Ireland women’s hockey coach insists squad in ‘good shape’ for Olympic qualification clash with Great Britain
Ireland take on Great Britian at Campo de Hockey Hierba Tarongers in Valencia, Spain on Saturday
Hockey history has not been kind to Ireland women over the last decade when it comes to playing Great Britain, the world best-funded team.
As they prepare to face the might of the world’s best-funded team on Saturday (2.30pm Irish time), Ireland have lost their last six meetings against England, while as a Great Britain team - all but four here playing as GB are English - they hold a three-game winning streak against the Green Army.
Ireland lost to Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics in the Green Army’s first Olympic campaign and were defeated over two matches at the 2004 Olympic qualifying tournament. It was also the last time a Great Britain side failed to qualify for the Olympics.
While Great Britain have dipped considerably in front of goal since winning gold in Rio (four players also remain from that squad), they do still possess a certain aura in big games.
“One of the really good things that we're doing is we're just facing every moment that's in front of us and so we'll certainly be ready for that,” said Ireland coach Sean Dancer.
Ireland have also shown to be a consistent and threatening side over their four matches thanks to their own cohesive style of play, while Dancer has set high goals over the last year.
“We're here to get a medal and we're in good shape. I think it's the first time we're really pushing hard for that medal," he added.
With Ireland dominating hosts Spain for large swathes in Thursday’s semi-final, one could have been forgiven for marking the Olympic schedule in the diary.
That was before Spain negated Ayeisha McFerran’s own shoot-out aura and captain Maria Lopez’s bold lob to secure Paris qualification.
“We certainly felt we did really well in the game and dominated large parts of it,” said Dancer.
“Unfortunately we just weren't able to finish them off and when it goes to a shoot-out it's a cruel world as we know, so unfortunately we came out on the wrong side of it.”
Once again, Ireland will be buoyed on by standout support here - and will likely have the Spanish on their side after both host nations’ success.
“I think it's really special when you get an opportunity to play against a home team in a major event,” said the Australian.
“We have relished in the conditions of playing in front of a big crowd and certainly we could either be Irish just as much as the Spanish.”
Meanwhile, captain Katie Mullan, who has been a constant presence with her attacking forays, says that her defence is ready to put one final shift in to thwart any GB threats.
“We take so much pride in our circle and defending it. We know if we bring the level of hockey that we can, we'll have another good day and we'll perform out here on this pitch.”
In their semi-final on Thursday, GB held the upper hand in the first half over Belgium, the World No.4 and top-ranked side here, before losing 3-2 in a riveting encounter.
Tess Howard, Great Britain’s 25-year-old forward, said: “We know what we are going to do against Ireland, we know what we have in the locker and nothing but true grit and determination will get us to the Olympics.
“Against Ireland we just have to play how we did against Belgium and we will be absolutely fine.”
