Wednesday, June 17 – Rotterdam, The Netherlands: The Ireland Women’s Hockey team came away with a well-earned point in their penultimate outing in Rotterdam in the FIH hockey Pro League. Spain took the lead early on but Ireland responded, Hannah McLoughlin firing into the back of the net from a penalty corner. The chances favoured the green army, but Spanish goalkeeper Clara Lopez kept her side level, with Ayeisha McFerran also making some critical late saves for Ireland to see the sides share the points. Spain came away with the bonus point in the shootout, Perez making the necessary saves to help Spain come out on top.
Ireland were positive from the off, launching the ball deep into Spanish territory and immediately deploying their press as they looked to test their opposition’s composure early, setting the tone for what promised to be a closely fought battle in Rotterdam.
Ireland produced the first circle penetration of note as they won the ball high and worked the ball to Jessica McMaster who couldn’t quite make a clean connection with her strike to test goalkeeper Clara Perez. Spain responded quickly, attacking Ireland and flashing the ball past the back post. A second effort from Spain ricocheted off the post and back across goal, but Spain reclaimed possession and worked the ball to flick into the side netting to break the deadlock.
Ireland’s press continued to pay dividends, Jessica McMaster winning the ball and firing at the net, but Perez was equal to the effort and kicked clear. Aisling Utri won Ireland a penalty corner with a minute remaining to give her side a chance to go level, a chance Hannah McLoughlin took slapping powerfully into the net.
Spain did well to break the Irish press early on, forcing Ayeisha McFerran to run out of the Irish goal and intervene to deny Martha Segue an effort at goal. A second chance came moments later as Spain capitalised on an error at the back, but McFerran once again was to hand to quell the chance.
Ireland worked the ball well on two occasions in the minutes that followed, the first ending in a blocked Niamh Carey effort, followed by an excellent one-two interchange between Sarah Hawkshaw and Aisling Utri, but the Ireland captain was just disposed as she wound up to shoot. The Green Army continued to look dangerous, Katie Larmour playing a crash ball into the circle which ended in Ireland’s second penalty corner of the tie, but Spain blocked McLoughlin’s effort.
A penalty up to opposite end provided Spain their first real chance of the second quarter, but Sarah Torrans and Charlotte Beggs combined well to thwart their opposition’s efforts.
The two sides sized each other up in the third quarter, with high pressing from both sides limiting time on the ball and extended periods of pressure.
Some quick thinking from Sarah Torrans late on saw her make her way into the Spanish circle with space to flick at goal, but Perez once again blocked the effort.
An excellent start to the final quarter saw Charlotte Beggs draw a heavy stick challenge to win a penalty corner. This time, Lisa Mulcahy flicked at goal, forcing Perez to parry high for a second corner. McLoughlin slapped from the follow-up effort but she lifted her effort high and a free out was awarded. A period of Spanish possession followed as Ireland defensive block dealt well with several waves of pressure.
Spain eventually earned a penalty corner for their efforts, their second of the game. McFerran did superbly to get down to save the first, followed by excellent running from Michelle Carey to block the second, and then another save from McFerran from the third.
Another series of penalty corners for Spain with just over two minutes remaining required the Irish defence to once again show their bravery. Sarah Torrans as always was up to the task, and Ireland remained level.
Ireland eventually manufactured a chance, Michelle Carey breaking into the circle and finding a Spanish foot to earn a penalty corner. Roisin Upton flicked to Aisling Utri to deflect but her touch took the ball wide. The sides shared the points at the end of a tense tie, with Spain prevailing in the shootout to secure the bonus point.
Ireland will face Spain once again tomorrow, June 18 at 16:00 Irish time in their final match of The Netherlands stage of the FIH Hockey Pro League.
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