History-makers – Praise floods in for Irish women’s hockey team as they reach World Cup semi-final
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History-makers – Praise floods in for Irish women’s hockey team as they reach World Cup semi-final

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.

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.

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)