Irish victory closes out second FIH Hockey Pro League stage with a bang

FIH Hockey game between Australia and Ireland at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre on Sunday 15th February 2026. Pic: Linda Higginson / World Sport pics

The Ireland Women’s Hockey team picked up a historic first FIH Hockey Pro League victory over Australia in Hobart to close out their second stage of the competition. 

Having gone a goal behind, Ireland fought back to record a comprehensive win, with Ellen Curran, Katie Mullan, Sarah Hawkshaw and Hannah McLoughlin all on the scoresheet.

A less-than-ideal start for Ireland saw Australia take an early lead in Hobart, squeezing the ball into the net from a tight angle to open the scoring. 

Ireland grew into the game and worked the ball forward to Sarah Torrans, who just couldn’t make clean contact on a first-time effort at goal, much to the relief of Australia.

Quick thinking from Ireland won them a penalty corner, which Caoimhe Perdue flicked at goal, but her effort was saved on the line. 

Ireland ended the opening quarter by testing Newman once more, but she was alive to Christina Hamill’s close-range effort and Australia held onto their one-goal lead.

Ireland carried their positive play into the second quarter with a perfect interchange out of the back, ending in Sarah Torrans deflecting the ball onto an Australian foot inside the circle for a penalty corner. 

Hannah McLoughlin’s slap on goal took a deflection from Ellen Curran to find the back of the net and level the scoring.

Two green cards in quick succession for Australia gave Ireland an opportunity to try and make use of their extra outfield players, which they used to find Sarah Hawkshaw free on the baseline who pulled the ball back to Katie Mullan to touch into the net.

Ireland carried their momentum into the early phases of the second half, winning a penalty corner. They opted for another penalty corner, going back to injector Sarah Torrans who delivered the ball to Sarah Hawkshaw on a plan to tap in.

Ireland had to weather a late period of pressure from the Hockeyroos, with Elizabeth Murphy required in the Irish net, and a second effort from Australia going wide of the post just a few minutes later, but Ireland held out to maintain their lead.

Ireland still looked the livelier as Jessica McMaster broke quickly up the pitch, found an inch of space in the circle and fired across goal. The deflection fell to Niamh Carey who was denied by a good save from Zoe Newman.

A rare penalty corner for Australia offered them a lifeline. The Hockeyroos thought they had pulled a goal back after scoring from the penalty corner, but Ireland used their video referral, and the goal was overturned for a foot in the build-up.

A penalty corner for a cynical tackle on Michelle Carey with five minutes remaining gave Ireland a chance to grab a fourth and seal the game, which they gladly took as Hannah McLoughlin slapped into the back of the net.