This sets up a very important Saturday date with Belarus in the women’s hockey semi-finals. 

A chanceless first half was contrasted by a big second half in which corner goals from Upton and McLoughlin. They settled the nerves before a flurry of goals saw Zara Malseed and debutante Niamh Carey also on the mark. 

They will now meet Belarus in Saturday’s semi-final (11:00 Irish time) following their hugely impressive 7-1 win over Russia. Ireland needs to win that one and then also succeed in Sunday’s final to assure passage to next summer’s competition. 

Upton said it was crucial to follow the plan despite the first half frustrations and it paid dividends. 

“It’s something we talked about, sticking to the process no matter how long the game went on at 0-0, or even if we concede,” the Limerick woman said afterward.  

“We were really pleased we stuck to the plan and broke through. We knew we needed to win corners; the execution in the first half wasn’t so good so we had to pick it up and nail it. Getting on the scoresheet early in the second half settled everyone.” 

Ireland v France Match Report

The Green Army enjoyed a bright start, winning a couple of penalty corners to no avail. The French keeper Mathilde Petriaux impressed for the world’s number 27 side. 

France also showed intent with Ponthieu playing a part, keeping McFerran on her toes as the first half ended blank. 

After the break, Sean Dancer’s side hit full throttle with Sarah Hawkshaw winning the corner which led to the deadlock being broken, a rocket of a penalty corner in the 32^nd minute. 

McFerran was forced to make a stunning low glove save from Marie Simon’s corner chance. The French upped their intensity having gone behind but Ireland finished out the third quarter better. 

And they got an extra buffer from a corner; Upton’s strike was blocked but McLoughlin picked up the ball and unleashed a shot that took a slight deflection in. 

Malseed got in on the act with another strike for 3-0 as goals suddenly rained in thick and fast. Guusje van Bolhuis got one back a minute later from a French set piece. This respite was brief for her side as Carey swooped to score a rebound from Curran’s initial shot for 4-1. 

And Upton said it was not surprising to see the UCD player get in on the act. 

“It’s no different to what we see every day in training! Her first cap has been a long time coming but she scores goals like that constantly, even in the uncapped games and it is great to have her here.” 

For Carey, herself, it was a super start to her international career, a marked difference from her twin Michelle’s first cap during June’s European Championships. 

“Knowing it was a tournament game, there is that added pressure of it being must-win. It was nice, though, facing a lower-ranked team, unlike [her twin] Michelle’s first cap against Holland [in June], knowing we would have more of the ball and I would get some touches than she would have had!” 

Next up, Ireland (12^th in the world) will meet Belarus (21^st) with a place in Sunday’s final on offer. The Green Army must win both to qualify for the World Cup. 

Ireland v France Teams

Ireland: A McFerran, M Carey, R Upton, K Mullan, L Tice, N Carroll, H McLoughlin, C Watkins, S Hawkshaw, A O’Flanagan, N Carey 

Subs: E Getty, Z Malseed, S Torrans, D Duke, E Curran, S McAuley, L Murphy 

France: M Petriaux, E Ponthieu, J Brachet, M Simon, A Lesgourgues, G van Bolhuis, E Verzura, I Lardeur, A Garot, D Gaspari, T-M Schubert 

Subs: M Lahlah, Y Lhopital, G Verrier, E van der Zanden, N Roque, L Ehrmann

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Kathryn Mullan made her two-hundredth appearance for Ireland but Sean Dancer’s side couldn’t get the win against their European rivals.

After winning their first-ever game at the Olympics against South Africa, the World Cup runners-up endured their first loss in their second-ever game after the Dutch pressure persevered in the fourth quarter.

The Netherlands midfield had a stranglehold on the Irish attack from minute one at Oi Stadium, snuffing out any potential counters and maintaining their dominance.

Felice Albers opened the scoring for the Dutch after a counter of their own exposed holes left in the Irish defence.

Hannah Matthews rushed up to end the counter early but her gamble did not pay off and Albers coolly slotted past goalkeeper Ayeisha McFarren.

The first Dutch goal was expected to open the floodgates but the heroics of McFarren and Elena Tice frustrated the World Champions.

Ireland were the better side at the beginning of the second quarter after Dutch midfielder Laurien Leurink was shown a green card for a foul on Shirley McKay.

Their woman advantage did not last long as Hannah Matthews received the same punishment after bringing an end to a Dutch counter illegally.

The Irish grew tired in the final quarter and the reigning world champions took advantage of this.

Malou Pheninckx pounced on a fortunate ricochet from a penalty to slot a second and kill the tie.

Leurink made amends for her earlier discrepancy when she added the Netherlands’ third of the game before Frederique Matla got the goal she had deserved all game to put some gloss on the scoreline.

Ireland will face Germany in their next game in Pool A of the tournament at 4:15 am on Wednesday, July 28th.

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