Ireland picked up a first FIH Hockey Pro League victory over Australia with a 4-1 win in Hobart to close out their second stage of the competition.
It was a shaky start for the Irish women as they conceded early, but responded brilliantly with Roisin Upton named player of the match thanks to a commanding performance in defence.
Ireland would seek an immediate response to that early setback by piling on the pressure but Michelle Carey was denied by Zoe Newman, while Sarah Torrans passed up a good opportunity and Caoimhe Perdue’s close-range effort was stopped on the line.
They continued to press in the second quarter and were eventually rewarded when, from a penalty corner, Ellen Curran deflected Hannah McLoughlin’s slap on goal into the net.
With Australia receiving two green cards, Ireland sought to take advantage and did so when Katie Mullan finished from Sarah Hawkshaw’s pull back to hit the front at the half.
Their momentum carried into the second half and from another penalty corner, Sarah Torrans fed Sarah Hawkshaw to finish and a fourth almost arrived soon after but the crossbar came to the rescue for the hosts.
Australia sought a response with Elizabeth Murphy called into action in the Ireland goal but the two-goal lead remained going into the final period.
With both sides pressing, Australia were denied a lifeline when a video referral saw a goal chalked off for a foot in the build-up and the issue was put beyond doubt as Hannah McLoughlin finished from a penalty corner as Ireland claimed a famous win.
Ireland’s focus will now turn to the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Chile with their opening game against Malaysia on 2 March (18:15 GMT) before facing Japan the following day (18:45) and finishing up against Canada on 5 March (18:15).
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