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SPAR Indoor Hockey Series brings international indoor to Ireland

The 2022 indoor hockey season is set for a spectacular finale next week as Ireland take on South Africa in a five-match SPAR Indoor Hockey Series in Gormanston Park in Co Meath. 

The series in east Meath will showcase five high-octane fixtures with the two nations reprising their rivalry from 2019 when Ireland travelled to Durban and Cape Town for a SPAR-supported series.  

Those fixtures played a pivotal role in the ongoing regeneration of indoor hockey in Ireland and were their first on the international stage for nearly 30 years. It provided a perfect springboard for Ireland’s promotion to the second tier of EuroHockey Championship competition in 2020. 

In that context, this SPAR Indoor Series provides a yardstick to how much Ireland have improved and they will look to turn on the style in front of a healthy home crowd. 

 ** For tickets, click here ** 

Coach Rob Abbott is thrilled at this unique opportunity to face the world number 14 side who had originally been planning to contest the Indoor World Cup before Covid saw those plans cancelled. 

“A huge thank you to SPAR Ireland for sponsoring the series and allowing us to play against world class opposition,” Abbott said.  

“It will be great for fans to have the chance to watch international hockey in the south of Ireland for the first time since the 2019 Olympic qualifiers. We are looking forward to playing in front of passionate crowds who will create an atmosphere to spur the team on. 

“Our team will look to play attacking Indoor hockey and thrill the crowds with speed and skill. It will be great to see how far we have come as an indoor nation in such a short space of time.” 

Commenting. SPAR Sales Director Colin Donnelly said, “SPAR has a strong tradition of supporting sport in Ireland and we are thrilled to be in a position to sponsor this series of international matches between Ireland and South Africa and I want to wish all competing the very best of luck and I’m sure the spectators will be treated to some excellent matches.” 

Ireland’s Orla Patton in action against South Africa in 2019. Picture: Shaun Roy

Abbott’s side will include six of the panel that played in 2019 with, crucially, Chloe Brown set to line out. She missed out on January’s Euros but shone at the English championships with East Grinstead and she will be a vital figure in play and with her outstanding accuracy at penalty corners.  

The panel also features six players who were due to play in the Under-21 Euros in December before that tournament also fell victim to Covid-19.  

Railway Union – crowned Irish club champions last weekend – provide several players to the mix including captain Orla Fox, Holly Jenkinson, Patton sisters Orla and Sarah and Lily Lloyd. 

Teenagers Mikayla Power (Old Alex) and Katie Kimber (Ards) offer exciting talents for the here and now as well as the future. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Amy Benson and Sophie Barnwell have been near ever-presents on the boards since Ireland’s return to the international stage. 

Sally Campbell the one uncapped player in the line-up. She was initially part of Ireland’s squad to play in the Antrim games against Scotland but had to withdraw due to Covid.  

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SPAR Indoor Hockey Series (all at Gormanston Park) 

Monday, February 21st 2022: Ireland v South Africa, 7pm 

Tuesday, February 22nd 2022: Ireland v South Africa, 7pm 

Wednesday, February 23rd 2022: Ireland v South Africa, 6pm 

Thursday, February 24th 2022: Ireland v South Africa, 7pm 

Friday, February 25th 2022: Ireland v South Africa, 7pm 

 

Ireland women’s squad: 

Emma Buckley (GK, Railway Union/Pembroke) 

Millie Regan (GK, Old Georgian’s) 

Sarah Patton (Railway Union) 

Sophie Barnwell (Muckross) 

Katie Kimber (Ards) 

Holly Jenkinson (Railway Union) 

Hannah Kelly (Catholic Institute) 

Orla Macken (North Kildare/Pembroke) 

Laura Graham (CD Sadus) 

Mikayla Power (Old Alex) 

Chloe Brown (East Grinstead) 

Orla Fox (captain, Railway Union) 

Orla Patton (Railway Union) 

Rebecca McMullen (Muckross) 

Lily Lloyd (Railway Union) 

Amy Benson (Ards) 

Sally Campbell (Pembroke) 

 

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Latest Irish Under-16 girls training panel named

The following players have been invited for the next Irish Under-16 Girls National training camps. The Under-16 managers will be in touch with players regarding details of the sessions.

The squad has a number of series now confirmed for 2022 with a five nations tournament taking place in the Netherlands from April 14th to 19th, a series against Scotland in Edinburgh in early July and a further tournament in mid-July in Terrassa, Spain.

