Ireland progress to semi-final with New Zealand

Ireland took a step towards a potential place in next year’s FIH Pro League by beating Korea 4-0 to qualify for a Nations Cup semi-final against New Zealand.

It was the final Pool A match for Ireland in Terrassa, Spain.

After their opening two games both sides had won one and lost one of their matches and were level on goal difference of minus one. Ireland were ahead on goals scored so a draw could been enough for Ireland to go through.

Ireland opened the scoring when Hannah Mc Loughlin converted a 27th minute penalty corner. Sarah Hawkshaw added a second from a penalty corner in the 30th minute to lead 2-0 at half-time.

Ireland’s captain Katie Mullan scored a goal from open play in the 54th minute to make it 3-0 and in the dying seconds Roisín Upton converted a penalty corner to finish the scoring.

Ireland are set to play the Blacksticks on Saturday evening at 6:30pm Irish time.

Mullan said: “I think the character and resilience of this amazing group of women is just phenomenal. We came out and fought hard today. We did everything we said we would do. But it’s how we show up every single day that is the reason we got the result today. On to the next.”

Ireland: Liz Murphy (GK), Sarah McAuley, Elena Neill, Roisin Upton, Ellen Curran, Katie McKee, Charlotte Beggs, Sarah Torrans, Michelle Carey, Katie Mullan (C); Niamh Carey.

Subs used: Sarah Hawkshaw, Hannah McLoughlin, Caoimhe Perdue, Naomi Carroll, Christina Hamill, Síofra O’Brien, Holly Micklem.