Ireland confident ahead of must-win duel with France
Murphy, the 25-year-old Loreto stopper, was the standout player against the Dutch after a procession of fine saves from constant Oranje circle penetration. After four successive defeats since the 2018 World Cup final, this was the closest an Irish team has got to threatening a result against the Dutch.
Murphy said: 'We were such a unit and it just felt we were so connected on the pitch. Everybody knew what they had to do and we knew going up against the world No 1 was going to be some defensive battle.'
Ireland now face world No 19 France, a team eight places below them in the rankings. The French headed into the Euros having won 12 of their previous matches since the Paris Olympics, but lost their opening game against hosts Germany 4-1.
Having leaked only two goals against the Dutch, a healthy win against France could now prove pivotal in Ireland's final pool game against Germany on Wednesday.
'We go in now in a strong position against France which is just class,' said Murphy.
'In the Europeans, we've been on the wrong end of goal difference a few too many times and anything can happen at a European A division.'
Ireland head into the French encounter having won all seven previous matches since 2012, with a combined 47 goals.
Ireland captain Sarah Hawkshaw said: 'We want to get more out of opportunities on the ball, be more patient, build in attack and grow into the game a little bit more.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
5 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Cristiano proposes to Georgina... with ring the size of a golf ball
Cristiano Ronaldo is officially set to tie the knot after proposing to his other half, Georgina Rodriguez, with a monstrosity of a ring. The couple have been dating since 2016 when they met at a Gucci store where Georgina worked as a sales assistant. The pair are raising six children together. In 2022, the pair tragically lost their baby boy as they were expecting twins with them saying at the time that 'only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness'. Ronaldo was reportedly looking at schools for his children in England. Pic: Instagram/georginagio Taking to social media on Monday, Georgina announced that her husband, arguably the most famous footballer in the world, had popped the question. Dropping a photo of a ring that is quite literally the size of a rock, Georgina wrote: 'Yes I do. In this and in all my lives.' Georgina and Cristiano have been dating since last year. Pic: Instagram/georginagio Georgina began her career as a professional dancer and model, and now also works as a social media influencer boasting almost 70 million Instagram followers. Cristiano recently signed a new contract with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and is seemingly set to continue playing beyond the World Cup next year.
Irish Independent
6 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Irish dreams of a semi-final in tatters as French players are left in tears after first EuroHockey win in 22 years
French players were left in tears after their first EuroHockey win in 22 years as Ireland wasted 13 penalty corner chances, twice hit the post and lost their seven-game unbeaten record to Les Bleus. Mathilde Duffrene's second-half penalty corner proved the difference, while goalkeeper Lucie Ehrmann produced a superb display to thwart Ireland's below-par attackers. As it stands, defeat left hopes of progression resting on their final pool game against hosts Germany and a healthy goal difference win. It's an outside chance at best. 'We are gutted,' said Katie Mullan. 'We had a lot of opportunities, the French goalkeeper was phenomenal, but we should take a hard look at ourselves in attack as we expect more from ourselves and we are able to produce more quality in the final third.' An unmarked Mullan hit the post and then blazed over in the first quarter to set the tone for Ireland's host of squandered chances. They then wasted five penalty corner chances in a row. The post was rattled either side of post runner Emma van der Zanden charging down the castle hits. Lizzy Murphy made a sprawling second-half body save from Van Der Zanden. It paved the way for upfield Irish circle penetration but increasing desperation to find the net as more corner set-pieces went begging. With 11 minutes left, Ireland went down to 10 after a green card for Michelle Carey. And France made it count through Duffrene's rising penalty corner flick. Mullan's late yellow card for physical intent summed up their afternoon. Coach Gareth Grundie said: 'We were impatient with the ball, but we had enough opportunities to win it comfortably. We will have to take that one on the chin.'
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Irish sailing trio make good starts at Europeans
Updated / Monday, 11 Aug 2025 19:06 The McMahon siblings, Eve and Ewan, both made strong starts to their ILCA European Championships prospects in Sweden on Monday, though it wasn't plain sailing for either at the start of the six-day regatta. Eve was one of nine boats penalised for early starting in the tricky current and strong winds and received maximum points for the disqualification. However, the Howth sailor bounced back in race two by leading her division most of the way before the wind died and she took second place for that race. Older brother Ewan had a better day and is third European out of 153 boats thanks to a second and a sixth. Carlow's Finn Lynch also opened well with a third and an 11th and needs to maintain this form to secure a strong overall Gold fleet place ahead of the final series that starts on Thursday. All three Irish sailors are now counted in the top 10 in the world as they begin to focus on the 2028 LA Games. The Irish sailing squad has just returned from a three-week training camp at the Los Angeles Olympic venue.