 

Aliya Davis Leinster
Amy Handcock Leinster South
Anna Campbell Munster
Annie Cunningham Ulster
Aoife O’Meara Leinster
Charlie Bowman Ulster
Chloe Patton Ulster
Emilie O’Brien Leinster
Emma Simmons Leinster South
Grainne Molloy Leinster South
Isobel Field Leinster
Katie Herron Ulster
Kia McCartney Ulster
Lucy McGoldrick Leinster
Maebh McLoughlin Connacht
Milla Fulton Leinster
Millie Jerman Leinster
Orla Young Hughes Leinster
Rachel Lennon Ulster
Rebekah Lennon Ulster
Roisin O’Brien Munster
Sarah Byrne Leinster
Scarlett Taylor Ulster
Sophie English Leinster
To be assessed
Grace McCool Ulster
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Junior Green Army find out new World Cup group

Ireland’s Under-21 women’s team will meet England, hosts South Africa and Ukraine in a reshuffled Junior World Cup group following a number of changes to the tournament line-up.

The Junior Green Army were originally due to play in the competition in Potchefstroom in December but it was put on hold due to the arrival of the Omicron variant but they can now put full focus on the tournament which runs from April 2nd to 13th in Potchefstroom’s North-West University.

“It’s great news that the Junior World Cup will go ahead after the late postponement in December,” said Irish head coach David Passmore of confirmation of the line-up and that the tournament will go ahead in a full 16-team format.

“The girls were devastated so we are indebted to the clubs for accommodating this through changes in EY Hockey League schedule along with Hockey Ireland and the FIH for striving to find solutions to the scheduling issues.

“While we have started to train with the same group of 20, each player knows the last selection was made on form and that they will need to maintain form to make the plane for South Africa.

“Given how hard the girls had worked in preparation for December and the uncertainty of whether Covid would allow for the event to proceed, they have had a six-week break but now we start to crank things up to perform at our best.”

In terms of form guides, the Junior Green Army impressed last summer with a series win over the Welsh senior team and against the Great Britain Development panel.

They also drew with England in December in a hastily arranged Four Nations tournament in Valencia, organised once the World Cup was put on hold. South Africa and Ukraine, though, will be new opposition at this level.

Ireland had originally been due to face the Netherlands, Zimbabwe and Korea in the opening group but a number of changes to the tournament line-up meant a reshuffle in opposition.

Since December, Belgium, Spain and Japan decided they could no longer participate with Ukraine, Malaysia and Wales the nations stepping in to take their place at the main event.

And coach Passmore says it makes for some new challenges compared to the ones originally envisaged.

“The trip to Spain in December highlighted some areas we need to develop and we will be working hard on some specific components with our play with some matches against the seniors, boys teams and a two-match series against England in March to assist with thanks to our main sponsors Uniphar, SoftCo and Park Developments.

“The pool we now face is obviously different from what we expected and provides different challenges in that we know little about South Africa or Ukraine but we know the home nation will present a stern test on home soil.

“Ukraine offer a different style of play to most European countries and can be hard to break down. Either way we will set our standards high and work hard in what is a great and exciting opportunity for those players who play.”

The fixture schedule will be confirmed in due course.

Elsewhere, the Irish senior women’s World Cup opponents will be confirmed on Thursday morning with the International Hockey Federation hosting the draw in Lausanne. It will be broadcast online via the FIH’s Watch-Hockey app.

FIH Women’s Junior World Cup, April 2-13, 2022 (all at NWU, Potchefstroom, South Africa)
Pool A: Canada, Netherlands, USA, Zimbabwe
Pool B: England, Ireland, South Africa, Ukraine
Pool C: Argentina, Korea, Russia, Uruguay
Pool D: Germany, India, Malaysia, Wales

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Latest Irish Under-18 boys squad named

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 England in April before hosting Scotland for three games in early July. In mid-July, they will play in an international tournament in Germany.

