HOCKEY Women's team defeat New Zealand

A much refreshed Ireland team tore into New Zealand from the start creating a few chances in the first five minutes.  A brilliant run
by Loreto’s Cathy McKean picking up in her own half driving into the New Zealand circle and winning Ireland first and only penalty corner of the game.  From the resulting corner a fine strike from Louisa Moore was superbly saved by the NZ keeper.  Good defending by McKeever and O’Brien kept the New Zealand attack at bay and Healy had to make her first save of the game in the 25th minute. With five minutes to the break Niamh Small created an attack down the right was supported by O’Brien who drove into the circle and released a great ball to Louisa Moore who made no mistake to put Ireland 1-0 at half time.

New Zealand took control from the whistle and forced Healy into action and from resulting pressure equalised from open play in the 40th minute. Ireland continued to counter attack using the aerial ball to great effect down both flanks.  McDonough and Flinn both had chances but were thwarted by an alert New Zealand defence. In the 54th minute after great work by McDonough, Julia O’Halloran gave the keeper no chance with a wonderful strike to put Ireland 2-1 up. Two minutes later after a brilliant run by McKean Ireland were unlucky not be awarded a penalty stroke.  Great works in defence by Hollie Moffett in a last frantic five minutes saved Ireland and in the 69 minute New Zealand were awarded their first and only penalty corner of the game but they failed to convert. 

Irish Coach Muller commented afterwards “This was very satisfying win for the team we have worked hard this year and to win against the World’s 7th ranked team is a great boost.” 

Starting XI: Louisa Healy, Clare Parkhill, Bridget McKeever, Ciara O’Brien, Shirley McCay, Eimear Cregan, Emma Stewart, Nikki Symmons, Cathy McKean, Lisa Jacob Louisa Moore.

Rolling Subs: Roisin Flinn, Jenny McDonough, Julia O’Halloran, Niamh Small, Hollie Moffett.

Not Used; Emma Clarke and Mary Goode

Name                                      Club                                        Caps

Mary Goode (GK)                   Pembroke Wanderers               38

Louisa Healy (GK)                   Loreto                                      26

Roisin Flinn                               UCD                                        35

Eimear Cregan                          Cork Harlequins                       126

Emma Clarke                           Randlastown                             40

Emma Stewart                          Armagh                                    44

Bridget McKeever                    Ballymoney                               101

Shirley McCay                         Randalstown                             35

Jenny McDonough                      Belfast Harlequins                     98

Cathy McKean                         Loreto                                      91

Julia O’Halloran                        UCC                                        26

Ciara O’Brien                           UCD                                        139

Nikki Symmons                        Loreto                                      89

Lisa Jacob                                UCD                                        18

Niamh Small                             Loreto                                      3

Clare Parkhill                            Randalstown                             57

Hollie Moffett                           UCC                                        4

Louisa Moore                           Pembroke Wanderers               6

Match Schedule

Date                                        Match                                     NZ Time

29th February                           Ireland V China                                    18.30

1st March                                 Ireland V New Zealand                        14.30

For more info: www.hockey.ie