Ireland began their Pool C campaign with a game against Spain in Moenchengladbach earlier today. Sarah McAuley converted a penalty corner in the 14th minute to put IRL ahead with a score of 1-0. They led at the end of the first quarter.
Spain equalized from a penalty corner converted by Candela Meijas in the 33rd minute. Caitlin Sherin was green carded for Ireland in the 34th minute but there was no further scoring in the quarter and it was 1-1 at half time.
Spain took the lead from a penalty corner by Belén Iglesias in the 38th minute. Spain were temporarily reduced to 10 players when Alejandra Torres-Quevedo was yellow carded in the 49th minute. Ireland were quick to capitalise as Roisín Upton came to the rescue by grabbing the equalizer from another penalty corner in the 49th minute to make it 2-2.
Spain were back down to 10 players temporarily when Lucia Jiminez was green carded in the 57th minute. Ireland finished the game with 10 players when Ellen Curran was yellow carded in the 59th minute.
The game finished 2-2 with both sides getting a point apiece. That point is enough to secure at worst a 6th place finish and securing a place in the 2025 EuroHockey Championship. It should in turn, almost ensure that Ireland will be in that qualification group in January 2024, in either China or Spain.
Ireland will play Italy tomorrow, Friday Aug 25, at 15:00 Ireland time.
SPAIN:
Maria Ruiz (GK), Sara Barrios, Julia Strappato, Lucia Jiminez, Maria Lopez, Belén Iglesias, Maelen Garcia, Candela Meijas, Xantal Gine (C), Beatriz Perez, Alejandra Torres-Quevedo
SUBS: Clara Perez(GK) 31 mins, Laura Barrios, Marta Segu, Constanza Amundsen, Clara Ycart, Laia Vidosa, Patricia Alvarez
IRELAND:
Ayeisha McFerran (GK), Sarah McAuley, Elena Neill, Roisín Upton, Sarah Hawkshaw, Charlotte Beggs, Katie McKee, Deirdre Duke, Katie Mullan (C), Niamh Carey, Caitlin Sherin
SUBS: Liz Murphy (GK) 31 mins, Michelle Carey, Caoimhe Perdue, Ellen Curran, Sarah Torrans, Hannah McLoughlin, Naomi Carroll
