The Irish women's hockey team qualified for next year's Olympics in Tokyo after a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout win against Canada in Donnybrook on Sunday evening.
In what was a busy day of sport for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar - he was also at the Dublin SFC final between Ballyboden and Thomas Davis - he was too among the 6,137 in attendance at Energia Park.
"I have to say that it was amazing," Varadkar told RTÉ after the game.
"I haven't seen a hockey game since my sister was playing for Mount Sackville about 20 years ago. It's actually a great spectator sport, so I'll definitely be coming again.
"It's just a huge achievement. I may be wrong but I think it's the first time we've qualified a women's team for the Olympics. It's really special from that point of view."
Amazing game. Hockey is a great spectator sport. History made. First Ireland ladies team to qualify for the Olympics. Well done. #Tokyo2020
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) November 3, 2019
"I hate to be political but government has been putting a lot of investment into women's sport in recent years," he added.
"It is paying off and we are going to continue that and this year give 100 per cent support for Toyko."
Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
