Ireland defeat England to reach semi-finals of World Deaf Futsal Championship

WHO PUT THE BALL IN THE ENGLISH NET: History made in Italy as Irish Deaf Women reach world semis with a win over England. Pic: Deaf Sports Ireland.

Ireland are through to the semi-finals of the World Deaf Futsal Championship after they defeated England 6-3 in Italy on Sunday afternoon.

A stunning quartet of finishes from Laura McGuinn, along with goals from Natalie O'Brien and Catherine Grier sealed Ireland's place in the last four.

But they were forced to do it the hard way as England raced into an early two-goal lead. McGuinn got her first goal of the game to get her side back into the contest in the 10th minute before former Cork City defender Natalie O'Brien levelled terms just before the half-time break.

McGuinn completed her hat-trick at the beginning of the second period with two excellent strikes to give the Girls in Green a lead that they would not relinquish.

The English battled until the very end and although they would pull a goal back, Grier grabbed Ireland's fifth before McGuinn netted her fourth and her side's sixth to seal a historic victory.