, ,

Hockey Ireland opens application process for CEO

Hockey Ireland is a non-profit, membership-based organisation recognised by Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland as the National Governing Body for all Field and Indoor disciplines of the sport on the island of Ireland.

Hockey Ireland is affiliated to both the European and International Hockey Federations (EHF & FIH).

There is currently c. 42,000 registered members and c. 155-160 registered clubs throughout the country.

Hockey Ireland is now looking to appoint a CEO.

THE POSITION

The CEO will be expected to understand all stakeholders’ needs, particularly those of our extensive club network which supports our players, coaches, and officials. In order to ensure our continued development and growth you will have the ability to manage a complex portfolio of organisational responsibilities that include developing and delivering on the vision, mission, strategic direction, and goals of the organisation.

The CEO will have overall accountability, responsibility, and authority for the management of the business and affairs of Hockey Ireland in collaboration with the Board of Management and its Executive Committees. This will be done in accordance with the organisations adopted policies and procedures. Under their overall direction and oversight and in close co-operation with the Board of Management, the CEO will establish, implement, and oversee the short and long term goals, strategies, plans and policies of Hockey Ireland in a manner that develops, enhances, and promotes a healthy, diverse and vibrant organisation; a flourishing club system; a growing membership base that encompasses all Olympic, Paralympic and non-Olympic disciplines of the sport.

How to Apply
A full role description is available on request from our recruitment partner Ascension Executive Recruitment – mairead.fleming@ascension.ie

Interested candidates should send their curriculum vitae and letter of application to mairead.fleming@ascension.ie no later than 5pm on Friday 13th May 2022.

/by
, ,

Women’s EY Champions Trophy stage set as Loreto and UCD join final four

The line-up for the women’s EY Champions Trophy semi-finals was completed on Wednesday evening with Loreto and UCD both landing 1-0 wins in their respective quarter-finals.

They go through to face Pembroke and Catholic Institute in the semi-finals with the question now how well the sides have coped with their contrasting preparations.

For the two sides already assured of semi-final spots, they have been waiting to know their opponents for three weeks, the plus side being the extra rest and focus.

For Loreto and UCD, the quick turnaround and managing three games in five days is a big ask but there is also a potentially big residual benefit from the Junior World Cup.

Both sides had large contingents from that event and being part of a full-time athlete setup for the duration could well elevate those involved’s performance. Alternatively, the comedown from Potchefstroom could be sharp given the exertions that went into the event – which way the cookie crumbles remains to be seen.

For Loreto, Yasmin Pratt carried on her excellent form from the Junior World Cup to impudently nick the ball off the last Old Alex defender and score in the 16th minute.

It proved the only goal of their game at Beaufort and it continued their excellent run of form, going seven games in the regular season without defeat to move up from seventh spot into fourth.

Loreto’s Aoife Taaffe celebrates. Pic: Adrian Boehm

They advance to play EYHL regular season champions Pembroke, a fourth meeting between the clubs this term. Pembroke swept aside Loreto 3-0 in the second week of the season and then picked up a crucial come-from-behind win just after Christmas with Leah McGuire striking three times in those meetings.

That second win came just a week after the Beaufort side had won 6-1 in the Jacqui Potter Cup and, in the end, it proved vital as Pembroke had a tricky second half to the season, winning four of their eight league games.

Pembroke’s manifesto is mainly built around a strong defence, letting in just 14 goals all season with Emma Buckley enjoying a fine season with Hayley O’Donnell, McGuire, Amy-Kate Trevor and Isy Delamer a mean outfit.

Catholic Institute’s Roisin Upton and Naomi Carroll have combined for over 30 goals. Pic: Adrian Boehm

It has helped them run up seven single-goal victories over the campaign despite only being the league’s seventh highest scorers. Such is the spread of scorers, meanwhile, in a share of 15th, midfield maestro Gillian Pinder and Aisling Naughton are their highest on the goal charts but, with 16 different players on the mark, the danger can come from anywhere.

For Loreto, JWC stars Siofra O’Brien (8 goals), Aoife Taaffe, Christina Hamill (both 7) and Hannah Matthews account for the majority of their tally. The aforementioned Pratt and Sarah Torrans, countering Sinead Loughran, Emily Beatty and Naughton, means this is a contest absolutely rammed with speed merchants and could flow quickly from end to end.

