Tuesday, August 18 – Wavre, Belgium: The Ireland Women’s Hockey Team secured their first win of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, battling past New Zealand. Captain Sarah Hawkshaw gave the Green Army the lead, but New Zealand drew level in quarter three. Ireland’s lead was restored by Róisín Upton from the penalty spot, before Katie Mullan touched in an Upton flick from close range to give Ireland a two-goal cushion. New Zealand grabbed a late consolation goal with a minute in the clock, but Ireland had done enough by that point to secure the win.
After a cagey opening period, New Zealand settled first securing the first penalty corners of the game which were squandered, before Ireland went up the other end to win two of their own, their first effort going wide followed by a second being saved by Black Sticks goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon.
Penalty corners remained both sides’ best route to opportunities on goal, but neither could convert in the early stages of quarter 2. Ireland, though, found the game’s breakthrough, Aisling Utri beating her opposite player and feeding Ellen Curran who in turn found Niamh Carey free inside the circle. Carey pushed goalward where Braxgata teammate and Ireland Captain Sarah Hawkshaw was waiting to deflect into the roof of the net.
Ireland carried their momentum into the second half, Emily Kealy winning the ball off the restart and firing a reverse stick shot at O’Hanlon who did well to save. New Zealand, though, mounted a response, winning a barrage of penalty corners which eventually ended in their equaliser.
Ireland, though, remained calm to maintain control of the tie going final quarter. Fullback Ellen Curran drove with purpose along the right flank to draw a foul which resulted in a deserved penalty corner. Ireland opted for a variation from the setpiece, which ended in Aisling Utri deflecting the ball goalward from close range, hitting a New Zealand player on the line to win a penalty stroke.
Roisin Upton stepped up calmly to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and restore Ireland’s lead.
With momentum behind them Ireland continued to push. Another penalty corner this time won by Charley Beggs gave Ireland the chance to extend their lead. Upton flicked from top circle, finding the onrushing Katie Mullan who touched the ball over O’Hanlon to double Ireland’s lead, and almost secure victory.
A late goal for New Zealand from a penalty corner proved only to be a consolation, as Ireland got off the mark in Wavre with a crucial three points.
The result keeps Ireland’s hopes of a top two finish in Pool C alive, with a win over hosts Belgium on Thursday potentially enough to see them progress.
Speaking after the game, goalscorer Katie Mullan said:
“A World Cup win is not easy to come by. We had an early start this morning and I think we came out of the blocks quite well. Ourselves and New Zealand have played each other so many times over the years that it was always going to be a battle.
I think we showed great resilience and executed our corners again which are really threatening. I am so proud of the girls, it was just unbelievable strength of character.”
The Ireland Women’s Hockey Team will now turn their attention to their final Pool C match against host Belgium on Thursday August 20 at 19:30 Irish Time.
Before then, the Ireland Men’s Hockey Team take on South Africa later today at 16:00 Irish Time, as they look to secure a first win of their own in Wavre.
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