International Qualifiers
Half-century milestone was not on the radar – O’Flanagan
January 23, 2017 | 748 views | Leave a commentIn addition to sweeping to World League Round 2 glory in Kuala Lumpur, Irish players scooped all of the individual awards with Anna O’Flanagan landing both the top scorer and player of the tournament prizes
Outstanding Ireland add gold to WL3 ticket
January 22, 2017 | 884 views | Leave a commentGraham Shaw described Ireland’s 3-0 win over Malaysia as “outstanding” as they beat the hosts 3-0, adding that the tournament will act as a benchmark for exciting times ahead.
Mission accomplished as two goals in two minute blitz powers Irish women to fine win
January 21, 2017 | 495 views | Leave a commentMission complete in Kuala Lumpur as Ireland’s women defeated Wales 2-0 to guarantee at least a top two finish at World League Round 2 with Yvonne O’Byrne and Anna O’Flanagan striking quick succession to underpin the win.
Ireland’s women a win away from World League Round 3
January 20, 2017 | 509 views | Leave a commentIreland are a win away from progression to World League Round 3 and a massive step closer to potential World Cup 2018 qualification.
O’Flanagan reaches half century in rout of Singapore
January 19, 2017 | 403 views | Leave a commentAnna O’Flanagan passed the 50-goal mark for Ireland as she continued her incredible scoring feats in Kuala Lumpur, helping the green army to a comprehensive win over Singapore.
Nine second half goals belatedly breaks down Hong Kong’s all-out defence
January 17, 2017 | 452 views | Leave a commentGraham Shaw says his Irish women’s side will work on their “conversion rate” despite a 10-0 win over Hong Kong that saw them top their initial World League Round 2 group in Kuala Lumpur.
Ireland survive physical contest to beat WL2 hosts
January 16, 2017 | 774 views | Leave a commentIreland’s women survived a major scare from hosts Malaysia to record their second win of World League Round2 in Kuala Lumpur as goals from Chloe Watkins and Anna O’Flanagan earned a 2-1 win.
Ireland’s dozen far too good for Kazakhstan
January 14, 2017 | 691 views | Leave a commentIrish coach Graham Shaw knows bigger challenges await after his green army trampled over Kazakhstan with a clean dozen as Anna O’Flanagan and Nikki Evans racked up the goals.
Olympic qualification takes two Pan-Am twists
July 24, 2015 | 2,463 views | Comments (1)The Irish men’s Olympic hopes took a couple of twists during the week with the news that Brazil and Canada have confirmed their place at Rio 2016 via the Pan-American Games.
The Road To Rio: how Ireland stand right now
June 19, 2015 | 1,656 views | Leave a commentIreland’s defeat to China has denied them one of three direct tickets to the Olympic Games. There is still an outside chance of Darren Smith’s side qualifying but it requires a series of permutations to work in their favour, allied to a couple of wins over the weekend.
O’Byrne comes in for Carroll in WL3 panel
May 29, 2015 | 841 views | Leave a commentYvonne O’Byrne’s inclusion at the expense of Naomi Carroll is the one change in Ireland women’s panel for Darren Smith’s World League 3 panel as they bid to become the first team to qualify for the Olympic Games.
Road to Rio mapped out for Irish teams
March 27, 2015 | 1,182 views | Leave a commentThe Road to Rio was outlined this week for both the Irish men and women with the confirmation of their respective schedules at the World League semi-finals this summer.
Connery and McFerran shoot Ireland to World League Round 2 trophy
March 22, 2015 | 1,042 views | Leave a commentAine Connery’s nerveless penalty saw Ireland land the UDG Healthcare World League Round 2 title at Belfield, completing a perfect week with a final victory over Canada.
Ireland in seventh heaven as picture perfect performance sees Smith’s side through to WL3
March 21, 2015 | 837 views | Leave a commentIreland’s women put in a breathtaking first half performance to seal progression to the final phase of the Olympic qualifying process as they beat Belarus 7-0 at the UDG Healthcare World League Round 2 in Belfield.
Ireland bound for Belgium after SA fall to Egypt
March 20, 2015 | 682 views | Leave a commentWhile the Irish women push forward their Olympic agenda at Belfield this week, Craig Fulton’s men’s team have been given another nudge forward from an unexpected source.
Evans and Frazer find route past Lithuania’s parked bus
March 19, 2015 | 505 views | Leave a commentScarcely entertaining but Ireland got the job done and took another assured performance step forward in the Olympic qualification process with a 2-0 quarter-final win over Lithuania in Belfield in the UDG Healthcare World League Round Two.
Unlucky 13 for inexperienced Turkey as Ireland show ruthless streak to top Pool A
March 17, 2015 | 664 views | Leave a commentIreland proved far too strong for Turkey to complete their UDG Healthcare World League Round 2 with a huge 13-0 win, with Naomi Carroll netting four times at Belfield.
Dillon delight as Ireland make it two wins from two
March 15, 2015 | 936 views | Leave a commentSet piece goals from Aine Connery and Kate Dillon saw Ireland make it two wins from two at the UDG Healthcare World League Round 2 in Belfield, seeing off Canada 2-1; there were also wins for Ukraine, Chile and Austria
Five-star Ireland cruise past sluggish Ukraine
March 14, 2015 | 479 views | Leave a commentIreland cruised to a powerful opening victory in Pool A of the UDG Healthcare Hockey World League Round 2, beating Ukraine 5-0 at Belfield; Canada made a confident first step forward as they saw off the world number 38 side Turkey; Belarus and Chile also win on day one
Ireland add gold to Olympic progression as O’Donoghue shoots down Austria
March 9, 2015 | 1,201 views | Comments (1)Player of the tournament Shane O’Donoghue was once again the goal-scoring hero as his 35th minute goal saw Ireland beat Austria 2-1 in San Diego, capping a superb week with a sixth successive victory.