Latest news with #GarethGrundie
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ireland beaten by Dutch in EuroHockey opener
Ireland lost their opening game of the EuroHockey Championships as the reigning Olympic, World and European champions, Netherlands proved too strong. In temperatures that soared into the 80s Fahrenheit on a brutally hot day in north western Germany, goals from Joosje Burg and Yibbi Jansen were enough for the Dutch, but Ireland will take plenty of positives from a strong defensive performance that bodes well for the rest of the tournament. 'I think that's probably the closest we've come to them in competition in a long time,' explained Irish coach Gareth Grundie. 'Obviously not the result but happy with the performance, happy in terms of goal difference going into the rest of the group so it actually sets us up quite nicely depending on a couple of other results.' The only goal in the first half came after nine minutes and after a period of play when Ireland were settling in the game. There was a little luck involved and Irish goalkeeper Lizzie Murphy made an outstanding save only to see the ball ricochet off the chest of Sarah McAuley and into the path of Joosje Burg who had a simple tap in. Ireland's defence was brilliantly marshalled by Roisin Upton and Hannah McLoughlin and they frustrated the Dutch in the second quarter as the heat began to take its toll on both sides. A harsh penally corner call on Upton was punished by the Netherlands in the third quarter when Yibbi Jansen's shot beat Murphy. Ireland weren't deterred however and from a turnover by Mikayla Power, she set Katie Mullan and her effort was well saved by Josine Kosing. It was a big opportunity for Ireland. Kosing was on hand again to save from Hannah McLoughlin's shot at a penalty corner as Ireland refused to sit back and 'park the bus.' 'The idea was always to make sure that we were really disciplined. They're an outstanding side so the longer that we could stay in the game we knew we might get an opportunity and if one had gone in then we might have been able to push towards the end,' added , who will now prepare his side for France on Monday, a game Ireland will be expected to win. 'I think we actually have to keep that same discipline, take that same approach against France but we have to have a little bit more confidence in ourselves on the ball and go and play our own game a little bit more.'
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Ireland coach Grundie targeting Euro semi-finals
Head coach Gareth Grundie says Ireland are "not here just to take part" as they prepare to face elite opposition at the EuroHockey Championships in Germany. In 15 previous tournament appearances, the Irish have never placed higher than fifth - a position they have achieved five times. But while the tournament features six of the world's top eight teams, Grundie insists Ireland are targeting a semi-final spot. "We're really excited to get going at the EuroHockey Championships. It's a fantastic tournament and a great stage for us to test ourselves against the best teams in Europe," said Grundie, who replaced Sean Dancer as head coach last year. "We're not here just to take part; we want to challenge the top sides and push hard for a place in the semi-finals. The players are ready, and we're looking forward to seeing what we can deliver." Ireland open their tournament on Saturday against reigning Olympic, world and European champions the Netherlands before facing France on will then face hosts Germany in what will likely be a decisive game in the race for the semi-finals on Wednesday evening. Ireland completed their preparations for the Euros with an encouraging 2-1 series win over Spain in Dublin last came on the back of the runner-up finish at the Nations Cup when they lost in a shootout in the final to New Zealand."It was frustrating, and it was very disappointing not to get over the line with that one, especially because we didn't actually lose a game in real time in the whole tournament," explained captain Sarah Hawkshaw."We had a brand new coaching staff with Gareth in charge and while we achieved what we wanted to on the pitch that final hurdle in the shootout is kind of what let us down."So yes, disappointed, but looking at it now, we'll take our performances into the Pro League, and we'll be smiling going into it." The Pro League is for the future. Hawkshaw's attention is very much on this well as targeting a place in the last four, there is also the incentive of a World Cup qualifying place for next year on the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany having already qualified, the next best finisher in the Euros will claim a place without having to go through a qualifying tournament at the start of next squad boasts a wealth of experience, including World Cup silver medallists Katie Mullan and Roisin Upton and Tokyo Olympians such as Hawkshaw, Sarah Torrans, Hannah McLoughlin, Sarah McAuley and Michelle goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran, Elena Neill and Naomi Carroll are missing, giving the opportunity to the likes of Belfast Harlequins defender Katie Larmour, who will play in her first senior international Beggs and Katie McKee are the other two Ulster players in the squad.
