3 days ago
‘It's probably the closest we've got to them in a long time' – Ireland hockey coach finds silver linings in Netherlands defeat
The Loretto stopper replaced the injured Ayeisha McFerran as No.1 in Monchengladbach and the 25-year-old's superb performance saw Ireland produce one of their best displays against a team unbeaten at these Championships since 2015.
'Lizzy's a really talented goalkeeper,' said Gurndy. 'She's played second to Ayeisha for a while, but we always knew once she had to step up she was more than capable and she showed that today.'
The Dutch opener came in the ninth minute from an incisive three-way interchange from their own 23m. Murphy had brilliantly blocked the final shot before Joosje Burg touched home the rebound.
Ireland were on the backfoot for the majority of their opening pool encounter, but squandered the precious few chances presented to them.
Ireland's first penalty corner came in the third quarter but Christina Hamill scuffed her shot. Minutes later, dangerous corner flicker Yibbi Jansen struck low past Murphy's right boot.
Ireland's best chance came late in the third quarter on a counter move which saw Katie Mullan's shot cleared off the line.
'They've scored seven and 11 against other teams in the Pro League this year, so we knew it was going to be a tough defensive performance,' Grundie added. 'But we were disciplined and really switched on throughout.
'We had a plan to keep ourselves in the game as long as we could. At 1-0 down in the third quarter we had an opportunity but it's probably the closest we've got to them in a competition in a long time.'
Ireland play France on Monday in a must-win game to keep alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals for the first time.