* DEV denotes for Development

* TBA denotes To Be Assessed

Player    Province  Club  School 
Ben Pasley    Leinster  Three Rock Rovers  The High School 
Callum McCourt    Munster  Bandon HC  Bandon Grammar  
Charlie Rowe    Ulster  Banbridge Hockey Club  Banbridge Academy 
Cian Dorgan    Munster  Cork C of I  Ashton  
Conor Matthews    Ulster  Annadale  Sullivan Upper 
Harry Dagg    Leinster  Avoca  Templecarrig 
James Clark    Ulster  Annadale  Methodist College Belfast 
James Evans    Ulster  Banbridge Hockey Club  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 Hockey Club  Friends’ School Lisburn  
Matthew McKee    Ulster  Banbridge Hockey Club  Banbridge Academy 
Matthew Stevenson     Ulster  Banbridge Hockey Club   Banbridge Academy  
Max Anderson     Ulster  Cookstown  Cookstown High School  
Patrick McElhinney     Ulster  Annadale HC  Methodist College Belfast 
Rex Dunlop     Leinster  Three Rock Rovers   The Kings Hospital  
Rhys Armah-Kwantreng    Leinster  Monkstown  St Andrew’s College 
Sam Hickmott    Leinster  Monkstown Hockey Club   St Andrew’s College 
Tiarnan Gaffney     Munster  Catholic Institute   Villiers School 
Tommy Dobson    Ulster  Banbridge Hockey Club Banbridge Academy  
Alex Lynch  DEV   Leinster  Three Rock Rovers  The High School 
Ben Pollock   DEV  Ulster  Banbridge Hockey Club  Banbridge Academy  
Mark Cuddy   DEV  Ulster  Cookstown Hockey Club  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 Hockey Club  Newtown School, Waterford 
Callum Ullah  GK – TBA  Ulster  Instonians   Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI)  
Conor Murphy  GK – TBA  Leinster  Avoca  Newpark Comprehensive 
Malachy Shute  GK – TBA  Munster  Waterford Hockey Club  Newtown School Waterford 
Robbie Duffy  GK – TBA  Leinster  Monkstown Hockey   Newpark Comprehensive 
Scott Hosick   GK – TBA  Ulster  Lisnagarvey hockey club  Friends’ School Lisburn  
Sam Chapman GK-TBA Leinster YMCA Hockey Club Wesley College
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Irish Under-16 boys panel named ahead of busy year

Twenty-seven players have been named in the first Irish Under-16 boys squad for 2022 ahead of a busy schedule.

Their schedule currently  features a five nations tournament in the Netherlands in April, a series against Scotland in early July and a further tournament in Germany in mid-July.

   NAME  SURNAME  PROVINCE 
1  Tom  Archbold  Ulster 
2  Harvey  Begg  Ulster 
3  Matthew  Carry  Munster 
4  Max  Caulwell  Leinster 
5  Ethan  Clotworthy  Ulster 
6  John  Cunningham  Ulster 
7  Sean  Curtin  Munster 
8  Jack  Fairmaner  Leinster 
9  Denver  Golbey  Ulster 
10  JJ  Holley  Ulster 
11  Scott  Kenny  Leinster 
12  Sam  Mahoney Doyle  Leinster 
13  Matthew  McAreavey  Ulster 
14  Adam  McKee  Ulster 
15  William  McMullan  Ulster 
16  Lukas  Moles  Ulster 
17  Zac  Moloney  Munster 
18  Peter  Montgomery  Leinster 
19  Oskar  Nielsen  Leinster 
20  Rob  Olden  Munster 
21  Josh  Osborne  Ulster 
22  George  Palmer  Ulster 
23  Hamish  Scott  Leinster 
24  Zach  Silverman  Leinster 
25  Harry  St Leger  Leinster 
26  Ben  Thompson  Ulster 
27  Liam  Walsh  Leinster 
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Players invited for February 13th Irish Under-16 girls assessment

The following players have been invited to the next Irish Under-16 girls assessment on February 13. The team manager will be in contact with players in due course with further details about the assessment.

1 Aliya Davis LEINSTER
2 Amy Handcock LEINSTER SOUTH
3 Anna Campbell MUNSTER
4 Annie Cunningham ULSTER
5 Aoife O’Meara LEINSTER
6 Charlie Bowman ULSTER
7 Chloe Patton ULSTER
8 Emilie O’Brien LEINSTER
9 Emma Simmons LEINSTER SOUTH
10 Grainne Molloy LEINSTER SOUTH
11 Isobel Field LEINSTER
12 Katie Herron ULSTER
13 Kia McCartney ULSTER
14 Lola Henderson ULSTER
15 Lucy McGoldrick LEINSTER
16 Maebh McLoughlin CONNAUGHT
17 Milla Fulton LEINSTER
18 Millie Jerman LEINSTER
19 Orla Young Hughes LEINSTER
20 Rachel Lennon ULSTER
21 Rebekah Lennon ULSTER
22 Roisin Heaney CONNAUGHT
23 Roisin O’Brien MUNSTER
24 Sarah Byrne LEINSTER
25 Scarlett Taylor ULSTER
26 Sophie English LEINSTER
27 Robin Caren MUNSTER
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Irish senior women’s squad seek assistant coach