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Gareth Grundie knows Germany game at Euros could well determine Ireland's knockout hopes
Ireland head coach Gareth Grundie hopes the weight of expectation on hosts Germany will favour his side when the teams meet in what is expected to turn out a pool decider for second spot at the upcoming EuroHockey Championships in Monchengladbach, which get under way on Friday. Currently ranked 11th in the world, Grundie's charges face a tough start to their campaign. They'll compete in Pool A and open the eight-team tournament with a challenging match against the world's top-ranked team, the Netherlands, on Saturday. The schedule for the squad continues with matches against France (world ranking 19) and Germany (world ranking 6). Belfast native Grundie replaced Sean Dancer in the hot seat last October, with the latter stepping down in March of 2024 after the team narrowly failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics. As interim head coach in 2019, Grundie successfully guided the squad through critical qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics, a first in the team's history. Prior to taking the reins at Ireland, he was at the helm of the Czech Republic, leading them to a silver medal in Division 2 of the European Championships and to bronze at the Indoor World Cup, and up to second in the world indoor rankings. "I'm not long in as head coach, but I was here for a few years as assistant coach, so it was easy to settle back in," Grundie told RTÉ Sport in the aftermath of last week's 2-1 series win in Dublin over a Spain outfit ranked seventh in the world. "I think we've probably made a few changes to the playing style since the start of the year and I think we're starting to see that little bit more control on the games. "We'll take that into next week and see how we go." Of their series win in the capital against Spain, the head coach stressed the importance of the display over the result, adding: "It's nice to get the win, it certainly builds a bit of confidence but I'm not that concerned about the result, it was more about the performance across all three games. "Ten of the 12 quarters I thought we did very well. It certainly gives us something to build on next week." Ireland are set to compete in the FIH Pro League next season for the first time, and Grundie anticipates that competition as ideal in aiding his side's development, even if it will come too late for the Euros. "I think that [experience] is what Pro League will give us, going forward," he said. "We've targeted that just to get those extra competitive games, extra caps, and just really building on the experience throughout the squad. "We're really lucky to have a few experienced players and they can really start to pass the knowledge on to the younger crew." The Netherlands lie in wait on Saturday, with Grundie aware of the task at hand, saying: "Starting the Europeans next week against Holland – they're number one for a reason. "It'll be a tough challenge, but we'll approach the group in a way to give ourselves the best opportunity going into the final group game against Germany. "I think we will still go out and play, we still want to have a go at Holland, but we have to bare in mind the group set-up and how it sits, so against both times its giving us the best opportunity against Germany. "There's still a World Cup spot up for grabs, so the semi-finals are the target but at the minute, it's one step at a time and give ourselves the best opportunity in Germany against the hosts, and certainly the pressure will be on them."
United News of India
30-06-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Ireland women promoted to FIH Hockey Pro League
Lausanne (Switzerland), June 30 (UNI) The International Hockey Federation (FIH) today confirmed that the 'Green Army' – Ireland's national hockey team nickname – will join the FIH Hockey Pro League for the 2025-26 season. It will be the first time that the finalists of the 2018 FIH Hockey Women's World Cup will join the 'League of the Best'. Ireland was promoted through the FIH Hockey Nations Cup played in Chile earlier this year. Whilst New Zealand won that event against Ireland in the final, Hockey New Zealand later indicated that the Black Sticks would not proceed with the invitation to join Pro League this time. Therefore, as stipulated in the regulations, FIH extended the invitation to the runners-up, namely Ireland, who have confirmed their participation. FIH President Tayyab Ikram said, 'Congratulations to the Ireland Women team for joining the next season of the FIH Hockey Pro League. It's wonderful to see a new team participating in the 'League of the Best'. Qualifying through the FIH Hockey Nations Cup confirms how much the latter is a great springboard to join hockey's elite.' Speaking after the announcement, Ireland Women's Head Coach Gareth Grundie said, 'I am delighted that we have been given the opportunity to participate in the FIH Pro League 2025/26 Season 7. It's a testament to the quality of play this team has achieved to date and is an excellent and invaluable opportunity for further improvement. It comes at an ideal time for us as a programme also, pitting us against the World's best teams as we go in search of qualification for the 2026 FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.' Finishing the 2024-25 Women's Pro League season in last place of the rankings, India is relegated to the FIH Hockey Nations Cup. On the men's side, following the Black Sticks' victory at the recent Nations Cup in Malaysia, FIH has extended an invitation to Hockey New Zealand for their men's team to join Pro League again next season. Since New Zealand's hockey governing body is currently undertaking a thorough analysis and decision-making process in this regard, FIH has approved their request for an extension of the deadline to confirm or decline their participation until July 21. Should New Zealand eventually decide to not participate, the runners-up of the Men's Nations Cup, namely Pakistan, would have the opportunity to consider joining the 2025-26 FIH Hockey Pro League season. UNI BM
Belfast Telegraph
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Head coach can't hide delight as Ireland Women accept invite to play in FIH Pro League for first time
The FIH Hockey Nations Cup silver medallists have gained promotion to the top League after gold medallists New Zealand, who initially pipped Ireland to the post courtesy of a shoot-out victory in the Final of that competition in March, declined their invite. As such, Ireland are the ninth and final team to be confirmed for the FIH Pro League's seventh edition where they will have the chance to test themselves against the world's leading hockey nations. Ireland, ranked No.11 in the world rankings, will face Olympic gold medallists the Netherlands, Argentina and Belgium, who are the top three sides in the global standings, as well as China, Australia, Spain, Germany and England. Gareth Grundie's outfit will replace India following their relegation on Sunday and the head coach believes the invitation is a testament to the performances his players have produced, while he also maintains it is a timely boost as Ireland look to qualify for the 2026 FIH World Cup. 'I am delighted that we have been given the opportunity to participate in the FIH Pro League 2025/26 Season Seven,' commented Grundie. 'It's a testament to the quality of play this team has achieved to date and is an excellent and invaluable opportunity for further improvement. 'It comes at an ideal time for us as a programme also, pitting us against the world's best teams as we go in search of qualification for the 2026 FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.'
