Key win for Irish women's hockey team

The Irish Women's Hockey team secured a vital win over hosts Italy (2-1) at the World Cup Qualifying tournament in Rome this afternoon (3pm Irish time).

An Irish win looked a distant possibility with just over 20 minutes to go as Italy took the lead, but the Irish women hit back with an equaliser from Limerick's Eimear Cregan 10 minutes later, and Kilkenny's Catriona Carey scored an amazing winner for Ireland with a mere 12 seconds left on the clock.

Ireland have one pool game left against Azerbaijan tomorrow at 2.45pm Irish time, but with this win under their belt and a draw tomorrow, regardless of all other results, they are guaranteed to finish at least fourth in pool B, securing them a place in the play-offs for the final qualifying spot.

The win leaves Ireland third in pool B on six points, ahead of New Zealand in fourth.

USA are on top with 10 points, Korea second on seven, but both Korea and New Zealand have a game in hand; against each other later this evening.