LAST UPDATE | 18 Jan 2024
IRELAND MISSED OUT on a chance to progress to the Olympics when they lost a penalty shootout to Spain 3-0 following a 0-0 draw at the semi-final stage of the women’s qualification tournament in Valencia.
Defeat does not mean Ireland cannot reach the Paris games. The top three teams qualify, with Ireland facing either Belgium or Great Britain in the third-fourth-place playoff.
The game’s opening quarter was very even, with Spain’s Blanca Perez having the first real chance after the restart, but her cross-cum shot whizzed across the face of the goal eluding everyone including her teammates. Ireland went on to dominate the second quarter in possession terms, having several circle entries: Katie Mullan forcing a couple of saves out of keeper Clara Perez. One effort by Sarah Hawkshaw in the 23rd minute ended up bouncing off one of the umpires but play continued uninterrupted.
The second half was scant on clear-cut chances, and with no extra-time, a scoreless draw went straight to penalties.
Spain’s Laia Vidosa missed the first effort in the shootout, but Roisin Upton failed to capitalise, and Lucia Jiminez duly put Spain 1-0 up. Sarah Hawkshaw saw her penalty saved, after which Julia Strapatto converted for Spain. Next to miss for Ireland was Hannah Mc Loughlin, and Spain sealed victory courtesy of Day Maria Lopez.
“We are really happy with how we played today. When a game goes to a shootout, it’s always a difficult way to lose a game”, said coach Sean Dancer.
“Belgium have to take on Great Britain to decide who plays in the final and who we will play against on Saturday. We just need to focus on ourselves as we prepare for Saturday.”
“We are proud of how we defended. But we also dominated possession today and in attack. We created a lot of chances today, we just need to start putting more of them away.”
IRELAND: Ayeisha McFerren, Róisín Upton, Niamh Carey, Sarah Hawkshaw, Katie Mullan (C), Hannah McLoughlin, Naomi Carroll, Ellen Curran, Charlotte Beggs, Katie McKee ,Beth Harper
SUBS USED: Sarah McAuley (4 mins), Michelle Carey (6 mins ), Sarah Torrans (7 mins ), Elena Neill (4 mins ), Chloe Watkins (5 mins ), Deirdre Duke (7 mins), Liz Murphy (GK)
SPAIN: CLara Perez (GK), Lucia Jiminez, Maria Lopez (C), Marta Segu, Constanza Amundson, Blanca Perez, Begona Garcia, Xantal Gine, Laia Vidosa, Alejandra Torres-Quevedo, Patricia Alvarez
SUBS USED: Laura Barrios (11 mins), Sara Barrios (4 mins), Belen Iglesias (4 mins), Lola Riera (7 mins), Beatriz Perez (5mins), Julia Strapatto (4 mins), Maria Tello (GK)
Great signing. Hopefully he’ll get a good runout
@Colm Cunningham: Presumably just injury cover for Kelleher and Sheehan
@TL55: I’d imagine so. Pretty decent cover. Massively talented player.
@TL55: even so. Both will likely be gone for international games plus injuries if they happen.
@whoowhat?: No URC games during International weekends this season hence reduction in overall no of games & so squad sizes.
If he can fulfill his potential, it’s a great signing to get him back in the Irish system. Could be a great signing.
Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t mc Elroy turn down offers here to sign for saracens a few years back in order to play for England ?
@Michael Uzice: Prodigal son time if he’s good enough. That said, he’s not really needed for Ireland now with the two top guys at Leinster being so good.
@Michael Uzice: Fairly sure he didn’t have any offers from Leinster as they already filled the hooker position, so that’s why he signed for Saracen’s. Sean Cronin is retired & I can’t imagine James Tracy will be sticking around for too long at 31 and never really reached huge heights. And now with McKee playing very well. It does make you wonder how the highly rated prospect of Lee Barron is going to get his place in the team with Dan Sheehan, Ronan Kelleher, John McKee, Tadhg McElroy & James Tracy all ahead of him. Incredibly strong in that area nonetheless.