THE Irish women’s hockey team has made history after reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup in London.
The team had already exceeded expectations, having never before made it to the quarter-finals.
The team celebrates at the Olympic Park (Image: Kate McShane / Getty)The Green Army are making their first appearance at the tournament since 2002, and only their fourth overall.
However they will now vie with Spain for a place in the final after a 3-1 shootout win over India.
WORLD CUP SEMI FINALISTS!!! There are no words 💚💚💚 pic.twitter.com/fCJJWubvQ3
— Green Army (@IreWomenHockey) 2 August 2018
Round 5: Watkins scores, it's all over!!!! No words, we're going to the semi finals of the World Cup!!!!!!! #GreenArmy #HWC2018 pic.twitter.com/3ewvr5PMXo
— Irish Hockey (@irishhockey) August 2, 2018
After the quarter-final tie finished 0-0, neither team scored in the opening two rounds of the shootout, with Ireland keeper Ayeisha McFerran in superb form.
Roisin Upton and Ali Meeke then put Ireland 2-0 up and despite India pulling gone back, Chloe Watkins sealed victory for Ireland.
Chloe Watkins celebrates her winner (Image: Kate McShane / Getty)Attention now turns to Saturday's semi-final against Spain, who finished third in their group, while Ireland topped their section.
In the meantime, praise has been flooding in for the Green Army following their historic victory in the English capital.
A heartstopping finish for an incredible result! Congratulations @IreWomenHockey on reaching an historic World Cup semi-final. The #GreenArmy marches on. #HWC2018 pic.twitter.com/BFgAzEU0SX
— Embassy of Ireland (@IrelandEmbGB) August 2, 2018
Every second or point of a second counts!!! Congratulations @IreWomenHockey @irishhockey @LizzieColvin1 #COYGIG #HWC2018 #SemiFinal pic.twitter.com/ShREqZ3Fyr
— Rory Best (@RoryBest2) August 2, 2018
Yay! Well done the Irish women’s Hockey team! https://t.co/3IUnggQQCB
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) August 2, 2018
Congratulations to the Irish Women's Hockey Team! They are in the semi-finals in the Wurrild Cup! For the first time ever!
— Marian Keyes (@MarianKeyes) August 2, 2018
Fantastic win by Ireland in nail biting encounter! Congrats to all involved and onwards now to the semifinal.#HWC2018
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) August 2, 2018
Well done Irish womans hockey team. Beirigí bua. Ar aghaigh libh.
— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) August 2, 2018
Congratulations Ireland Women’s Hockey team @IreWomenHockey beat India to advance to the semi-final of the #HWC2018 #FANTASTIC #COYGIG pic.twitter.com/OMIiUfc7LR
— Gavin Duffy (@GavinDuffy) August 2, 2018
Well done to #Ireland Amazing stuff. #hockeyworldcup2018
— Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (@lukeming) August 2, 2018
Huge well done to the Irish hockey team & our local girl captain Katie Mullan on reaching the World Cup semi finals!! https://t.co/722aakGezE
— Dr Caoimhe Archibald (@CArchibald_SF) August 2, 2018
THIS .. @IreWomenHockey into the SEMI-FINAL of the Vitality #HWC2018 @irishhockey pic.twitter.com/Pdi4J0t2bO
— FIH (@FIH_Hockey) August 2, 2018
The other semi-final will be a replay of the 2014 final between the Netherlands and Australia.
Holders the Netherlands defeated hosts England in Thursday’s other quarter-final.
Nicola Davy proudly waves the Irish flag (Image: Christopher Lee/ Getty)