Five uncapped players are set to make their official debuts in the competition as the post-Olympic evolution of the Green Army continues.

Irish Under-21 captain Caoimhe Perdue, Christina Hamill and Síofra O’Brien all starred in the Junior World Cup in April and impressed – alongside Katie McKee and Charlotte Beggs – in recent challenge matches against Scotland and in Japan to claim their place in the line-up.

The side also features five players from the groundbreaking 2018 run to the World Cup final with Katie Mullan reprising her role as captain.

Ayeisha McFerran was named goalkeeper of the tournament in London and they are among the leaders in the group along with Lena Tice, Róisín Upton and Deirdre Duke.

“The team are excited about our progress and the opportunities that lie ahead over the next month, and know that anything is possible at a World Cup,” Dancer said of the selection.

Ireland to play hosts in opening match

Ireland start off on July 2nd against the hosts and current world number one side, the Netherlands, with the 9,500-strong venue already sold out.

Next on the schedule is a July 5th game against tournament debutantes Chile (world rank: 17) before concluding the group stage on July 6th against Germany (world rank: 5).

Top spot in the group advances direct to the quarter-final stage with the second and third place nations, facing an extra game to reach that stage in the crossover playoffs. Fourth in the group will go into the 9th to 16th place playoffs.

Ireland’s initial run of fixtures takes place in Amsterdam and if they can emulate their 2018 run, the semi-final and final will be played in Terrassa, Spain.

4 games this week

The side conclude their preparations for the World Cup at Belfield this week with the SoftCo Series with Ireland taking on Japan four times. The first game is on Saturday, June 18th (4pm) with the subsequent games on Sunday, June 19th (4pm), Wednesday, June 22nd (5pm) and Thursday, June 23rd (7pm).

Ireland Women’s squad

Ireland senior women’s team for the World Cup; July 1st to 17th in Amsterdam, Netherlands and Terrassa, Spain (club, caps):

Ayeisha McFerran (goalkeeper, SV Kampong (NED), 113)

Elizabeth Murphy (goalkeeper, Loreto, 13)

Caoimhe Perdue (UCC, 0)

Charlotte Beggs (Ulster Elks, 0)

Christina Hamill (Loreto, 0)

Deirdre Duke (Old Alex, 154 )

Ellen Curran (Pembroke, 27)

Érin Getty (Queen’s, 11)

Hannah McLoughlin (UCD, 26)

Katie McKee (Pegasus, 0)

Katie Mullan (captain, Ballymoney, 206)

Lena Tice (Old Alex, 122)

Michelle Carey (UCD, 10)

Naomi Carroll (Catholic Institute, 121)

Róisín Upton (vice-captain, Catholic Institute, 89)

Sarah Hawkshaw (Railway Union, 46)

Sarah McAuley (UCD, 9)

Sarah Torrans (Loreto, 33)

Síofra O’Brien (Loreto, 0)

Zara Malseed (Ards, 7)

Group A schedule (all at Wagener Stadium, Amsterdam; times IRISH)

July 2nd: Ireland v Netherlands, 6.30pm

July 5th: Ireland v Chile, 1pm

July 6th: Ireland v Germany, 3.30pm

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The Junior Green Army will make their first appearance in the competition as a result – they had initially finished just outside the qualification places at the 2019 EuroHockey Junior Championships in Valencia, ending seventh when six European spots were on offer.

However, the withdrawal of Australia and New Zealand meant two spots were vacant and Hockey Ireland were granted one after successfully making their case.

Head coach David Passmore says that the invitation offers a huge opportunity for the current crop of U21s.

“We are delighted to take up this place at December’s Junior World Cup,” Passmore said. “Taking part in a global competition of this stature is massive for Ireland and will offer an amazing environment for our young athletes to grow and develop.

“Over the past few years, we have seen the importance of nurturing this age group for the senior team with several players already advancing from the Junior Green Army to play in the Olympic Games.”

Hockey Ireland High Performance Director Adam Grainger said that the organisation contacted the FIH when the opportunity arose to make sure they were being considered for a spot.

Grainger said: “We see the Junior World Cup as a vital tournament and getting six games in such a setting, against high-quality opposition, is exactly what we need as we pursue becoming a fixture among the world’s elite nations.”

While the tournament is under three months away, Ireland do have an extensive training base to work from.

In preparation for the tournament, coach Passmore has named a 25-player panel with the final squad anticipated to be named in late October.

Most of the U21 squad have been training with Sean Dancer’s seniors ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in October.