Hockey Ireland is seeking to appoint a full-time Senior Women’s Team Assistant Coach, to help lead the team towards achieving its strategic objectives, namely to compete at the Olympics, World Championships and European Championships. 

About Hockey Ireland 

Hockey Ireland is the National Governing Body for the sport of field hockey in Ireland. Governing the 32 counties of Ireland, the Association is responsible for the management and overall development of all areas of the sport. 

Role Summary 

  • Reporting to the Senior Women’s Head Coach, the Senior Women’s Assistant Coach will be responsible for providing world-class coaching support to the Senior Women’s team 
  • This role also involves working collaboratively and innovatively with the wider Senior Women’s management team 
  • The Senior Women’s Assistant Coach will also be required at times to work alongside the National Development Head Coach to assist in the development of these players towards Senior representation 

Key responsibilities 

  • Identify, develop and manage the current group of identified players in the Senior Women’s training squad 
  • Assist with coaching of the Senior Women’s team using modern coaching techniques, tactics and trends 
  • Monitor and evaluate player performance for team selection using relevant data 
  • Deliver and support with the delivery of regional sessions – as designated by the Head Coach 
  • Assist with the development of a group of identified players in the National Development squad (U23 downwards) 
  • Communicate effectively with staff, players and relevant stakeholders 
  • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with the Hockey Ireland Junior Age Grade National Coaches as designated 

The required candidate 

The successful candidate will be an experienced, driven, detail-focused and disciplined self-starter who is committed to bringing team success to the Senior Women’s team and developing the best of Ireland’s elite hockey talent 

Experience and credentials: 

The experiences and credentials below are a guide and are not intended to be inclusive or exhaustive and may be amended over time due to the changing needs of the organisation: 

  • Proven record of success in domestic or international hockey 
  • Experience in planning, organising and implementing a comprehensive domestic or provincial coaching programme 
  • Ability to apply the principles of coaching, sport science, medicine and technology within a high performance programme 
  • Efficient and organised, with exceptional interpersonal, oral and written communication skills 
  • Level 3 and/or FIH coaching qualifications or equivalent (or working towards them) 
  • Proven methodologies in the development of elite talent and performance  
  • Understanding of sports science principles in modern day athlete development  
  • Exceptional people skills, with an emphasis on the management of player and coach personnel  
  • A competent knowledge of the latest coaching software systems 
  • Excellent organisational and communication skills  
  • A full driving licence 
  • Capacity to travel domestically and overseas for extended periods 

Term 

The contract role will commence in March 2022 and is through to the end of the Paris cycle of 2024 (with annual performance reviews throughout) 

Reporting to: 

The process of reporting will be as determined by the Performance Director and the Senior Women’s Head Coach 

Remuneration Package 

This is a full-time position and will be remunerated in line with the successful applicants’ skills and experiences.  Relevant expenses will be covered by the programme.  It is conditional that the successful applicant must be able to live and work in Ireland. 

 Vacancy Schedule: 

Closing date for applications:  20th February 2022 (5pm) 
Expected Interviews:  24th and 25th February 2022 
Expected appointment:  Early March 2022 

 Applications should be sent to Adam Grainger, Performance Director, Hockey Ireland  adam.grainger@hockey.ie 

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Dancer names fresh-faced panel for French training camp

The Irish women’s side will travel to France next week for a five-day camp, the first away trip of an exciting 2022 with a number of new faces getting a chance to impress.

The panel features 12 of the squad that qualified for this summer’s World Cup along with seven uncapped players who have been selected following recent high-octane sessions at the Sport Ireland campus in Abbotstown.

The new faces are: goalkeeper Holly Micklem (Old Alex), Eva Lavelle (UCD), Christina Hamill (Loreto), Siofra O’Brien (Loreto) and Katherine Egan (UCD). Charlotte Beggs (Ulster Elks) is another uncapped player who was part of the panel in Pisa while Caoimhe Perdue (UCC) lined out in uncapped matches for the senior panel in 2021 against Great Britain.

