Thursday 11 February – Hobart, Australia: The Irish women’s hockey team put in an exceptional performance to secure a point against hosts Australia in the FIH Hockey Pro League in Hobart Tasmania. Ireland were the dominant side throughout the tie, with intense pressing and a relentless work rate forcing Australia into awkward positions and giving Ireland chances on goal, but the team had to settle for the draw as they added crucial extra points to their tally.
A physical start for both sides saw Ireland and Australia magnify each other from the start. Ireland produced the best chance of the opening stages, working the ball well down the left with some excellent connections from close range, giving Niamh Carey the chance to play an inviting ball across goal, which just eluded Sarah Torrans at the back post.
Ireland continued to look lively going forward, with Michelle Carey and Mikayla Power both adding an attacking spark, but the Australian backline remained determined to deny the IRL Women clear attempts on target.
Ireland continued to battle into the second quarter and used their press well to force Australia into wide positions. A number of well-worked passages of play gave Ireland routes into the Australian circle, the best of which ended in Mikayla Power playing the ball across the circle, once again evading the Irish attackers by the narrowest of margins.
Jessica McMaster won Ireland’s first penalty corner of the match, with Hannah McLoughlin hitting towards the back post looking for a deflection, but the throw went wide of the post.
The teams went into halftime with a 0-0 score.
Ireland remained lively in the second half, looking more dangerous and deliberate from both sides. A rare attacking opportunity for Australia saw Elizabeth Murphy spring into action and make a smart double save.
Ireland almost had their opener when a long ball found captain Sarah Hawkshaw free on the edge of the circle. Her shot on target found Jessica McMaster, whose deflection took the ball away from Hockeyroos goalkeeper Aleisha Power, just wide of the near post.
A minute into the final quarter, Australia forced Ireland into a rare mistake to win a penalty corner, but Sarah Torrans was on hand to do what she does best and push back the effort.
Ireland responded and regained control of the tie, again using those close quarter passes to work the ball into the attacking quarter, ending with a penalty corner won by Sarah Hawkshaw. McLoughlan was again the preferred option, with her goal attempt saved by substitute keeper Zoe Newman. Newman denied Ireland again immediately afterwards when Mikayla Power’s effort deflected for Sarah Hawkshaw to volley home, which Newman blocked.
A late yellow card for Ellen Curran forced Ireland to play out the final minutes one player down, a deficit that almost ended in a goal for Australia, but Ireland got a free goal in front of a foot and breathed a sigh of relief.
In the final seconds Australia had a final break, allowing Elizabeth Murphy to force another brilliant stop into the Irish net to secure Ireland a point and force a shoot-out.
Australia came out on top in the shootout, but not without another exceptional fight from Ireland. After trailing 3-0, Hannah McLoughlin kept her cool to make it 3-1 before Holly Micklem saved and Jessica McMaster scored to make it 3-2. With their final shootout, Australia converted to take the bonus point.
Ireland play their penultimate FIH Hockey Pro League appearance in Hobart tomorrow, February 13, when they face Argentina for the second time at 8.30am Irish time. Watch the match live on Watch.Hockey.
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