Wednesday, December 10 – Dublin: The Ireland Women’s Hockey Team were narrowly beaten in their FIH Hockey Pro League debut at the Sport Ireland Campus by World #3 Belgium. Belgium broke the deadlock in the second quarter before doubling their lead in quarter three. Ireland battled back well, getting a much-deserved goal in the final minute thanks to a touch from Ellen Curran from a penalty corner to the delight of the sold-out Irish crowd on the sidelines.
Ireland battled well in the opening quarter to quell any attacking threat the Belgians attempted to throw at them. A penalty corner in the final minutes of the quarter gave Belgium an opportunity to break the deadlock, but Ireland’s Sarah Torrans ran down the effort bravely to deny them. Ambre Ballenghien came close with the final chase of the quarter as she was release through on goal, but Ireland goalkeeper Elizabeth Murphy did well to close her down and force her first-time shot wide.
Belgium eventually broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, Michelle Struijk finding Ambre Ballenghien who turned well and a found the back of the net.
Ballenghien got her second just after half time, diving to deflect a ball at the back post into the roof of the Irish net. But Ireland fought back well winning a penalty corner that Belgium defended well to deny Roisin Upton.
Mia Jennings came close to getting a goal on her debut but was denied from close range by the Belgium keeper. Sarah Torrans followed it up by beating two Belgian players on the baseline and pulling the ball back to Charlotte Beggs whose effort on goal was blocked.
Ireland’s determination eventually paid dividends. After defending a number of Belgian penalty corners, Ireland won one of their own in the dying embers of the game. After a number of re-awards, Ireland finally got their moment as Hannah McLoughlin slapped the ball towards goal for Ellen Curran to deflect into the net, much to the delight of the sold-out Irish crowd.
Ireland will play their second of four FIH Hockey Pro League fixtures in Dublin tomorrow, December 11, when they face England at 14:00 Irish Time.