Thursday, December 11 – Dublin: The spirits of Irish fans couldn’t be damped despite the Irish weather as the flocks of hockey fans braved the afternoon rain to watch Ireland beat England in a thrilling shootout.
The day began in equally as exciting a fashion, with England and Belgium playing out an FIH Hockey Pro League classic at 11:00 at the Sport Ireland Campus. England scored in the opening quarter as they looked to avenge their defeat to Germany the day before. Belgium pulled a goal back in the final quarter, then grabbed the lead in the final seven minutes through Nelson Onana. But there was a final twist in the tail as Jacob Payton grabbed the equaliser at the death to force a shootout, which England went on to win.
The main event of the day, the Ireland Women’s match against England, followed just after with fans on the sideline defying the rainy weather to see their heroes in action. Ireland were dominant, going a goal up in quarter two thanks to Sarah Torrans. But England pulled a goal back early in the second half, forcing a thrilling shootout.
Lizzy Murphy shrouded herself in glory, saving the decisive shootout in sudden death after Hannah McLoughlin scored to secure Ireland two points, opening their FIH Hockey Pro League account in their debut season.