During the summer, the Junior Green Army followed an extensive high-performance programme, featuring series wins over the Wales senior squad and a GB elite development programme outfit.

They were also highly competitive at a Six Nations tournament in Spain and it gives Passmore confidence they can impress in South Africa in December.

“This summer, the Junior Green Army has worked exceptionally hard in an extensive schedule of fixtures,” Passmore noted. “We feel this puts us in a good position to make an impact at the World Cup and we cannot wait to see what we can do on this stage.”

Group and fixture details will be confirmed in due course.

Ireland U21 Junior World Cup Panel

Gemma Ferguson (GK, Ulster Elks / UUJ)

Ellie McLoughlin (GK, UCD / UCD)

Holly Micklem (GK, Old Alex / UCD)

Charlotte Beggs (Ulster Elks / UUJ)

Nadia Benallal (Beeston, England / Nottingham Trent)

Caoimhe Byrne (UCD / UCD)

Sophia Cole (UCD / UCD)

Amy Elliott (UCD / UCD)

Christina Hamill (Loreto / TU Dublin)

Anna Horan (Catholic Institute / Mary Immaculate College)

Hannah Kelly (Trinity)

Katie Jane Marshall (UCD / UCD)

Sarah MacAuley (UCD / UCD)

Niamh McIvor (Pegasus / Queens)

Lisa Mulcahy (Loreto / UCD)

Siofra Murdoch (Harvard University, USA)

Aisling Murray (Loreto / Trinity College)

Laura Noble (Trinity / Trinity College)

Siofra O’Brien (Loreto / TU Dublin)

Emma Paul (UCD / UCD)

Caoimhe Perdue (Capt, UCC / UCC)

Yasmin Pratt (Loreto / IT Carlow)

Ellen Reid (Loughborough Students / Loughborough University)

Muireann Scanlon (Catholic Institute / UCC)

Caitlin Sherin (Capt, Loreto  / DCU)

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Since making her international debut in 2007, the Drumquin native has gone on to play 316 times, a caps record for both hockey and for female sportswomen in general in Ireland.

A diminutive defender with an eye for a glorious long pass, a teak-tough competitor willing to contest every opponent and situation. Her passion and perseverance stand her out as one of the iconic faces of the Green Army’s rise.

A rise that has brought them from obscurity to the world’s elite levels, a journey culminating in the 2018 World Cup silver medal and a maiden appearance for the Irish women at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Where did McCay come from?

Her beginnings in the sport came at Omagh Academy, picking up the basics of the game in jig-time, breaking into the senior team at the school when she was just 14.

At Omagh Hockey Club, her development was overseen with Anne Buchanan, Iris Nelson, and June Graham crucial figures who became almost ever-present supporters at European Championships.

It helped propel her to new heights on the club front, first with Randalstown and then with Ulster Elks, KHC Dragons in Belgium, Old Alex, and then to Pegasus where she became an EY Champions Trophy winner.

Gene Muller invited her onto the international stage at the age of 18 for a series in Stellenbosch in January 2007. Since then, she has been virtually ever-present, missing just 37 of Ireland’s capped games in 14 and a half years.

Those early days were tough at times with Olympic and World Cup qualifications proving well out of reach.

“In my early career, beating New Zealand in New Zealand [Wellington, 2008] was a special memory. Anytime we could get the better of someone above was a special moment and that was unheard of at the time. Thankfully it became more regular over time but I will never forget that.

“Another eye-opener was playing Argentina in Parana [in 2011] and about 10,000 people must have shown up and gave us an incredible reception. It’s things like that which stay with you, not always the big results but those amazing moments.

During those early years, she hails the likes of Eimear Cregan, Linda Caulfield, Cathy McKean and Bridget Cleland for bringing her under their wing.

She remembers McKean “just telling me how class I was” at some early sessions, adding to “get something like that from such a good player was special” to hear.

Shirley McCay will win her win her 300th cap in the first leg of the Olympic qualifying double-header against Canada this evening – a special landmark on what could be a very special weekend. Watch the game live on @RTE2 from 6.30pm #RTEsport pic.twitter.com/Jxr4DCZnHm

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 2, 2019

The success they deserved

The breakthrough finally arrived with the World League in 2017, fighting back to beat India to earn a place in the 2018 World Cup.

Many thought that would be her last run out in an Irish jersey before the silver medal run changed everything for everyone involved.

