Saturday, June 27 – Berlin, Germany: The Ireland Women’s Hockey Team tasted defeat in their final match of the FIH Hockey Pro League, with an early China goal proving the difference-maker after a performance of real purpose and intensity from the Irish side. The result sees Ireland relegated from the tournament by the finest of margins, despite a debut campaign of real positives.
With FIH Hockey Pro League status at stake, Ireland needed to secure at least a bonus point draw against China in their final outing of their debut season to keep their hopes of remaining in the topflight alive.
Ireland began on the front foot against World #4 China, looking to immediately grab control of the contest. China, though, tested Elizabeth Murphy early after latching onto a long ball into the circle, but the Loreto shot stopper was more than equal to the effort. The momentum continued with China as they pressed Ireland high and turned the ball over, their delivery across the circle took a touch off an Irish stick, deflecting it goalward, giving China an early lead.
China remained dangerous in possession running at the Irish defense and forcing Roisin Upton into a great tackle. They eventually won a penalty corner which Sarah Torrans defended. Ireland counterattacked, working the ball up the pitch with real pace and allowing Caoimhe Perdue the time to play a crash ball into the Chinese circle, but it just evaded the onrushing Katie Mullan.
Three late chances from China, one from a penalty corner and two from open play called Elizabeth Murphy into action to make three superb saves to keep Ireland within a goal of their opposition.
An early penalty corner in the second quarter for China kept Ireland busy defensively, before Ireland regained a foothold in the tie. The aerial ball was Ireland’s most fruitful route to attacking opportunities, with Katie Mullan finding Niamh Carey inside the Chinese circle, forcing goalkeeper Haixuan Fang into action for the first time.
Ireland’s best effort came soon after, Niamh Carey using her pace out wide to drive into the circle and pull the ball to Emily Kealy who was denied by Fang, before Michelle Carey’s follow up was also blocked. Ireland remained a goal behind going into half-time.
China began the second half with their fifth penalty corner of the match, forcing Elena Neill to stop the effort at goal on the line and clear. Ireland responded, enjoying possession in the attacking third. Sublime individual skill from Niamh Carey saw her break into the circle and find Sarah Torrans who drew a foul to win a penalty corner. Ireland came within inches of their equaliser after recovering possession, Katie Mullan striking at goal on the half-turn, but Fang got the feintest of touches to divert the ball wide.
Ireland remained aggressive in their play, camping themselves in the Chinese half and forcing them into consistent defensive action. China though, weren’t without their chances, with a penalty corner almost resulting in their second, but their ball across the face of goal didn’t get the touch required to send it goalward.
With just fifteen minutes remaining, Ireland continued to play with real intensity and purpose. An early venture into the Chinese circle once again spurred on by Niamh Carey ended in a goalmouth scramble, but China escaped with a free out.
After thwarting a Chinese attack, Hannah McLoughlin launched Ireland into attack with an aerial ball to Katie Mullan. They worked the ball to Sarah Hawkshaw who struck at goal, but her effort hit a Chinese defender and China once again escaped.
Ireland withdrew their goalkeeper as one last roll of the dice, but China held possession and eventually won a penalty corner forcing Ireland to defend it without Murphy in net. With one minute to play Ireland regained possession deep in their own half but couldn’t create a last attacking opportunity.
The result means Ireland have been relegated from the FIH Hockey Pro League and will compete in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup, the global second tier, next season.
The side will turn their attention to the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup where, alongside the men, they will once again go toe-to-toe will the world’s best sides in Wavre, Belgium. Ireland begin their campaign on August 16 against Spain in their first of three pool stage matches.
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