“We feel like we are in a good place to be able to perform this weekend,” said Pembroke coach Gavin Groves. “We know we have a spot secured in Europe after the League success but the challenge of this playoff weekend is one that we are really excited about. It’s an early start against a really good team but it’s a contest that hopefully bring the best out of us.”

His Loreto counterpart Paul Fitzpatrick added: “There are four really good teams there this year and it should make for an exciting weekend. A tough game on Wednesday against Old Alex was good preparation for Saturday and if we can manage the challenges of the week and weekend, we have a chance.

“Most importantly the team have worked and dealt really well with the challenges this season brought and know looking forward to playing some good quality hockey.”

The second semi-final at 12.30pm features newcomers Catholic Institute who are in the playoffs following what was their first complete season in the women’s EYHL.

It follows an immaculate home run of eight wins in succession and just an opening day draw to disrupt their perfect record. The side that did break that chain was UCD, their Saturday semi-final opponents.

Insta’s prowess was not solely down to their sand-based home advantage as they did raid UCD for a 3-2 success in November with Róisín Upton scoring a hat trick. Along with fellow Olympian Naomi Carroll, the international duo have provided over 30 goals between them across league and cup and occupy the top two positions on the goalscoring list.

Neutralising their threat will be the big challenge for the likes of Sarah McAuley, KJ Marshall and Emma Paul at the heart of the students’ defence in front of fellow JWC player Ellie McLoughlin.

Hannah McLoughlin got the only goal for UCD in their midweek quarter-final win over Pegasus that has them in this position as they go in pursuit of the title they won back in 2017. Of that vintage, only Gillian Pinder and Leah McGuire will be in action this weekend in Pembroke colours.

UCD team talk. Pic: Adrian Boehm

Indeed, Loreto have nine of their 2018 winning side still in situ and are the only side to have players to win the title for their current club. Naomi Carroll, Sally Campbell, Sinead Loughran and Ellen Curran all won in 2016 with Hermes.

It makes for a fascinating and hugely competitive weekend with plenty of new winners picking up national glory for the first time, no matter which club prevails.

Sunday’s final will be live-streamed via the Hockey Ireland Youtube channel.

Women’s weekend fixtures
Saturday, April 23rd
EY Champions Trophy Semi-Finals: Pembroke v Loreto, Havelock Park, 10,30am; Catholic Institute v UCD, Havelock Park, 12.30pm

Sunday, April 24th
EY Champions Trophy Final: Havelock Park, 2.30pm

/by
, ,

Banbridge’s men hoping to shine at Havelock home in EY Champions Trophy

Banbridge are hoping a large local support can propel them to EY Champions Trophy glory for the first time as they welcome Three Rock Rovers, Lisnagarvey and Monkstown’s men’s teams along with Pembroke, Catholic Institute, Loreto and UCD for the grand finale of the club season.

For Bann, they will bring in the evening crowd for their 5pm against Three Rock in what promises to be a cracker with the two sides playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw in February with plenty of fire thrown at either end.

It is a repeat of the 2019 match-up with Rovers prevailing that day 4-2 but there has been a huge regeneration in both squads in terms of players.

And for Bann coach Scott McCandless, he cannot wait to see what happens: “After the recent disruption, this season has been highly enjoyable return and we look forward to competing in the EYHL Champions Trophy Weekend.”

His side started the campaign slowly, taking just five points from their first five games, but have since gone unbeaten since October.

“After an injury disrupted start to the league, we have gradually raised performances to a desired level. The squad this season is a spilt of youth and experience with the seasoned players providing excellent guidance & leadership to a talented bunch of youngsters that have excelled as the season has progressed.

“Eugene Magee has nonchalantly moved to centre back and alongside Captain Alex Tinney, Peter Brown, Sam Farson, Luke Witherow and Jonny McKee forms the heartbeat to the Bann performance. Owen Magee, Phillip Brown, Hugh McShane and Josh Moffett play key roles in the support act, whilst recent signing from Kilkeel David Finlay has started to regularly add EYHL goals and assists to go alongside his blistering pace.

“Charlie Rowe, Mark Cowan, Chris Curry, Louis Rowe and Matthew McKee have been the stand out youngsters to date with other Schoolboys Ben Pollock, Aaron Baxter and recent Portadown signing Tommy Dobson all having several notable EYHL performances.”

