Ireland off to World Cup ‘18

Seldom will a ridiculous 23-0 result in the Oceania Cup mean so much to those 17,000 kilometres away but Australia’s crushing of Papua New Guinea proved the outcome that confirmed the Irish women’s team will go to the 2018 World Cup.

Ireland’s seventh-place finish in the World League in July was heavily celebrated at the time with anticipation that it would be enough for a ticket to London.

It placed the green army third on a waiting list for the elite competition with the outcomes of the continental championships ultimately deciding their fate.