Federation of International Hockey Ireland Women’s SoftCo International Series v Great Britain 2021

Federation of International Hockey Logo [References: 1]

Results

DateVenueHome TeamAway Team
13.03.2021Ireland1Great Britain2
14.03.2021Queen’s University BelfastIreland2Great Britain1
16.03.2021Queen’s University BelfastIreland1Great Britain1
[References: 2-4]

General Report

Ireland halved the SoftCo Internaional Hockey Series with Great Britain in Queen’s University Belfast during St. Patrick’s week 2021, securing a first ever win over the current Olympic Gold Medalists, and drawing another and losing one of the three matches.

Ireland’s Chloe Watkins in action for Ireland versus Great Britain in the SoftCo Series 14t March 2021 – Picture Credit: @INPHO/Bryan Keane [References: 5]

Match 1 – 13 March 2021 – Queen’s University Belfast – Ireland 1 Great Britain 2

In Ireland’s first home match in 497 days due to the coronavirus outbreak, Upton secured the lead in the first quarter with a penalty stroke after Anna O’Flanagan was brought down inside the circle. Ireland were in fine form, and had many chances, but minutes into the second half Robertson equalised for Great Britain after a move down the left wing was crossed into the circle. Great Britain went in the first minute of the fourth quarter and despite Irish pressure held on for the win.

At Queen’s University BelfastQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
Ireland10001
Great Britain00112
[References: 2]
QuarterTeamScorersScore
1IrelandUpton (PS)1-0
3Great BritainAnsley1-1
4Great BritainRobertson1-2

Match 2 – 14 March 2021 – Queen’s University Belfast – Ireland 2 Great Britain 1

After a scoreless first quarter, which saw plenty of opportunities for both teams, Great Britain took the lead in the second quarter after Sarah Evans drove the ball across the Ireland goal for Laura Unsworth to stear it past Ireland’s McFerrin. In the third quarter, Ireland equalised through Watkins who hit the backboard after an assist by Colvin. In the Final quarter, high drama saw GB given a second yellow card, after O’Flanagan was taken down inside gthe circle. Upton stepped up again to secure the win with her second penalty stroke in two matches. It was Ireland’s first ever time defeating the Great Britain team, current Olympic Gold Medallists, which captain Katie Mullan said was special to do on home soil.

At Queen’s University BelfastQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
Ireland00112
Great Britain01001
[References: 3]
QuarterTeamScorersScore
2Great BritainLaura Unsworth0-1
3IrelandWatkins1-1
4IrelandUpton (PS)2-1

Match 3 – 16 March 2021 – Queen’s University Belfast – Ireland 1 Great Britain 1

16 March 2021 – Ireland 1 Great Britain 1 – The day before St. Patrick’s Day Ireland drew with Great Britain in a match littered with penalty corners. After the first three quarters finished fruitless for both sides, R Upton put Ireland ahead after clearing the ball from defense, which Daly converted into a penalty corner. This time, at the second penalty corner of the attack, the ball is stopped on the line under the body of the Great Britain goalie, Hinch. ireland were awarded a penalty stroke, which Upton converted putting Ireland 1-0 up. Great Britain were invigorated by this, seeking an equaliser. With Robertson getting a Green Card, sending GB down to 10 players like Ireland. McCay was intercepted by Petters, after securing possession in the home circle, and Petters who scored on the reverse stick into the corner to level the scores at 1-1. After Watkins gained a yellow card, GB piled on the pressure in the final seconds, but Upton remained calm in defense, denying the GB team the winner.

At Queen’s University BelfastQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
Ireland00011
Great Britain00011
[References: 4]
QuarterTeamScorerScore
4IrelandUpton (PS)1-0
4Great BritainPetters1-1
[References; 4]

Ireland Roster

Ireland13 March14 March16 March
A McFerrinXX
Nikki EvansXX
Zara MalseedXX
R UptonX – 1 Goal (PS)X – 1 Goal (PS)X – 1 Goal (PS)
Katie MullanXXX
S McCayXXX
L TiceXX
B BarrXX
Naomi CarrollXX
Chloe WatkinsX – 1 GoalX
Lizzie ColvinX
H MatthewsXX
S TorransXX
S HawkshawXXX
Anna O’FlanaganXXX
Liz MurphyXX
S McAuleyXX
Michelle CareyXXX
H McLoughlinXX
M FraserXX
Grace O’FlanaganXX
N DalyX
H MatthewsX
S TorransX
Niamh CareyXX
D DukeXX
[References: 3]

References

Images

[1] Federation of International Hockey (2020) FIH-International_Hockey_Federation_Logo [Internet] Available from:https://eurohockey.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/FIH-International_Hockey_Federation_Logo.png [Accessed 23 August 2020]

Websites

[2] Hockey Ireland (2021) MATCH REPORT. IRELAND V GREAT BRITAIN IN MATCH 1 OF SOFTCO SERIES. [Internet] Available from: https://hockey.ie/match-report-ireland-v-great-britain-in-match-1-of-softco-series/ [Accessed 20 March 2021]

[3] Hockey Ireland (2021) MATCH REPORT. IRELAND V GREAT BRITAIN IN MATCH 2 OF SOFTCO SERIES. [Internet] Available from: https://hockey.ie/match-report-ireland-v-great-britain-in-match-2-of-softco-series/ [Accessed 20 March 2021]

[4] Hockey Ireland (2021) MATCH REPORT. IRELAND V GREAT BRITAIN IN MATCH 3 OF SOFTCO SERIES [Internet] Available from: https://hockey.ie/match-report-ireland-v-great-britain-in-match-3-of-softco-series/ [Accessed 20 March 2021]

Images

[5] INPHO; Bryan Keane / Hockey Ireland (2021) Chloe-Watkins-in-action-in-the-SoftCo-Series-14th-March-1030×831 [Internet] Available from: https://hockey.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Chloe-Watkins-in-action-in-the-SoftCo-Series-14th-March-1030×831.jpg [Accessed 20 March 2021]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Margaret Williams. (UCD)

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 20 March 2021

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2021

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.

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