“Getting over the Rio disappointment, it kind of felt like there would never be a bigger stage to go out on a high. Then things turned out the way they did, a way no one expected it to. With the silver medal, it gave us a much better ranking and a chance to qualify for the Olympics. I did not want to leave with any regrets for me or the team having come so far.”

That dream was realized in November 2019 with qualification in front of a record crowd at Donnybrook Stadium.

Those fixtures took on an extra significance as they marked her 300th cap while she cites walking out and signing the anthem with her nephew Alex as an extra special moment.

Her efforts in the background went on for an extra year due to the Covid-19 pandemic before eventually coming to fruition in July this year.

The side started off in brilliant fashion, breaking their duck with a historic 2-0 win over South Africa. Ultimately, a vital second win proved elusive and their campaign ended in the group stages.

“We were disappointed in regards to reaching our main target of reaching the quarter-finals. We had the capability of doing it but each team had those same dreams and that it why this is the toughest tournament.

“Sure, the outcome was disappointing but the whole Olympic experience was filled with massive bucket-list moments.”

And then, she realised.

She didn’t need a medal.

She’d already won pic.twitter.com/087yIVUd9i

— Shirley McCay (@shirleymccay) August 8, 2021

What will the hockey star do now?

She dove straight back into camps in her role as an Ulster Hockey Talent Coach and, last weekend, she was part of the coaching staff that saw Ulster win double-gold at the UK Schools Games. And she is thrilled at the prospect of inspiring the next generation on that front.

“Ulster Hockey have been so sympathetic to me and my international career, letting me do bits and pieces in between when I was away. I have been so used to trying to balance playing internationally and the role.

“So I am really looking forward to going all-in, committing to the job and making a difference, helping Ulster’s young talent develop and play to their potential.”

That role leaves her now in a peaceful position to step away from the international stage. She has paid tribute to her network who helped propel her to such spectacular heights.

“I am indebted to a few people who without their support I wouldn’t be where I am today. My friends, family, and loved ones, thanks for putting up with me being grumpy and rarely being around.

“To the coaches, I have had throughout my career, I have learned so much from you all.

“And finally, to every teammate, I have ever had the pleasure of playing with, thanks for putting up with me. It has been an honor.”

"Just 1⃣8⃣ little girls from villages across the island of Ireland, representing Ireland on the biggest stage."

It's been some journey to the #Olympics for @irishhockey& @shirleymccay

More https://t.co/20bCCr73Z9 pic.twitter.com/Pkl8k0Gs6v

— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) August 2, 2021

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It was the second defeat that Jonathan Bell’s side had inflicted on the Polish after a 2-1 win in the teams’ opening match.

Teenager Kevin O’Dea’s brace was what separated the two sides in the end – O’Dea had made his Ireland debut against Poland earlier in the competition.

Ireland’s stunning first half had the host nation chasing after them from the beginning with a penalty corner in the opening minutes causing Poland trouble.

O’Dea scored towards the end of the first quarter after he controlled a pass from Peter McKibbin and slotted home.

Jonny McKee added another before the quarter came to a close who stroked home at the second time of asking.

Ireland continued their trend of missing chances while ahead after the loss to Scotland but it did not come back to haunt them like the semi-final.

Poland came to life in the third quarter and got their first goal through Wojtek Rutkowski, who fired home from their second penalty corner.

Ireland responded well and Shane O’Donoghue scored his fourth of the tournament to further the gap to two once more.

Jacek Kurowski kept his side in contention when he added a second but the Polish were unable to find an elusive third.

Ireland vanquished any lingering doubts about the result among fans with a fourth goal three minutes from time putting the final nail in the Polish coffin.

Ian Stewart’s shot was parried after a nice move from Bell’s attacking side but O’Dea was on hand to score his second of the day on the rebound and secure the bronze medal for the national side.

Ireland’s third-place finish also guarantees the side a 2023 FIH World Cup qualifier spot.

The side will battle it out with seven other European nations in Cardiff in October for a spot at the upcoming World Cup in India.

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Sean Dancer’s Ireland produced a defensive performance with periods of possession that ultimately failed to pull the side over the line and into the Olympic quarter-finals.

India’s constant pressure created many chances for the side three places below Ireland in the world rankings.

Sjoerd Marijne’s team were in desperate need of a big performance after losing their first three games and came into the game off the back of what the coach had dubbed the “worst match” of his side’s Olympic campaign.

His team responded with a strong performance at Oi Stadium in Tokyo, an hour after they were initially scheduled to play Ireland – the game was delayed due to the weather in Japan.