They are up against a Three Rock side who are going for a fourth successive EY Champions Trophy title having won the last three editions to be played in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Amazingly, just five of the 2019 vintage are in situ this time around – Jody Hosking, Ross Canning, Harry MacMahon, Shane O’Brien and Harry Morris (though he is an injury doubt).

Three Rock Rovers Ben Johnson. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Like Bann, youngsters now abound with Evan Jennings, Ben Ryder, Rex Dunlop and Ben Whelan coming through the ranks while experienced stars like Ali Haughton, Mick Maguire and Peter Blakeney have come back into the fold.

Rovers come into the tie off the back of an excellent league run of five successive wins as well as the Leinster Mills Cup title but the EHL Cup last weekend in Spain was a tough one. They beat Austrian side Post SV with something to spare but came unstuck against elite sides HC Rotterdam (6-0) and Hampstead & Westminster (7-1).

How they recover from those three games in four days will be their big test as coach Elun Hack reflection: “I think they did give a good account of themselves against Rotterdam, despite of the score. In phases we were good but, against good sides, you get punished for errors.”

“We played in Spain at a much higher intensity than we would on some weekends at home, so I’m hoping that we can bring that to next weekend. Of course, we are facing quality sides, so we will need to be at our best.”

The first of the men’s semi-finals pits Monkstown against EYHL regular season winners Lisnagarvey with the Dubliners the last team to beat the sky blues in the competition.

Since then, however, Garvey picked Town apart in the return fixture at Comber Road 5-1 and will hope that freshness of mind will serve them well as they bid to pick up a second EY Champions Trophy, winning the first edition in 2016.

It will be one of two meetings between the two clubs in the next eight days with the Irish Senior Cup following next week at Belfield.

Lisnagarvey celebrate during the Irish Senior Cup semi-final. Picture: Adrian Boehm

For captain James Corry, reckons his side has grown as the season has developed and have the options to make a difference.

“The depth in the squad; we have had a lot of players out with injury and Covid and have used about 22 boys. When people aren’t stepping up, others have stepped up to the task.

“We were missing James Lorimer and Andy Williamson for the Three Rock games, our two flickers, but Ollie Kidd and Andy Edgar stood up and got one each. The younger boys have that bit more experience and can deal with the pressure.”

Monkstown’s issue has been consistency of players available with a large number of injuries leading to some erratic scorelines. They have plenty of experience of the big stage with Geoff Cole, Jazze Henry, David Fitzgerald, Lee Cole, Stephen Cole, David Nolan, Davy Carson, and David Cole playing a role in their three in-a-row series between 2013 and 2015.

Carson and strike partners Jeremy Duncan and Mark Gibbons both hit form late in the campaign while academy graduates Theo Kohlmann, Josh O’Neill, Callum Hewat and Sam Hickmott are all vying to play a part on this stage for the first time.

“This is the weekend all teams want to be involved in at the start of the season so we are exactly where we want to be, in with a chance to win the play-offs and to earn a European spot,” said captain David Cole.

“The last time Monkstown played in the finals weekend was in 2017 so we’re delighted to be back playing at this level.

“The team is raring to go and have been training hard for the last two weeks since the game against Glenanne. We are expecting Saturday to be an incredibly tough battle against the league champions, Lisnagarvey. The games in the regular season between the two teams were very high paced and physically demanding and we anticipate Saturday to be no different.

Monkstown’s Karl Lynch. Picture: Adrian Boehm

“Obviously, we had a poor result versus Garvey last month and we’re excited by the opportunity to play them again this weekend. Hopefully we can be successful in Saturday’s match and will have a final to look forward to on the Sunday.”

Saturday’s semi-final winners will meet in the final on Sunday at 4.45pm. There will also be a playoff between Avoca and Belfast Harlequins at 11.30am for the final place in men’s EYHL Division 2 next season.

Saturday 23rd April 2022
Men
EY Champions Trophy Semi-Finals: Lisnagarvey v Monkstown, Havelock Park, 3pm; Three Rock Rovers v Banbridge, Havelock Park, 5pm

Irish Hockey Challenge – Semi-Finals: Midleton v Portrush, National Sports Campus, 1.30pm; Waterford v Saintfield, National Sports Campus, 3.15pm

Sunday 24th April 2022
Men
EY Champions Trophy Final: Havelock Park, 4.45pm
EYHL Division 2 playoff: Avoca v Belfast Harlequins, Havelock Park, 11.30am

/by
,

Comer Brothers hooked on backing Hockey in the West of Ireland.  