The side will travel to France on Monday and return on Friday, February 11th where they will take part in three uncapped games against France as part of the camp.

“This France series is the beginning of a new cycle with key events like the World Cup, the FIH Nations Cup and qualification for Paris 2024 all not that far away,” head coach Dancer said.

“I am excited to see how the wider squad of Irish athletes compete under the pressure of competition. We have included a good balance of experience and inexperienced players for our friendlies verse France.”

The 2022 National squad will be finalised towards the end of February with Niamh Carey and Ellen Curran unavailable for the time-being. The remaining players from the World Cup qualifiers continue to be available for selection for the year ahead.

Ireland will find out their World Cup group on February 17th following the completion this week of the qualification process in Pan-America, Africa and Asia while New Zealand and Australia were confirmed as Oceania’s representatives.

The World Cup will be split across Spain and the Netherlands and take place from July 1st to 17th. It will be followed by the European Championship qualifiers in Dublin from August 17th to 21st in a four-team competition also featuring Poland, the Czech Republic and Turkey.

And the year will be rounded out by the FIH Nations Cup in Valencia from December 10th to 17th in a high quality tournament which is listed as a potential qualifier for the FIH Pro League.

*The Irish senior women’s team is sponsored by SoftCo, Park Developments and Saba and supported by Sport Ireland and Sport NI.

Ireland women’s squad for French camp, February 6th-11th (club/caps)
Elizabeth Murphy (Loreto, 13)
Holly Micklem (Old Alex, 0)
Lena Tice (Old Alex, 122)
Hannah McLoughlin (UCD, 26)
Sarah McAuley (UCD, 9)
Erin Getty (Queen’s, 11)
Jane Kilpatrick (Belfast Harlequins, 1)
Caoimhe Perdue (UCC, 0)
Sarah Hawkshaw (Railway Union, 46)
Charlotte Beggs (Ulster Elks, 0)
Katie Mullan (Ballymoney, 206)
Eva Lavelle (UCD, 0)
Christina Hamill (Loreto, 0)
Sarah Torrans (Loreto, 33)
Zara Malseed (Ards, 7)
Siofra O’Brien (Loreto, 0)
Naomi Carroll (Catholic Institute, 121)
Katherine Egan (UCD, 0)

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Abbott “immensely proud” of Irish women’s efforts at Euro indoors

Irish women’s indoor coach Rob Abbott said he was “immensely proud” of his side’s efforts at the EuroHockey Indoor Championship II in Spain in their first appearance in a tournament of this level for 30 years.

Ultimately, they fell to five defeats out of five to end the competition in last place but, with a tournament restructure for 2024, Abbott says there will be plenty of take from this series when they compete at the same level in two years time.

“Immensely proud of how the girls played,” Abbott said after the tournament. “I certainly can’t fault the commitment, heart or morale. The camaraderie on and off the pitch has been great fun. Big learning curve; we have to improve in areas but overall I deem this a success. They represented Irish indoor hockey pretty well.”

After defeats to Poland and Belgium on Friday, Ireland started well on Saturday against world number seven side Switzerland, leading early on through Orla Patton and they went in level at half-time.

But a penalty stroke decision early in the second half proved a momentum shifter as Sofie Stomps put the Swiss in front and despite a Lily Lloyd goal, it ended with a 5-2 final outcome.

Against Scotland, Ireland were level twice in the first half with Orla Macken scoring her first international goals but Fiona Semple’s 18th minute effort proved the winner.

That made it 3-2 before half-time and despite an end-to-end second half, no further goals accrued.

The tournament concluded with Ireland facing the hosts Spain who needed a win to land the title and promotion to Europe’s top tier.

The coaching team of Ross Willis, Gareth Myburgh, Amy Phelan, Rob Abbott and Aaron Passmore

But they knew they were in a game early on as Ireland defended well before landing a couple of corners and created a couple of other chances. They were left to rue not taking one of those as the game turned in the 100 seconds before half-time with Spain going 1-0 up through the legendary Rocio Ybarra before Maider Altuna added another in quick succession.

It ended 4-0 to the delight of the noisy home support who celebrated their title but Abbott was pleased with how his side showed up against more resourced and experienced opponents.

