IRELAND have continued their record-breaking run at the Women’s Hockey World Cup by beating Spain to reach the final.
It is only Ireland’s fourth appearance at the tournament and their first since 2002.
On their three previous appearances – 1984, 1996 and 2002 – they failed to progress from the group stage, finishing bottom each time.
The team celebrate their win (Images: Christopher Lee / Getty)However they have defied expectations to move within one win of glory, with the final taking place tomorrow at 4.30pm at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar tweeted after the win, saying the team were ‘an inspiration to the country’.
Keeper Ayeisha McFerran is hoisted aloft after the victory (Image: Christopher Lee / Getty)Meanwhile Michael D Higgins praised the team, saying: “As President of Ireland I wish to congratulate the Irish women’s hockey team and to thank them, on behalf of the people of Ireland, for their incredible achievements in the World Cup.
“The players, coach and support staff have overcome great difficulties, on and off the pitch, and have demonstrated what team spirit, skill and dedication can accomplish.
“We are all looking forward to a historic match on Sunday.”
An emotional Elena Tice after the historic win (Image: Christopher Lee / Getty)As with the quarter-final against India, the semi-final went to a shootout.
Anna O’Flanagan’s defected penalty corner goal in the third minute had given Ireland the lead but Alicia Magaz equalised for Spain in the third quarter.
Gillian Pinder and Chloe Watkins scored for Ireland in the shootout, with Spain also converting two of their five penalties, including the last, to send the game to sudden death.
Scorer Anna O'Flanagan (Image: Christopher Lee / Getty)With the order reversed for sudden death, Georgina Oliva stepped up first only to see her effort stopped by Ayeisha McFerran.
Pinder then converted to seal the win and spark wild celebrations as Ireland – the second-lowest ranked team ahead of the tournament – defied the odds to book their place in the final.
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With a nation – and an army of neutrals – ready to cheer on Ireland in tomorrow’s final against either the Netherlands or Australia, the congratulations flooded in for Graham Shaw’s side.
Amazing result -the #GreenArmy are an inspiration to the country @IreWomenHockey https://t.co/7Z7KGQLCQc
— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) August 4, 2018
Ireland’s first ever World Cup final in any sport!! This is unreal. #GreenArmy #HWC2018 - amazing @irishhockey
— Sen. Neale Richmond (@nealerichmond) August 4, 2018
Well done To the Irish Hockey team. No matter what happens they are fantastic. Come on Ireland
— Pat Shortt (@Pat_Shortt) August 4, 2018
Brilliant! Women in Hockey World Cup Final! Iontach
— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) August 4, 2018
Jesus! Ireland in a World Cup Final!
Extraordinary to watch!!!!!!!! #HWC2018 🇮🇪— Dr Elaine Byrne (@ElaineByrne) August 4, 2018
Holy shit! We’re the Croatia of World Hockey!! Absolutely amazing stuff from Ireland. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
— PJ Gallagher (@pjgallagher) August 4, 2018
England reached a World Cup semi-final. Big f*cking deal.
Come back to us when you've got a ladies hockey World Cup f*cking final.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 4, 2018
Congratulations Ireland 🇮🇪 Such courage. ....Now...In the World Cup Final !!! Unbelievable ....Brilliant , Awesome and So Proud ! Incredible Ireland Women’s Hockey Team !! # Heroes
— Marty Morrissey (@MartyM_RTE) August 4, 2018
Congratulations @IreWomenHockey #GreenArmy!!! 🇮🇪Through to the 🏑World Cup #HWC2018. Amazing result #COYGIG.
— Embassy of Ireland (@IrelandEmbGB) August 4, 2018
I know very little (nothing!) about Hockey but watched Ireland V Spain. Amazing performance win. IRELAND IN A WORLD CUP FINAL! Of course we'll all be experts on the game and its rules by Monday! "C'mon the girls in green" Comhgairdeas. I feel a civic reception coming on!
— Lord Mayor of Dublin (@LordMayorDublin) August 4, 2018
Relieved manager Graham Shaw (Images: Christopher Lee / Getty)
Nicola Evans and Anna O'Flanagan celebrate (Image: Christopher Lee / Getty)
Nicola Evans of Ireland and Kathryn Mullan (Image: Christopher Lee / Getty)