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Irish Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Almost mission impossible as Ireland face Germany for place in EuroHockey semi-finals
EuroHockey Championships: Ireland v Germany, Mönchengladbach, Wednesday, 7pm It's not quite mission impossible, but it's close enough for Ireland. To qualify for the semi-finals of the EuroHockey Championships for the first time they must beat Germany by a two-goal margin in Mönchengladbach on Wednesday evening. To put that challenge in context, the Germans, ranked seven places above Ireland, won 5-0 when the nations met in the 2023 tournament. That's the measure of the task, then, that faces Gareth Grundie's side after their defeats by the Netherlands and France in their opening two pool games. Ireland are the only team in the tournament yet to pick up a point or score a goal. READ MORE While they took heart from their display against the Dutch, only losing 2-0 to the world champions , their first defeat by France left them dejected , not least because they created enough chances to win the game comfortably. Grundie's chief worry will be his players' failure to capitalise on penalty corners. Ireland won two against the Dutch and 13 against the French, but none bore fruit, the lack of variation hardly helping their cause. If they are to have any chance of beating the Germans, that area of their game has to click. While the German hosts might not be the force they once were, back when they were winning Olympic Games, World Cups and European Championships, they're still sixth in the world rankings and were bronze medallists at the last Europeans. They were no match for the Dutch, though, on Monday, finding themselves 3-0 down after just 13 minutes before losing 5-1. Ireland will hope that their opponents prove to be similarly fragile defensively on Wednesday. The Dutch will be expected to beat France earlier on Wednesday. In the unlikely event of a draw or a French win, Ireland's semi-final ambitions would be over, regardless of how they fare against Germany. If the mission does indeed prove impossible, then Ireland would enter the fifth- to eighth-place pool. The sizeable safety net in this tournament is there will be no relegation because the 2027 championships will be extended from eight to 12 competing nations. In pool B, all four teams – leaders Belgium, England, Spain and Scotland – still have a chance of making the semi-finals, the key game being the meeting between England (three points) and Spain (two).
BBC News
5 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.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ireland's women promoted to Pro League for first time
Ireland's women will play in the FIH Pro League for the first time later this year after accepting an invitation from the world governing Grundie's side narrowly missed out on automatic promotion to the sport's highest level of competition after the lost the final of the FIH Nations to New Zealand in defeat, in a shootout, meant New Zealand could have taken their place in the Pro League but declined the are the ninth and final team to be confirmed for the seventh edition of the Pro League. They will play alongside the World's top sides, including Olympic gold medallists Netherlands, Olympic Bronze medallists Argentina, and World number 3 other countries taking part are Germany, England, China, Australia and currently ranked eleven in the world, will replace India in next season's competition, following their relegation on timing of their inclusion in the competition couldn't be better with qualification for the 2026 World Cup coming up at the start of next year and will provide the best preparation for the squad."I am delighted that we have been given the opportunity to participate in the FIH Pro League 2025/26 Season 7,' said Ireland Women's Head Coach Gareth 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."The Irish squad, currently preparing for the European Championships in August, will find out their Pro League schedule shortly.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ireland stun Belgium for first win in Pro League
Ireland have stunned world number two side Belgium in the FIH Pro League in Antwerp. Goalkeeper Jamie Carr saved a penalty stroke in the first half before Louis Rowe and Lee Cole gave Ireland a two-goal advantage. Advertisement Nicolas De Kerpel responded for Belgium, however Cole landed his second penalty corner and 's side had enough to hold on despite Thomas Crols' effort. It is a first win in the 2024-25 campaign for Ireland and it came a day after Belgium ran out 5-1 winners in the first game between the sides. "It was nice to bounce back after yesterday, we were very disappointed [with the performance] as a team," said Carr. "I was happy to contribute a little bit to that. Defensively that was a much better performance, and where we wanted to be. "We beat Belgium twice [in Antwerp] last year, but we have been struggling to get over the line this year. It's nice to get a win on the board." Carr saves set up Irish win After dominating the game a day before against an Ireland side without a victory, Belgium were heavy favourites in Sunday's game and had the perfect chance to take the lead when Ben Ryder gave away a penalty. Advertisement However, Carr guessed correctly and denied his club team-mate Alexander Hendrikx to keep the scores level in the opening quarter. Ireland then took a shock lead early in the second half when Fergus Gibson worked some space down the right and he found Rowe, who smashed home to break the deadlock. Belgium immediately searched for a response and Carr was again called into action, but it was the underdogs who extended their advantage when Cole flicked home a penalty corner. The pressure from the hosts finally told when De Kerpel shot past Carr two minutes later, and the Irish goalkeeper denied Tom Boon as Belgium flew forward. However, some good work by Matthew Nelson allowed Cole to convert his second penalty corner of the match, and the Irish held on despite Crols' late effort.
BBC News
15-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ireland stun Belgium for first win in Pro League
Ireland have stunned world number two side Belgium in the FIH Pro League in Jamie Carr saved a penalty stroke in the first half before Louis Rowe and Lee Cole gave Ireland a two-goal De Kerpel responded for Belgium, however Cole landed his second penalty corner and 's side had enough to hold on despite Thomas Crols' is a first win in the 2024-25 campaign for Ireland and it came a day after Belgium ran out 5-1 winners in the first game between the sides. "It was nice to bounce back after yesterday, we were very disappointed [with the performance] as a team," said Carr. "I was happy to contribute a little bit to that. Defensively that was a much better performance, and where we wanted to be."We beat Belgium twice [in Antwerp] last year, but we have been struggling to get over the line this year. It's nice to get a win on the board." Carr saves set up Irish win After dominating the game a day before against an Ireland side without a victory, Belgium were heavy favourites in Sunday's game and had the perfect chance to take the lead when Ben Ryder gave away a Carr guessed correctly and denied his club team-mate Alexander Hendrikx to keep the scores level in the opening then took a shock lead early in the second half when Fergus Gibson worked some space down the right and he found Rowe, who smashed home to break the deadlock. Belgium immediately searched for a response and Carr was again called into action, but it was the underdogs who extended their advantage when Cole flicked home a penalty corner. The pressure from the hosts finally told when De Kerpel shot past Carr two minutes later, and the Irish goalkeeper denied Tom Boon as Belgium flew forward. However, some good work by Matthew Nelson allowed Cole to convert his second penalty corner of the match, and the Irish held on despite Crols' late effort.
