Ireland are in the World Cup final.
Our hockey heroes in London have defied the odds to make their first ever World Cup final.
They came through a tight semi-final against Spain which went right down to the wire. They eventually clinched it after sudden death in a penalty shoot-out.
A goal in the first quarter by Anna O’Flanagan had the Irish leading 1-0. The Spanish dominated the second quarter, however Ireland where able to keep them out ensuring that they finished the first half a goal to the good.
@irishhockey Brilliant #FIHGoal at the @Vitality_UK #HWC2018 in London! 👏
IRL v ESP @irishhockey
Watch here 📺 https://t.co/Ng8PUTqYpA pic.twitter.com/nZzOsjaoI6— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) August 4, 2018
Spain started brighter in the second half, and their dominance was rewarded as the equalised with six minutes left in the third quarter.
@aliciamagaz Fantastic #FIHGoal at the @Vitality_UK #HWC2018 in London! 👏
IRL v ESP @AbsolutaFem
Watch here 📺 https://t.co/Ng8PUTqYpA pic.twitter.com/mRaQzBfgzf— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) August 4, 2018
The match ended 1-1 which meant that, yet again, this Irish side had to advance via a penalty shoot-out. It ended two goals each and the penalties went to sudden death, before this effort from Gillian Pinder put Ireland into their first ever Hockey World Cup final.
IRELAND ARE INTO THE #HWC2018 WORLD CUP FINAL!!!!!!! #RTEsport #GreenMachine pic.twitter.com/Iwiaw86kqH
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 4, 2018
