Graham Shaw’s Green Army into hockey World Cup final
By William O'Connor
GRAHAM Shaw’s green army have qualified for the Women’s Hockey World Cup final following a dramatic 3-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Spain in London on Saturday afternoon.
From Firhouse, Head Coach Graham Shaw, who is a member of Tallaght club Glenanne, was incredibly proud of guiding his team to the final for the very first time.
“This performance was testament to the character and belief in our team. It was warm out there, and I thought we looked the stronger side in the final minutes, and that’s down to the fitness of this team and how hard they work.
“This is just amazing and hopefully this will be a changing moment in our sport. I could not be more proud of this team, they deserve every bit of this.
“I have never been involved in a team that have have been so close together, in all my life.
“They fight for every single moment. We will enjoy the next few hours. We will enjoy the final and we want to thank everyone back home for their support, it has been incredible.
“The final will be a life-changing moment for all these players and we are looking forward to the game.”
It was the dream start for the Green Army as Katie Mullan sent the ball into the circle and won the first penalty corner of the game.
Shirley McCay swept the ball from the top of the circle and Anna O’Flanagan slipped her marker and deflected past Maria Ruiz to give her side the lead in the third minute.
The pace and precision of the Green Army didn’t let up and Gillian Pinder won her side’s second penalty corner before the end of the first quarter. A straight strike from the top by Ali Meeke was well saved by Maria Ruiz as O’Flanagan lurked in front looking for another deflection.
Julia Pons sent a deflection at the other end just past the post as Spain settled into the game, likewise Carola Salvatella sent an unconventional shot just wide. The Green Army defence continued their impenetrable form with Shirley McCay and Hannah Matthews frustrating the Spanish forward line and limiting any further clear cut chances.
Ireland ended the half the better of the two sides, with Deidre Duke sending a reverse strike inches wide and then combining with Nikki Evans to win Ireland’s third penalty corner. Matthews’ sweep from the top was saved by Ruiz and Ireland went in at half time holding their 1-0 lead.
It took just 2 minutes into the second half for Mullan to win her sides fourth penalty corner but the variation didn’t quite come off as McCay sent the ball to the right looking for Mullan on the post. Two minutes later and it looked like Spain had their first penalty corner but a smart referral by Matthews saw the ball lifted high and the Green Army won the free out.
Spain began to up the pressure as the half progressed and got their equaliser in the 39th minute from a ball crossed in to Alicia Magaz who scored from close range. The stats show that Spain had 21 circle entries as they chased the winner, with Lucia Jimenez sending her shot over the crossbar.
Mullan won her side a penalty corner in the final two minutes but Zoe Wilson’s sweep was saved off the line by Rocio Gutierrez and the sides were destined for a shoot-out.
It was Pinder who was the hero as she scored her first shot and then her second in sudden death in the sixth round. In between those two vital moments, Watkins scored in the fifth round and Ayeisha McFerran was unbeatable in four of Spain’s attempts.
Pinder’s second goal secured the 3-2 victory and put the Green Army in their first ever World Cup Final.
The final will be played tomorrow against Holland.
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