Monday, August 24 – Wavre, Belgium: The Ireland Women’s Hockey Team suffered a 3-1 defeat to the USA in their penultimate match of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. Ireland led in quarter 1 thanks to a Niamh Carey deflection, but three unanswered goals in quarter 2, 3, & 4 for the USA saw them secure the win. The result means Ireland have come third in Pool H and will move to Amstelveen, The Netherlands, where they will take on South Africa in the 13th/14th Place Ranking match.
A place in the 9th/10th ranking match was still a possibility for both Ireland and the USA as they entered their last Pool H clash, with both needing in a win in order to top the pool.
The slow and controlled start to the tie from both sides soon saw Ireland get the first sight of goal, winning two penalty corners inside the opening five minutes forcing USA goalkeeper Kelsey Bing into an excellent stick save low to her right side. Ireland though got an early breakthrough when they won the ball on the left flank, Emily Kealy releasing Aisling Utri high and wide who fired an inch-perfect reverse into the circle for Niamh Carey to deflect into the back of the net.
Momentum remained in Ireland’s favour early in the second half with another set of penalty corners coming their way, but both Hannah McLoughlin and Caoimhe Perdue’s efforts at goal were saved.
The USA, though, won a penalty corner with three minutes to play in the half. Their initial effort was well saved but they recovered possession and worked the ball back into the Irish circle where Lucy Adams found the space to shoot at goal and bring her side level.
The half-time break appeared to breathe life into Ireland again as they won another set of penalty corners, but were denied on both occasions. The USA, though, tipped the balance of play in their favour in the latter stages of quarter three as they won a series of penalty corners, the fourth of which ended in their second courtesy of a Mia Schoenbeck dragflick.
The hammer blow arrived in the final quarter when the USA extended their lead to two through an Abigail Tamer reverse stick shock. With just under three minutes to play, Ireland withdrew goalkeeper Elizabeth Murphy and piled on the pressure in one last roll of the dice, but the USA’s defense held firm as they walked away with a 3-1 win.
The result sees Ireland remain in third in Pool H meaning they will now travel to Amstelveen, The Netherlands for their final match of their FIH Hockey World Cup campaign. The side will take on South Africa on Thursday, August 27 in the 13th/14th Ranking Match.
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