Hockey in the west of Ireland is set for a huge boost with the Comer Group proposing to build a centre of excellence for the sport at the Mountain South venue which is located just outside of Athenry.

The development is set to provide hockey in the region with a massive boost to an area crying out for improved facilities to cope with a growing level of interest in the sport.

Recently, new clubs have formed in Athenry, Loughrea, Ballinasloe and Tuam despite the lack of full-sized, hockey-specific playing facilities in the region while clubs in Galway city are required to have waiting lists due to over-subscription of players relative to facilities available.

 Mountain South is a 103-acre plot of land which the Comer Group acquired in 2018 and has been earmarked to also welcome a centre of excellence for Galway United Football Club with a number of soccer pitches and a gymnasium proposed in the plans submitted recently.

As part of the project, the Comer brothers have extended a helping hand to grow the game of hockey in Connacht and a masterplan outlining two hockey pitches has been submitted as part of a planning application to Galway County Council.

Mr. Richard Fahey, interim CEO of Hockey Ireland, said: “This proposal is massive for hockey in the region where we are experiencing huge growth and interest with hundreds of new players taking up the sport recently. 

“Having a high-class facility for players will open up hockey to them to pursue their new passion and can only accelerate and consolidate the growth of the game. Following the sports capital support for the Miller’s Lane project in Galway city, this is potentially another great development and testament to the work being done by Connacht Hockey’s officers.”

Mr. Kevin Keane, Chair and President of Connacht Hockey, added:  “The facility will bring opportunity to all in our community, young and old, as a centre of excellence for the development of our sport in the Western Region. We are delighted to be able to share a facility like this with Galway United and look forward to a prosperous future together.”

Ms Aisling Keogh, Connacht Hockey said: “We are very grateful to Luke Comer for meeting with representatives of Connacht Hockey. Mr Comer listened to our story and recognised the need for hockey facilities in the West of the country and specifically wanted to give his support to activities that cater for women. He invited us into this project with nothing but positivity and we look forward to working together in the future.

“We are so grateful, as a community, to the Comer Group, Brian and Luke Comer for inviting us into this exciting development. What the Comer Group have done for hockey in the West by helping us with facilities is just an amazing story.”

Luke Comer stated he was delighted to hear the story of Connacht Hockey and their struggle for facilities in the West. 

“As a keen sports person, It is so important to support young people in sport and particularly women in sport. Following our meeting with Aisling and Kevin, the Comer Group were very happy that Connacht Hockey were to be included in the development at the Mountain South, Comer Group, Centre of Excellence, Athenry, Co Galway.”

 

/by
,

Ireland Under-16 girls squad for 4 Nations in Zwolle

The Irish Under-16 girl’s team are travelling to Zwolle, the Netherlands, for a Four Nations tournament, taking on England, Belgium and the host country from 15th to 17th April.

“We are looking forward to travelling to Lilleshall to test ourselves against Nederlands, Belgium and England. This will be an important phase in this group’s development as we build towards our tournament in Spain in July.”

 

 

NAME SCHOOL CLUB PROVINCE
Aliya Davis Holy Child Killiney Muckross LEINSTER
Amy Handcock Kilkenny College Naas LEINSTER STH
Anna Campbell Crescent College Comp Crescent MUNSTER
Annie Cunningham Royal School Armagh Lurgan Ladies ULSTER
Aoife O’Meara Muckross Park College Pembroke LEINSTER
Charlie Bowman  (GK) Wallace Lisnagarvey ULSTER
Chloe Spencer Markethill High School Armagh ULSTER
Emilie O’Brien St Andrew’s Collerge Monkstown LEINSTER
Grainne Molloy (GK) Gaelcholáiste Na Mara Wicklow LEINSTER STH
Isobel Field Loreto Foxrock Avoca LEINSTER
Katie Heron Killicomaine JHS Portadown ULSTER
Kia McCartney Coleraine Grammar Coleraine ULSTER
Maebh McLoughlin Sligo Grammar Pembroke CONNACHT
Milla Fulton Wesley College Pembroke LEINSTER
Millie Jerman Hioly Child Killiney Monkstown LEINSTER
Orla Young Hughes Rathdown School Monkstown LEINSTER
Rachel Lennon Portadown College Portadown ULSTER
Rebekah Lennon Kilcomaine Jnr High Portadown ULSTER
Sarah Byrne Loreto Foxrock Avoca LEINSTER
Scarlet Taylor Royal School Armagh Armagh ULSTER
Sophie English Mount Anville Pembroke LEINSTER
/by
,

