Hockey: Ireland beat England in shootout to grab first points in debut Pro League season

Elizabeth Murphy (GK) of Ireland celebrates with Mikayla Power and Charlotte Beggs Pic: Frank Uijlenbroek, Worldsportpics

Ireland's women gave a sold-out crowd in the Sport Ireland Campus a day to cherish as they secured their first points of their FIH Hockey Pro League debut season against England. 

Despite Ireland being on top, nothing could separate the sides at full time, with Sarah Torrans' quarter-two goal for Ireland cancelled out by Elena Rayer's strike. But Ireland triumphed in the shootout, with Hannah McLoughlin scoring and Elizabeth Murphy making the definitive save in sudden death.

Ireland set out their stall early, pressing England with intensity and winning the ball high up the field. Ireland won a penalty corner from their pressure early on, but the effort from Roisín Upton was well defended. Ireland flashed a number of balls into the English circle but couldn’t get the touch needed to deflect goalward.

A rare opportunity for England ended in a penalty stroke for a stick tackle inside the circle, but Ireland goalkeeper Elizabeth Murphy dived well to her left to make the save.

Ireland eventually got the goal they deserved, Mikayla Power pulling the ball back on the baseline to Sarah Torrans who still had work to do to direct the ball into the English net.

England, however, bit back, drawing level six minutes into the second half from open play through Rayer.

Despite chances at both ends, neither side could get the goal to secure the win, forcing a shootout to determine who would go home with the extra point.

After the opening five, the sides were locked at 3-3, with Elizabeth Murphy pulling off two exceptional saves. Hannah McLoughlin did superbly with her effort in sudden death to make it advantage Ireland. And Murphy was then on hand to deny England’s Sophie Hamilton and secure the win for Ireland to secure their first points in their debut FIH Hockey Pro League Season.