by Field Hockey Canada

Ireland advanced to the 2020 Olympic Games with a dramatic sudden death shootout victory over Team Canada. The two-game series played in front of back-to-back capacity crowds in Dublin was a nail biter from wire to wire. Zero goals through eight quarters of play set up a thrilling shootout to cap off the Olympic Qualifier weekend.

Standout performances by Canada’s Amanda Woodcroft, Dani Hennig and Sara McManus kept the Irish out of the defensive end. Attacking forays led by Brie Stairs, Hannah Haughn and Steph Norlander caused some havoc, and although both teams earned penalty corners, neither team was able to convert.

In the shootout, Canada came out firing with goals from Norlander, A. Woodcroft and a penalty stroke converted by McManus. Then the momentum started to shift towards Ireland. The Irish fought back with a pair of terrific saves by McFerran and two conversions. With the win, Team Ireland becomes the first Irish Women’s National hockey team to qualify for an Olympic Games.

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