Ireland Under-16 boys squad for 4 Nations in Zwolle

The Irish Under-16 boy’s team are travelling to Zwolle, the Netherlands, for a Four Nations tournament, taking on England, Belgium and the host country from 15th to 17th April.

We’re very grateful to have the opportunity to play against some of the top European  nations this weekend. The players have been working hard together as a group since October, and this will be their first experience of competitive international hockey, so its a great opportunity to benchmark our progress. I’d like to say a huge thanks to all of our sponsors for supporting Irish hockey and helping the squad on its journey.

NAME SQUAD NUMBER
Jack Fairmaner 4
Harvey Begg 3
Ben Thompson 12
Robert Olden 5
Harry St Leger (Co captain) 6
William McMullan 18
George Palmer (Co captain) 7
Scott Kenny 13
Max Caulwell 8
ZachSilverman 14
Peter Montgomery 20
Zac JMoloney 16
Lukas Moles 19
Adam McKee 9
Matthew  McAreavey 17
Hamish JScott 21
Tom Archbold 11
Matthew Carry 10
Samuel  Mahoney Doyle 2
Benjamin Law 15
Matthew McLearnon 1
/by
,

Ireland Under-18 girls squad for 5 Nations in Lilleshall

Irish Under-18 girls are travelling to Lilleshall from 15th to 18th April where they will compete against The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and England in a five-nation tournament.

“We are looking forward to travelling to Lilleshall to test ourselves against Nederlands, Belgium and England. This will be an important phase in this group’s development as we build towards our tournament in Spain in July.”

  NAME PROVINCE
1 ROBYN MURPHY MUNSTER
2 MARTHA DUIGNAN LEINSTER
3 ANNA PIM ULSTER
4 KATE RYAN MUNSTER
5 ELLA PASLEY LEINSTER
6 AOIBHEANN COLLINS MUNSTER
7 REBECCA CARTHY LEINSTER
8 ROISIN SEXTON LEINSTER
9 KATIE MOORE MUNSTER
10 ENYA DARBY ULSTER
11 AVA MALEADY LEINSTER
12 EVA GASTON ULSTER
13 OLIVIA BEATTIE ULSTER
14 JODIE SIMMONS ULSTER
15 ELLA BROWN ULSTER
16 SARAH KIRGAN ULSTER
17 GABRIELLA SCOTT ULSTER
18 GEORGINA FOTTRELL LEINSTER
19 KAIA MOORE ULSTER
20 EMMA UPRICHARD ULSTER
21 DARCY MCGALL ULSTER

 

/by
,

Ireland Under-18 boys squad for 5 Nations in Lilleshall

Irish Under-18 boys head coach Simon Lowry has named a panel of 22 to travel to Lilleshall from 15th to 18th April where they will compete against The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and England in a five-nation tournament.

“After a 2 year break from international hockey, it is great to able to give lots of players the opportunity to represent Ireland for the first time. The squad has worked hard in recent sessions despite an incredibly demanding calendar. We are excited to get back out on the pitch to assess where we are as a squad as we continue to build towards the 8 Nations tournament this summer.”