“The atmosphere in the arena was superb. Loads of youngsters, bells, hooters going off. Being the last game of the tournament, every other player and staff was there and, being the underdog, they were all cheering us on which was great.

“The noise at the end was out of this world and I told the girls ‘half of that applause is for you’ because of how well we played. Spain knew they were in a game there.

“Disappointed not to get a result as I felt we deserved one or two, especially against the Swiss and Scotland. It might sound a little crazy for the Swiss game when we lost by three but it was the best we played with the ball, the most chances we created. The stroke was a big momentum swing.

“We are going back to this level in two years time. We need to be more flexible and adaptable when we have the ball, certainly more clinical and improve the way we look to score goals. Off the ball, we were quite comfortable at this level; we found a few styles of play that suited us and didn’t concede many field goals other than in the Belgium game.

“We need to improve some technical skills but we are a new indoor nation. There’s a bit of indoor naivety and experience in managing games.

“One thing we were superb at was, before today, we hadn’t conceded when we were down a player. Our structure and organisation in understanding the game off the ball has been pretty impressive for the time we had together.

“Experiencing it as a coach, it is demanding – I am absolutely shattered. My voice is nearly going with all the noise in the hall and that Spanish game was electric. You don’t sleep much because you are constantly working. I have had a blast; I’ve learnt a lot myself from the staff with me who were all superb and the girls have been a joy to work with.”

Ireland: E Buckley, S Patton, S Barnwell, O Fox, O Patton, O Macken, M Regan, H Jenkinson, M Power, H Kelly, L Lloyd, A Benson

EuroHockey Indoor Championships II

Friday results: Ireland 1 (H Kelly) Poland 4  (P Slawinska 2, A Katerla, S Tatarczuk); Ireland 1 (O Patton) Belgium 9 (J Peeters 3, M Ronquetti 2, C vander Gracht, M Vouche, D Gose, C Closset)

Saturday, January 22: Ireland v2 (O Fox, L Lloyd) Switzerland 5 (S Stomps 3, N Pohler, C Heselhaus); Ireland 2 (O Macken 2) Scotland 3 (E Dark, S Hinds, F Semple)

Sunday, January 23: Spain 4 ((R Ybarra, M Altuna, A Civera, L Bruguera) Ireland 0

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Women’s indoor side endure tough opening day in Spain

Women’s EuroHockey Indoor Championships – day one round-up

Ireland endured a tough opening day at the women’s EuroHockey Indoor Championships II in Ourense, falling to both Poland and Belgium in the six-team round-robin group.

The first tie, though, was a heartening one against the world number six Poles. Hannah Kelly’s penalty corner goal had Ireland 1-0 up at half-time and it was level until four minutes from time courtesy of disciplined, deep defence.

But Poland stayed patient and eventually converted a couple of late corners to run out 4-1 winners. 

Game two against Belgium was a rougher outcome with a Joanne Peeters’ hat trick underpinning a 9-1 result. Orla Patton’s direct flick had Ireland in the tie at 2-1 going into the second quarter but six second half goals saw the Belgians turn on the style.

“Obviously, it was a tough day but there was lots to learn,” Patton said of this Ireland side’s first taste of this level of competition. 

“We were really pleased with our first game this morning, particularly against such a class opposition, going one up. 

“Disappointed with the afternoon game but there are positives to take into tomorrow. Our penalty corners are working well and there is a lot of hockey left to play. 

“We’ll be looking for good games tomorrow against Switzerland (9am, Irish time) and Scotland (3.15pm) and definitely feel like we can get results from both. Looking forward to it!” 

Scotland and Switzerland drew 3-3 to sit just above Ireland in the table after two games each with Belgium and Spain on six points with two wins.

 

Ireland: E Buckley, S Patton, S Barnwell, O Fox, O Patton, O Macken, M Regan, H Jenkinson, M Power, H Kelly, L Lloyd, A Benson

EuroHockey Indoor Championships II

Friday results: Ireland 1 (H Kelly) Poland 4  (P Slawinska 2, A Katerla, S Tatarczuk); Ireland 1 (O Patton) Belgium 9 (J Peeters 3, M Ronquetti 2, C vander Gracht, M Vouche, D Gose, C Closset)

Saturday, January 22: Ireland v Switzerland, 10am; Ireland v Scotland, 4.15pm

Sunday, January 23: Spain v Ireland, 1pm

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