Thursday, August 27 – Amstelveen, The Netherlands: The Ireland Women’s Hockey Team ended their 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup campaign with a win over South Africa in Amstelveen to finish in 13th place. A first quarter goal proved the difference maker as eventual player of the match Niamh Carey found twin sister Michelle free in the circle to break the deadlock.
While not the game Ireland would have hoped to have been in when they began their campaign, their final run-out in the new surroundings of Amstelveen procided the side an opportunity to finish their campaign on a positive note as they took on South Africa in the 13th/14th Play-Off.
Ireland dominated the opening minutes, but South Africa sent an early warning shot as they called goalkeeper Lizzy Murphy into action to keep the game scoreless. Ireland regained their control, manufacturing several attacking opportunities, the best of which coming from a penalty corner which was charged down.
Ireland’s breakthrough eventually came when Niamh Carey drove with purpose down the left flank making her way into the South Africa circle and playing a perfect ball to twin sister Michelle who was well positioned on the back post to turn into the net.
Three penalty corners in quarter two, and an effort at goal provided Ireland with opportunities to extend their lead before half-time but South Africa were equal to the efforts to keep the score at 1-0 in Ireland’s favour.
South Africa began the second-half with some early energy, but Ireland quickly wrested back control and won a penalty corner. Caoimhe Perdue’s flick at goal looked destined for the back of the net, but a last minutes touch took it wide of the post.
The penalty corners continued to come for Ireland in the final quarter as they looked to put the game to bed, but once again the South African defensive unit stepped up to deny them. With five minutes to play, South Africa withdrew goalkeeper Morgan De Jaeger i favour of an additional outfield player. Ireland did well to deny them any ground until the final minute when they found a route into the Irish circle to win a penalty corner.
Ireland’s Lizzy Murphy stepped up from the set piece to boot the ball clear, settling the Irish nerves and securing a 1-0 win for her side in the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup closer.
Discussing the importance of ending their campaign on a win, Ireland’s Niamh Carey said:
“It was really really important for us as a team. We didn’t finish necessarily where we wanted to in this World Cup, and we had a few ups and downs throughout, so ending on a win is definitely really important for us as a team going forward. Ranking points-wise, it’s also important for us as well.
Discussing the opportunity to play alongside her twin sister Michelle, Niamh Carey said:
“It’s great, I know she always wants to pass to me so it’s great, I always play o the side that she is on! When we connect to score a goal it is really special.”
The result sees ireland end their campaign with a 13th place finish. As things stand the result means Ireland will be in the bottom six seed for the 2027 EuroHockey Championships, meaning they will need to play two preliminary pool stage matches in order to secure a semi-final place.
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