Fixture schedule (all at Lilleshall, England)
Friday, April 15th: Ireland v Netherlands, 1pm
Saturday, April 16th: Ireland v Belgium, 1pm
Monday, April 18th: Ireland v England, 2.15pm
Squad:
Player Club School Province
Allen Lyons Annadale HC Royal Belfast Academical Institution Ulster
Ben Pasley Three Rock Rovers HC The High School Leinster
Ben Pollock Banbridge HC Banbridge Academy Ulster
Charlie Rowe Banbridge HC Banbridge Academy Ulster
Cian Dorgan Cork C of I HC Ashton Munster
Conor Matthews Annadale HC Sullivan Upper Ulster
Conor Murphy Avoca HC Newpark Comprehensive Leinster
Harry Dagg Avoca HC Temple Carrig Leinster
James Clark Annadale HC Methodist College Belfast Ulster
James Evans Banbridge HC Banbridge Academy Ulster
Josh Gill Three Rock Rovers HC Wesley College Leinster
Mackenzie Connor Lisnagarvey HC Friends’ School Lisburn Ulster
Mark Cuddy Cookstown HC Cookstown High School Ulster
Matthew McKee Banbridge HC Banbridge Academy Ulster
Matthew Stevenson Banbridge HC Banbridge Academy Ulster
Patrick McElhinney Annadale HC Methodist College Belfast Ulster
Rhys Armah-Kwantreng Monkstown HC St Andrew’s College Leinster
Sam Dale Cork Harlequins HC Bandon Grammar Munster
Sam Hickmott Monkstown HC St Andrew’s College Leinster
Scott Hosick Lisnagarvey HC Friends’ School Lisburn Ulster
Tiarnan Gaffney Catholic Institute HC Villiers School Ulster
Tommy Dobson Banbridge HC Banbridge Academy

 

Management Team:
Head Coach – Simon Lowry
Assistant Coach – Adam Pritchard
Manager – Ruth McDonagh
Physio – Hugh Byrne
/by
, ,

Perdue’s last minute magic propels Ireland to win over Malaysia

Women’s Junior World Cup
9th-12th place playoff
Ireland 2 (R Kelly, C Perdue) Malaysia 1 (N Zulkifli)
Captain Caoimhe Perdue whipped home a brilliant penalty corner strike 46 seconds from time to ensure Ireland will finish in the top 10 at the women’s Junior World Cup in Potchefstroom.

She applied all the power for her second goal of the tournament as the Junior Green Army eventually broke through against a Malaysian opponent who made life very difficult in a bruising encounter.

Ireland had led early on when player of the match Yasmin Pratt raced clear to set up Rachel Kelly to slot a 14th minute goal.

But the Asian side rode their luck for long periods while their all-heart style led to numerous injuries and breaks in play which slowed the tempo of the contest. They got level in the fourth quarter via Nuramirah Zulkifli’s superb strike but Ireland kept piling forward and from a late trio of penalty corners, Perdue settled the contest.

Pratt summed up the jubilant post-match mood, saying: “We are just over the moon. In the last five minutes, the intensity upped another level and we were really fighting for that win and when the goal went in, none of us could have been happier! So proud of my team.”

It puts Ireland through to a match against Austria on Monday with the winner finishing ninth overall, a strong comeback after Ireland missed out on the quarter-finals in frustrating fashion.

“Obviously, we believed in ourselves to get here but we have never been to a World Cup before so we didn’t know what to expect. We have really done ourselves proud. We definitely have that Irish spirit, a lot of passion and when it comes down to the nail-biting, hard wins, we really call on that passion.”

Coach David Passmore, meanwhile, added: “We made hard work of it! We didn’t take our early chances. I thought we played quite well at the beginning of the second half and then just lost control, structure and made the wrong decisions.

“That happens and it is about riding that. Thankfully, after conceding that, we really showed the best of our game and were on the front foot, creating a lot of chances.”

Early on, other than a couple of Malaysian penalty corners, it was a tie Passmore’s side started in strong form with Christina Hamill’s 3D skills and ghosting runs causing havoc.

Sarah McAuley’s strike was awkwardly saved by Mashitah Ab before Kelly potted her second of the tournament in the 14th minute.

It was ably setup by Pratt’s searing pace – both players having learned their hockey at schools in Kilkenny, the asssiter at College, the scorer at Loreto – after Mikayla Power had poked the ball back into Irish possession.

With a little more composure it might have been two on a number of occasions in the second quarter while Ab almost contrived to let in a Power cross, sprawling to recover from her own error to brilliantly scoop the ball off the goal line.

Pratt deflected Katie-Jane Marshall’s slap into the circle onto the post as the Malaysian goal lived a charmed life while their low-down approach saw three Malaysian players ship knocks and depart injured in the third quarter alone.

It made for a stodgy phase with little momentum and Malaysia get their foothold in the tie. During this phase, a loose bouncing ball found Zulkifli in the circle unattended and she took her time before firing high into the net.