Ireland looked to press high up the field but India found it easy to break and used the wide flanks that Dancer’s side had surrendered via their formation to dominate proceedings early.

10 penalty corners and 13 circle penetrations in the first half underlined the side’s strong start but they missed the clinical touch.

Ireland fought back with a strong start to the second quarter but faded in the final minutes of the half with nothing to show for their time on top.

Penalty corners and a chance from Anna O’Flanagan looked set to be the start of the Irish taking control of the game but were frustrated by the Indian defence.

The Irish defence had a big task moments later with four consecutive Indian penalty corners pinning the Irish into their circle.

India used their video review twice in the third quarter after getting it back because the first play was not able to be reviewed sufficiently, losing it a minute later.

Ireland fought back to end the third quarter after another prolonged period of Indian superiority but the game remained scoreless heading into the final quarter.

The national side failed to follow-up on that spark of attacking hockey and India continued to peg them back.

Ireland had one notable chance – a shot from O’Flanagan was saved by Savita five minutes from time – as India finished the game on a high note with a lifeline goal from Kaur keeping them in the race for the Olympic quarter-finals.

Dancer brought off goalkeeper McFerran for an outfield player in an attempt to grab an equaliser but it was not to be.

Ireland has one more group game with a win needed to reach the quarter-finals but faces a Team Great Britain side that humiliated the Indian side they were beaten by.

India, on the other hand, faces South Africa and now has the momentum heading into their final game.

Ireland currently occupies the final quarter-final spot in Pool A with a better goal difference than their rivals.

Ireland will face Team GB on Saturday, July 31st at 12:45 pm at Oi Stadium in a must-win game.

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Ireland made a dream perfect start in the women’s Olympic hockey team as they beat South Africa at the Oi Stadium.

Róisín Upton’s powerful low drag-flick in the ninth minute meant they held the lead from the outset. The eventually doubled their lead before the end of the third quarter via Sarah Torrans.

Reaction

“You could see the smiles when we walked out,” Torrans said after the win, scoring in what was her first senior ranking tournament game.

“It was just fun; it was a long day waiting to get out on the pitch and it still feels so surreal. To do it with this group of girls is incredible It is just a pity we can’t do it with family and friends but hopefully we are doing them proud. It is nice to get on the score sheet in the first game; it is what an attacker dreams of and hopefully we can bring that into the next few games.

“Netherlands next, the best in the world. It’s always a fun game but we will come out fighting.”

Ireland got off to a fast start with Torrans and Nicci Daly storming down the right flank. Deirdre Duke’s trickery duly earned the first penalty corner of the match which Upton duly whipped into the left corner past the stick of Phumelela Mbande.

After that, it was a case of when rather than if Ireland would score again as they held the vast majority of the play against South Africa, the lowest ranked side in the tournament at number 16.

Three more corner chances came and went in the first half while Naomi Carroll pinged the post with a rasping shot from close range.

The African champions showed their threat in fits and starts with Nomnikelo Veto the danger player.

It was the Green Army who always looked the more likely to push on. Torrans missed out from a great chance created by Katie Mullan’s driving run and diagonal ball into the danger zone. Anna O’Flanagan also stung the pads of the goalkeeper and Sarah Hawkshaw chipped one over.

The insurance goal eventually arrived in the 44^th minute when Loreto team mates Hannah Matthews and Torrans connected. The former provided the pace on the ball into the circle which saw the ball deflected high in the air and Torrans instinctively batted down and into the net.

After that, there were further corner chances which went incomplete but goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran never looked unduly troubled in a composed defensive outing. Matthews was denied a third by Mbande’s brilliant diving stop but Ireland content to win 2-0. 

Ireland next meet the Netherlands on Monday morning (2am Irish time). The Dutch eased to a 5-1 win over India with four second half goals.

Teams

Ireland: A McFerran, C Watkins, S Torrans, R Upton, H McLoughlin, D Duke, K Mullan, S Hawkshaw, L Tice, S McAuley, A O’Flanagan

Subs: H Matthews, N Daly, S McCay, N Carroll, L Holden

South Africa: P Mbande, C Seerane, N Walraven, K Paton, R Johnson, O Zulu, L-M Deetlefs, E Hunter, L du Plessis, Q Bobbs, T Glasby

Subs: E Molikoe, T Mallett, N Veto, C Maddocks, L Mahole

Umpires: E Yamada (JPN), K Hudson (NZL)

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