IRELAND 1 [2] - 1 [4] NEW ZEALAND
FIH Hockey Nations Cup Final
Ireland Women suffer heartbreak in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup final in Santiago Chile, losing to New Zealand on Penalty Shoot-Outs. New Zealand led early in the game, scoring after five minutes. Ireland drew level with just four minutes remaining, Katie Mullan firing into the back of the net to force the shootout. But New Zealand would ultimately prevail, winning 4-2 in the Shoot-Out.
A challenging opening quarter saw New Zealand press Ireland intensely, a tactic that would be fruitful for the Black Sticks as they opened the scoring after five minutes, a powerful reverse into the top corner.
Ireland gained a footing soon after, testing the New Zealand defensive unit but not quite managing to create clear cut opportunities. New Zealand remained dangerous, particularly on the counter-attack, with Ayeisha McFerran called into action to make superb saves.
Ayeisha was again called upon early in the third quarter, rushing out of her semi-circle to clear away from the onrushing New Zealand attacker. After that, Ireland took control, with Mikayla Power working the ball well to win two penalty corners, both of which New Zealand defended well.
A tense final quarter saw Ireland pile further pressure on as they attempted to draw level. Mikayala Power was again at the end of an early chance, picking the ball up close to the keeper and flicking at goal on the half-turn but a last-ditch tackle saw the ball go just wide.
With six minutes remaining, Ireland substituted Ayeisha McFerran in place of an extra attacker. The tactic worked in Ireland’s favour with Katie Mullan firing into the back of the net to draw Ireland level with 3 minutes remaining. A shoot-out would be required to separate the sides.
New Zealand stepped up first in the shoot-out, Anna Willocks firing in on her reverse. Niamh Carey stepped up for Ireland doing everything right to beat the keeper, but her effort on goal just trickled wide as she lost her balance. New Zealand’s Olivia Shannon grabbed their second, before Mikayla Power bravely stepped up to score; 2-1 in favour of NZL. Ayeisha McFerran did superbly to deny Holly Pearson, and Captain Sarah Hawkshaw calmly slotted home to draw Ireland level. Stephanie Dickins spun to make it 3-2 to New Zealand, before Michelle Carey was denied the equaliser by the outside of the post. With an opportunity to win it, Hannah Cotter stepped up and squeezed the ball under Ayeisha McFerran to crown New Zealand as FIH Hockey Nations Cup Champions.
Ireland’s Mikayla Power was awarded Junior Player of the Tournament, the young attacker scoring twice for Ireland on their way to the final and producing consistently excellent performances for Ireland.
Speaking after the match, Head Coach Gareth Grundie said:
“Unfortunately a little bit disappointing to lose in the shoot-out. I think we played quite well throughout the game and we had a lot more chances that we weren't able to convert. It came down to the lottery of 1v1s , we came off second. We'll learn from it and move on to the next one.”
Discussing the team's performance across the tournament, Grundie said:
“It was a really positive tournament. We'll take some time out, work towards the Europeans later this summer. I think we've seen really good improvements from this side in a lot if areas.”
Looking ahead to the rest of 2025, Grundie said:
“We have short-term and long-term ambitions. We have still a way to go in terms of the ultimate goal, but after taking a bit of time out we'll come back stronger. Focus on the things we need to do. We have the Europeans next and there's other targets in the next few months and a World Cup to qualify for.”
On the younger newer players in the squad, Grundie commented:
“Emily Kealy and Mikayla Power have both done very well for brand new caps. Mikayla won Young Player of The Tournament and got two senior goals as well in her first major tournament. She will learn from this experience and get stronger and stronger.”
Ireland Women will now regroup, and begin preparations for the 2025 EuroHockey Championships, with the tournament taking place from August 8-17 in Monchengladbach, Germany.