The Irish reaction was strong, making all the running for the last 13 minutes. Aoife Taaffe could not get enough on Kelly’s clever cross while Sophia Cole’s innovative reverse-stick shot was blocked.

But three more penalty corners came in the last 75 seconds, the third of which Perdue slammed in from the top of the D for a gleefully celebrated win.

Ireland complete their campaign on Monday (2.45pm, Irish time) against Austria with ninth place on offer for the winner.

Ireland: E McLoughlin, E Paul, S O’Brien, R Kelly, C Perdue, A Elliott, Y Pratt, C Hamill, L Mulcahy, S McAuley, K-J Marshall
Subs: S Cole, E Reid, A Taaffe, M Power, C Sherin, A Horan, H Micklem

Malaysia: M Ab, A Dayang, S Mohd, N Azhar, K Nurul, S Husain, N Azman, N Zulkifli, N Syafi, K Gurdip, I Hussin
Subs: I Effarizal, N Mohamad, N Isahhidun, N Mohd, K Mohd, N Yussaini, S Nasir

/by
, ,

Junior Green Army hit their stride to beat Canada

FIH Women’s Junior World Cup
9th-16th place classification match
Ireland 6 (R Kelly, C Hamill, S O’Brien, C Perdue, E Paul, Y Pratt) Canada 1 (J Berger)
Ireland took out their group stage frustrations on Canada at the Junior World Cup in Potchefstroom, running up a healthy win to begin their classification series on the front foot.

The quarter-finals proved elusive earlier this week after single-goal defeats to England and hosts South Africa, leaving David Passmore’s side to focus on trying to land a ninth place finish via this knock-out classification series.

Ultimately, they were far too strong for Canada, running up 11 penalty corners, 21 shots on goal and 40 circle penetrations. Five first half goals laid the base with Rachel Kelly, Christina Hamill, Siofra O’Brien, Caoimhe Perdue and Emma Paul scoring before Yasmin Pratt made it 6-0 as Canada scrambled a late consolation.

“The whole game was so enjoyable,” said co-captain and player of the match Perdue. “We came out and played as a team and having a different goalscorer each time shows we link so well together. We need to keep this level of performance.”

Coach Passmore added: “I thought they were excellent from the start, putting pressure on them and going on the front foot. We were a lot calmer and more composed with the ball around the circle and goal shots which we hadn’t done in the first two games.

“We you go five-up relatively early, you can’t necessarily continue like that the whole game, especially when it is a tournament. You need to rest legs and rotate – what I am really pleased with is we have the squad of 20 and have rotated each game and there’s a really nice team feel to the group.”

The level of mismatch was on display from the outset with Kelly thumping in a first minute goal with a classy backhand strike, set up by O’Brien’s gliding run along the 23-metre line..

Christina Hamill, Nadia Benallal and O’Brien had great chances soon after before Hamill’s coolness saw her flick in the second in the 11th minute. O’Brien got her goal moments later from a penalty corner second phase, building a 3-0 lead in the first quarter.

Perdue and Paul added to the advantage from set pieces as they ran up nine first half penalty corners, going into the break at 5-0.

Pratt’s wonderful strike off the baseline following a powerful and pin-point long pass from Benallal, making it a half dozen in Q3.

In energy-sapping heat, the pace died off in the closing quarter and Canada – against the run of play – got one back from something of a scramble, Jenna Berger’s push making it over the line despite the best efforts of Caitlin Sherin.

Ireland will now play either Malaysia in the ninth to 12th place playoff game on Saturday (2.45pm, Irish time). The winner of that ties will meet either Austria or Zimbabwe in the last game of the classification series.

Ireland: E McLoughlin, E Paul, S Cole, S O’Brien, R Kelly, M Power, C Perdue, A Elliott, C Hamill, S McAuley, K-J Marshall
Subs: N Benallal, S Murdoch, A Horan, Y Pratt, C Sherin, L Mulcahy, H Micklem

Canada: I Sekhon, S Sajko, J Goodman, I Fraser, R Carvalho, A Kuzyk, S McCrory, M Scholz, D Husar, J Berger, N Goddard-Despot
Subs: L McKinney, B Anderson, M Kennedy, H Malhi, M Stelling, A Goddard-Despot, T Guy

/by