11-08-2025
Ireland out to pass French test after solid EuroHockey start
It's rare in sport that defeat can be looked on in a positive light, but there's no denying that Ireland's opening 2-0 loss to the all-conquering Netherlands side was a commendable outcome.
The side's EuroHockey Championship Pool A campaign continues today against France (live on RTÉ2/ RTÉ Player from 2.30pm), but defeat certainly will not be viewed in such a positive light.
With a game against Germany still to come, victory is a must if Ireland are to reach a first-ever semi-final, and it's a game they should be winning.
The French have never finished higher than seventh in the tournament – and that was all the way back in 1995 – and they needed a qualifier win on home soil to reach this tournament with wins against Luxembourg (smashing in 22 goals in the process), Ukraine and Poland seeing them through.
Ève Verzura didn't feature in that qualifying tournament, but she did grab the only French goal in their opener in Mönchengladbach as they went down 4-1 to Germany on Saturday.
It was hoped that the Paris Games last year would spark something in the French side, albeit they did lose all five group games. This is a fixture that could demonstrate any significant improvement.
Ireland will be in confident mood at the Warsteiner HockeyPark after Saturday's opener, none more so than Elizabeth Murphy.
The fact that the Netherlands were only able to score twice owed much to the heroics of the goalkeeper.
The energy levels and high press of the Irish would have delighted coach Mick McKinnon and he'll be expecting more of the same today.
What he will want to see is more of an attacking threat at the other end.
Saturday, understandably, was about digging in and limiting chances, but France presents an opportunity to go on the offensive.
Team captain Sarah Hawkshaw, Katie Mullan and Hannah McLoughlin all tested Anne Veenendaal in the Netherlands' goal, and they'll hope that French stopper Violette Ferront will have an even busier afternoon's work.
A massive chance to earn a first win at the tournament, and one that should be taken.
