Green Army one win from a guaranteed Olympic qualifier place
Interim coach Gareth Grundie says last Sunday’s 8-1 mauling of the Czech Republic will have “no bearing” on his Ireland side’s outloook as they face a rematch in Saturday’s FIH Series’ semi-final at Banbridge.
The stakes are much higher this time around for the Green Army with victory assuring a direct Olympic qualifier next October.
The Czechs scraped into the final with a quarter-final shoot-out win over Scotland on Thursday evening after a low-quality 0-0 draw.

The Green Army sing Ireland’s Call prior to their game with Singapore. Pic: Billy Pollock
“We’ve done quite a bit of homework on them leading into the tournament so we know their strengths and won’t take anything for granted,” he said.
“The last game has no bearing on the outcome of this semi-final and we’ll make sure we are prepared as best we can be.”
Nonetheless, the World Cup silver medalists have been the stand-out side this week, scoring 21 and conceding just two in three games to date.
The win over the Czechs was their most complete performance against a side they have previously struggled against with Anna O’Flanagan gobbling up four chances.
SATURDAY 15th JUNE…1.15pm
An Olympic play-off place at stake for @IreWomenHockey
LIVE @BBCSPORTNI website from @banbridgehc
What do @Ayeeishaa and @GillianPinder1 think about the game against Czech Republic?@irishhockey @hookhockey pic.twitter.com/BUAkCVUbdz
— ƝƖƓЄԼ ƦƖƝƓԼƛƝƊ (@nigelringland) June 14, 2019
She was deployed in midfield in the Singapore game in the midweek 11-0 win while Shirley McCay was used in the forward line. They could well revert back to more regular positions given the elevated stakes.
The win on Saturday will earn a final shot on Sunday against either Korea or Malaysia and while that would mean the key target will already be in the bag, that tie could also prove important for a few additional world ranking points.
Currently, Ireland are in the shake-up for a home Olympic qualifier with the points on offer here and August’s European Championships going a long way to aid that cause.
Korea would be a direct rival in that regard so finishing above them could be crucial further down the line.
🔥@IreWomenHockey have been in goal-scoring form so far!
🏆@FIH_Hockey Series semi-final
🏑@irishhockey v Czech RepublicCan they make it to the final?
📲Watch live on the BBC Sport NI website at 13:15 BST
Preview
📽️https://t.co/8FoeKzCH3F#RoadToTokyo#ChangeTheGame pic.twitter.com/NPuX6R7flL— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) June 14, 2019