Ireland's dreams of Olympic qualification have disappeared after a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Great Britain in the bronze medal match of the FIH qualifiers.
In 2015 Ireland suffered Olympic heartbreak in Valencia and in 2024 suffered heartbreak yet again. Great Britain went into this game having qualified for every Olympics except 2004. Ireland's women on the other hand had only ever qualified for the Olympics in Tokyo which were deferred until 2021due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
Ireland's most recent victory over Great Britain going into this match was an unofficial international warm up match ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in Belfast during 2020 when travel was restricted. In major tournaments, where the caps counted as did the ranking points, Great Britain always enjoyed the upper hand. This was the history as Ireland entered the bronze medal win or bust final this afternoon in Valencia.
Ireland started well but Great Britain were dangerous on the counterattack. Indeed, the first clear cut scoring opportunity fell to the 2016 Gold medallists. Katie Robertson almost opened the scoring for Great Britain. She lobbed McFerren but Charlotte Beggs cleared it off the line. Her second effort was hit away by McFerren's block in the 8th minute. Ireland dominated possession in the closing stages of the first quarter, Ireland 0 Great Britain 0. Great Britain took the lead in the 18th minute after a counterattack into the Irish D they were awarded a penalty corner. Sarah Jones deflected the ball past Ayeisha McFerren to make it Ireland 0 Great Britain 1.
Great Britain had the better of the possession for the rest of the half save for a breakaway by Katie Mullan whose cross deflected skywards was deemed dangerous and ended up with a free hit out of their own D for Great Britain, and the half time score was Ireland 0 Great Britain 1. The main feature of the third quarter from an Irish point of view was that Deirdre Duke left the field through injury.
Sarah Jones crossed a ball later in the quarter which Ayeisha McFerren had to kick clear. Ireland were awarded a penalty corner in the 41st minute. Ireland were only able to win a long corner from the penalty corner. Ireland had a reasonable amount of possession in the third quarter and were on the attack when the end of third quarter hooter sounded. Score remained Ireland 0Great Britain 1.
Katie Robertson got the first Great Britain goal of her career to put Great Britain 2-0 ahead in the 46th minute. Ireland withdrew goalkeeper McFerren in favour of an extra outfield player with 6 minutes to go.
Best chance fell to Sarah Torrans who shot wide. Ireland were awarded a penalty corner which Great Britain referred to the video umpire. The umpire upheld the decision, and they lost their video referral. Heesh saved from McLoughlin. Ireland were looking for another penalty corner which was referred to the video umpire by Ireland, the penalty corner was awarded and Heesh saved and also blocked the rebound from Niamh Carey.
In the final minute Ireland tried to get on the scoreboard. In the last seconds Ireland looked for a penalty corner and it was referred to the video umpire. Ireland were awarded the penalty corner. McLoughlin's first effort hit a foot and Ireland were awarded another penalty corner. Ireland scored through Hannah McLoughlin with the last hit of the game to make it Ireland 1 Great Britain 2, but the clock had run out and so had our Olympic hopes.
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, Michelle Carey, Sarah Torrans, Elena Neill, Chloe Watkins, Deirdre Duke, Liz Murphy (GK)
GREAT BRITAIN: Sabbie Heesh (GK), Lily Owsley, Anna Toman, Hannah French, Sarah Jones, Sarah Robertson, Isabelle Petter, Giselle Ansley, Hollie Pearne-Webb (C), Fiona Crackles, Sophie Hamilton
SUBS USED: Amy Costello, Elena Rayer, Tessa Howard, Katie Robertson, Laura Roper, Lily Walker
