Auckland, November 16: The Ireland Women O55 Hockey Team have been crowned Silver Medallists in the World Masters Hockey World Cup in New Zealand early this morning. Just a single goal could separate Ireland and England in a very tense final, with England coming away with gold.
The side earned their place in the knockout stages having come second in Group C thanks to a 2 – 1 win over Australia, a 2 – 2 draw with hockey superpower the Netherlands, and a goalless draw against Argentina IMC.
Ireland then followed this up with two incredible performances beating Scotland 2-0 in their Quarter Final before thrashing South Africa 5-0 in the semi-final, to book their place in the World Cup Final.
The final which was held in the North Harbour Hockey Stadium in Auckland where they faced England at 01:15am Irish Time early on Saturday morning.
In an exceptionally tense and closely fought final, the sides went into half-time level, with chances coming down both ends. It wasn’t until late in the third quarter when the deadlock was broken, England’s Julia Butterworth scored in the 48th minute. Despite continuously pushing to level, the game ultimately ended 1-0 in England’s favour and Ireland took home the silver medal.
The side become one of very few Irish teams to be able to claim they have played in a World Cup Final, following the footsteps of the Ireland Senior Women’s Hockey Team, who also achieved this rare feat in 2018 when they face The Netherlands in the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup in London.
Also competing in Auckland were the Ireland O50 Women who came 6th overall, and the Ireland O55 men who finished 8th.
IRELAND: Sinéad Guilfoyle [GK]; Julie Bell; Jane Salter; Helen Kilroy; Julie Fisher; Annie Lawlor; Joanne O’Grady; Maria Whelan; Linda Jenkinson [C]; Kathy Shaw; Rosaline Burke; Anne Young; Jacqui Freyne: Marian O’Brien; Julie Shaw, Karen Long-Eacrett; Catherine Johnston, Kathy Cunningham
Coach: Mary Logue
Manager: Sarah Kavanagh
Physio: Jean Roche