Ireland 3
USA 1
IRELAND CAUSED A huge upset in their Hockey World Cup opener in London earlier, stunning the United States as they beat them on a scoreline of 3-1.
Two first-quarter goals from Deridre Duke and Shirley McCay sent Graham Shaw’s side on their way before the US pulled one back throught Margaux Paolino.
Duke then sealed the win with four minutes left in the third quarter, meaning they now top Group B as England and India finished level in their opening clash.
The win comes as a huge achievement at a first World Cup in 16 years, made even more special by the fact that Ireland are ranked 16th in the world while the US sit in seventh.
Ireland keeper Ayeisha McFerran was pivotal between the posts for the Girls in Green, particularly as they withstood a late onslaught to hold on and seal a famous win.
“We went out there to enjoy it mainly but with the belief that we could get a result, we were quietly confident,” Anna O’Flanagan told FIH after.
“This is just the beginning for this Irish team.”
Shaw added, speaking to Hockey Ireland:
“USA are one of the best pressing teams in the world and they can put you on the back foot with their physicality.
“But I thought we were magnificent and I’m incredibly proud of the group. One of the most pleasing things was how we saw the game out and I thought we looked really composed, we stayed disciplined and structured, and we’re over the moon with that result.”
They face India next on Thursday, before going head-to-head with the hosts next Sunday.
IRELAND: N Evans, K Mullan (Captain), S McCay, G Pinder, R Upton, A McFerran, C Watkins, L Colvin, H Matthews, A O’Flanagan, Z Wilson
Subs: G O’Flanagan, Y O’Byrne, M Frazer, E Tice, N Daly, D Duke, A Meeke
- Updated 22.35
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Amazing woman. An inspiration to boys and girls alike.
@michaelor: A real role model.. :)
Some achievements- the best at education and sport.
@Mick O’ Connor: that what it’s all about, isn’t it mick. Who you are, what school you went to, how you did at that school, college & sport. I forgot, what you’re parents did & where they were from as well
@Noel James Doherty: why the cynicism? She deserves congratulations – she studied and trained very hard. Why so many cranky moany whingers on here just knocking everybody else because their lives didn’t just land in their lap.
@Noel James Doherty: There’s always one!
@Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin: one what sorcha? One who put up a post on the journal that you don’t agree with. Good luck to the girl, well done to her on all fronts in fact, I’m only saying this is hardly massive news, there’s people like this coming out of every county. Well done for sure to her.
@EChamp: look at my posts down through the years, check it out. Good luck to the girl, fair enough. Moany, Whitney, crankey? EChamp whatbsort of a name is that by the way, were you a champ of E’s?
@Noel James Doherty: Seeing your post just after posting mine on the same lines as yours Noel. 100% agree with you. It has always been who your parents are where you live and of course the Gaa.
@Noel James Doherty: Should every article on The Journal have a requirement to be massive news? It’s an interesting human interest story.
Dr Dara is a role model.unlile the Kardashians or Love Islanders
Huge congratulations Dora! You’re an inspiration to youngsters. Well done!
Wow
But can she pat her head and rub her belly at the same time…..??
She holds the national title for it
Dora huge congratulations – inspirational story – from a fellow Barna neighbour
An amazingly talented girl with stellar achievements but unfortunately this article is going to depress all the underachievers out there. And let’s face it, with the bar set this high, that’s most of us. But seriously, well done Dora in everything, the world is your oyster!
@Sean: I agree !! But you just have to admire such talent
Hymmmm…..all of a sudden I feel the need to get out of bed.
Go on The Galway Girl ……….
Amazing if you have anything to do in the Gaa the story’s the likes of the Journal can print What about the students who don’t have this powerful Gaa organisation at their side and do struggle to get where they want but make huge achievements. We don’t ever hear or read their story. All I am seeing on this Journal is how amazing this Gaa person is.
@Scottyal: Your rambling nonsense would make more sense were her achievements solely related to the GAA.
Why do so many people read articles like this and feel the need to start whataboutery? She’s an amazing person. That doesn’t mean other amazing people don’t exist. Different people show their traits in different ways.
@Scottyal: That is utter nonsense.
Some woman!
Just fantastic! Well done!