitive in each game. Importantly, with two other clubs withdrawing, Ireland will keep their place in this second tier competition which otherwise would have been lost if Railway followed suit.

“Maybe there was a little sense of foreboding the day before the tournament when essentially everything that could go wrong, went wrong,” captain Orla Fox said after their final match on Sunday.

“But when the matches started, we just accepted the situation and didn’t feel under pressure for any of it because, sure, any result we got out of this was a bonus! I definitely think that helped everyone feel relaxed and free to play whatever way we wanted.

“We headed over with not the ideal setup but the team atmosphere has been incredible. We didn’t put pressure on ourselves, just play the process and trying to celebrate each small win in each game. When we got into it, we thought, hey, we can really compete here and try and play as much of our own game as possible!”

Day one showed they could cause problems, holding English champions Buckingham scoreless for the first 26 of 40 minutes with a “deep-house” defensive setup, designed to essentially park the bus and conserve energy.

They went on to lose that one 5-0 but the method worked a treat against eventual runners-up SK Slavia Praha, Lloyd sisters Kate and Lily using their prodigious skills to wreak havoc on the counter. Kate netted and a 28th Fox corner earned a 2-2 draw.

On Saturday, Austria’s SV Arminen edged out Railway 2-1 while the tournament hosts and winners Gaziantep were pushed closer than by any other side.

That one finished 3-2 to the Turks, outdoing Kate Lloyd and Orla Patton strikes as Railway went agonisingly close to an equaliser in the final quarter from a corner.

It proved a similar outcome against Scotland’s Clydesdale Western in a dramatic endgame on Sunday morning. It went tit-for-tat with Kate Lloyd making it 1-1, Lily Lloyd scoring for 2-2 and then Fox equalised in the final minute for 3-3.

The Scots, though, snagged a winner with 29 seconds to go to deny another famous result in the circumstances.

Nonetheless, Fox can reflect on a tournament that will live long in her and her team’s memory.

“The support has been phenomenal from those who travelled over to those back home, it has been a fantastic trip and we are really looking forward to next year and hopefully having a few more players along with us to compete even more!

“Our games were the closest ones in the tournament! I know it’s unofficial but, to be honest, I’d say we were the team of the tournament as all of our games were the most competitive! Definitely disappointed not to get the win against the Scottish team in the last game too but we’ll definitely get them next year!”

Women
EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy:
Friday: Railway Union 0 Buckingham 5; Railway Union 2 (K Lloyd, O Fox) Sk Slavia Praha 2
Saturday: Railway Union 1 (O Patton) SV Arminen 2; Railway Union 2 (K Lloyd, O Patton) Gaziantep 3
Sunday: Railway Union 3 (K Lloyd, L Lloyd, O Fox) Clydesdale Western 4

Standings: 1. Gaziantep (TUR) 25 pts (+10) 2. SK Slavia Praha (CZE) 17pts (+6) 3. Clydesdale Western (SCO) 16 pts (-2) 4. SV Arminen 12pts (-5) 5. Buckingham (ENG) 9pts (-1) 6. Railway Union 5pts (-8)

/by
, ,

Railway in Euro indoor action on lively weekend of action

A varied weekend of action sees games in European indoor action, women’s EYHL 1 and 2, the Irish Senior Cup and the Irish Hockey Trophy on what was initially set to be a relatively quiet fixture list.

For Railway’s women, they start bright and early on Friday morning in Alanya, Turkey in the EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy, facing Buckingham at 8am Irish time.

It has been a tough build-up for the side who recently retained their National Indoor Trophy crown with Emma Buckley and Holly Jenkinson unavailable through injury while, of their successful side from Gormanston, Kate McKenna and Hannah de Burgh Whyte also unable to travel.

As such, they look to the experience of Orla Fox and Orla Patton along with the trickery of Kate and Lily Lloyd; they can play with some freedom knowing there is no relegation this year with two sides withdrawing from the competition.

They also face Slavia Prague on Friday in their second game before meeting Austria’s SV Arminen and Turkish home club Gaziantep on Saturday. The tournament concludes with a final group game on Sunday against Scotland’s Clydesdale.

Elsewhere, on Thursday evening, Loreto won their first match of the new year with a healthy 4-1 win in the teeming rain at Belfield against UCD. The Beaufort side dominated the first half and went into a 3-0 lead with Hannah Matthews getting the ball rolling from a penalty stroke with Yasmin Pratt and Mia Jennings also weighing in.

Siofra O’Brien got their fourth despite UCD having the best of Q3, getting one back via Hannah McLoughlin’s deflected penalty corner. But they could make no further inroads and they drop out of the EY Champions Trophy playoff places with Loreto taking their place inside the top six.

On Saturday, Old Alex will face Pegasus in another rearranged fixture in the last outstanding match of the first 12 rounds of the season. Both need a win to close the gap on the automatic Champions Trophy semi-final spots.

