The Ireland women’s hockey team have qualified for the Olympics for the first time.
They beat Canada (4-3) in a penalty shootout after being locked 0-0 in across 8 quarters played over 2 days in Donnybrook.
☸️FIH Olympic Qualifier | #IRLvsCAN
☑️2018 World Cup, done
☑️2020 Olympics, confirmed.Ireland on 🔥🔥🔥#FIHOlympicQualifiers | @irishhockey | #IrelandHockey pic.twitter.com/QEIPrtV4Oa
— The DragFlick™ (@thedragflick) November 3, 2019
Ireland were 3-1 down in the shootout at one stage but goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran saved twice as the girls in green booked their ticket to Tokyo.
Speaking about the victory, Captain Kathyrn Mullan, said she is speechless.
☸️FIH Olympic Qualifier | #IRLvsCAN
"I am just speechless. This win is also for everyone who have played before us and could never make it for the Olympics." Irish WNT Captain Kathryn Mullan#FIHOlympicQualifiers | @irishhockey | #IrelandHockey pic.twitter.com/pIb9dpOrYQ
— The DragFlick™ (@thedragflick) November 3, 2019
Ireland advanced to the qualifier by virtue of its silver-medal performance in June at the FIH Hockey Series Finals in Banbridge, Ireland.
☸️FIH Olympic Qualifier | #IRLvsCAN
"This is years and years of hard-work, that has paid-off." Irish Goalkeeper @Ayeeishaa #FIHOlympicQualifiers | @irishhockey @IreWomenHockey | #IrelandHockey pic.twitter.com/gUz5XfJABX
— The DragFlick™ (@thedragflick) November 3, 2019