For Pegs, three points would lift them into second place while Alex need a result to keep in touch with the three sides above them.

In EYHL2, Corinthian and Galway will play their refixed at Whitechurch Park with the former hoping to move level with Ards at the head of their group at the halfway stage while the Connacht side aiming for a first win.

The final four for the women’s Irish Senior Cup will be finalised with Banbridge and Catholic Institute both seeking their first journey that far in the competition.

Insta are the obvious favourites having made their way up to second in the EYHL while Bann sit sixth in the Ulster Premier League.

On the men’s side of the competition, there is a potential classic in store at Grange Road where Three Rock Rovers meet Lisnagarvey in the Irish Senior Cup quarter-final.

Rovers are top of the men’s EYHL with Garvey in second but the latter did win their meeting earlier this season, 3-2 at Comber Road. It is the first of two meetings between the teams in Dublin within seven days of each other as they play a crucial league encounter next week too.

The Irish Hockey Trophy semi-finals for men are an all-Ulster affair with North Down facing South Antrim and Queen’s up against Portadown.

On the basis of reaching the top half of the split Ulster Premier Division, South Antrim and Queen’s would be pegged as favourites in these ties.

In the women’s Irish Hockey Trophy, Leinster Division 1 side Avoca face Challenge A side YMCA in a semi-final derby with the other final four tie postponed between Raphoe and Ashton due to the various weather warnings in place in Donegal and Cork.

Thursday 17th February
Women
EY Hockey League: UCD 1 (H McLoughlin) Loreto 4 (H Matthews, Y Pratt, M Jennings, S O’Brien)

Friday 18th February 2022
Women
EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy (Alanya, Turkey – times Irish): Railway Union v Buckingham, 8am; Railway Union v Slavia Prague, 2.15pm

Saturday 19th February 2022
Men
Irish Senior Cup, quarter-final: Three Rock Rovers v Lisnagarvey, Grange Road, 3pm
Irish Hockey Trophy, semi-finals: North Down v South Antrim, Comber LC, 2.40pm; Queens University v Portadown, The Dub, 2.30pm

Women
EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy (Alanya, Turkey – times Irish): Railway Union v SV Arminen, 10.30am; Railway Union v Gaziantep, 3.30pm
EYHL Division 1: Old Alex v Pegasus, Milltown, 1.30pm
EYHL Division 2, Pool 2: Corinthian v Galway, Whitechurch Park, 1.15pm
Irish Senior Cup, quarter-final: Banbridge v Catholic Institute, Havelock Park, 2.45pm
Irish Hockey Trophy, semi-finals: Avoca v YMCA, Newpark, 2.30pm; Raphoe v Ashton, Royal and Prior, 1pm

Sunday 20th February 2022
Women
EuroHockey Indoor Club Trophy (Alanya, Turkey – time Irish): Railway Union v Clydesdale, 7am

/by
, ,

Women’s World Cup draw sees Ireland face Netherlands, Germany and Chile

Ireland’s women will face the world number one side, the Netherlands, in this summer’s World Cup group stages alongside fifth ranked Germany and newcomers Chile following the draw which took place in Terrassa, Spain. 

The draw also means Sean Dancer’s side will be based in Amsterdam for the group stages of the competition, playing their group games between July 1st and 7th in the Wagener Stadium.  

“We’re so excited after watching the draw for the World Cup this summer,” said captain Katie Mullan in the wake of the draw.  

“It will be fantastic to play the Netherlands in their home stadium and to face Germany who we played last year in Tokyo. We know Chile are an up-and-coming team and will be very well prepared this summer so that will be another brilliant game to look forward to. We are super-excited, see you in July!” 

Tickets will go on sale for the event on March 1st via https://wkhockey2022.com/ with the match schedule to be confirmed in due course. 

The match against the all-conquering Dutch will be a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final with the world number one side going on to win the Olympic Games, European Championships and the FIH Pro League since then. 

Germany, meanwhile, are the world number five side and took silver at last summer’s Euros as well as edging out the Green Army in an Olympic thriller, 4-2 in Tokyo. 

Chile are the one newcomer to the competition for this 15th edition of the World Cup having finished second in Pan-America in January. The world number 17 may be fresh-faced on this stage but Ireland know them reasonably well, meeting four times in 2019 in a shared test series in Santiago.  

The winner from each group advances straight to the quarter-finals while second and third place in each group have a playoff game to see if they can also make the final eight. Fourth place goes into the ninth to 16th place playoff series.

FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup, July 1-17 (Terrassa, Spain & Amsterdam, Netherlands) 
Pool A: Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Chile 
Pool B: England, New Zealand, India, China 
Pool C: Argentina, Spain, Korea, Canada 
Pool D: Australia, Belgium, Japan, South Africa

/by