What an achievement. An Irish team not only surviving but thriving on a World stage. From the moment they strode out onto the field to the second Gillian Pinder cooly slotted home her penalty, the Irish women's hockey team performed admirably in London to overcome Spain on penalties and progress to a World Cup Final.
Goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran was once again outstanding, forcing the penalty shoot-out to sudden death. It was then that Pinder produced. Her shock was still evident in her post-match interview: "It feels absolutely unbelievable, I need to pinch myself and check that it is all real. It's unbelievable!"
It was indeed real and a nation celebrated the historic feat.
This is just mind blowing. Ireland in a World Cup final. I haven’t enough superlatives to do this justice. @irishhockey ☘️🇮🇪💚
— Lauren Nic Giolla Phóil (@LaurenGuilfoyle) August 4, 2018
Holy shit! We’re the Croatia of World Hockey!! Absolutely amazing stuff from Ireland. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
— PJ Gallagher (@pjgallagher) August 4, 2018
What legends!! @irishhockey women are in the World Cup final. The steel of Pinder and McFerran and the whole team and coach Graham Shaw. Epic. #HWC2018 #IRLvESP #hockey Ireland in a World Cup final. Wow.
— Caitriona Perry (@CaitrionaPerry) August 4, 2018
Team of the Year. Coach of the year I’ll go with sports personality of the year & moment of the year
— Fiona Coghlan (@CoghlanFiona) August 4, 2018
Unreal from the @irishhockey women. Phenomenal achievement #HockeyWorldCup 🏑
— Lisa Fallon (@lisafallonsport) August 4, 2018
Lads, I have never watched a hockey match in my life and I'm nearly in tears. Amazing. #hwc2018
Just imagine if women's sport in Ireland received the funding it deserved...— Fiona de Londras (@fdelond) August 4, 2018
Round 6: order reversed now for sudden death. Oliva shot saved by McFerran, Pinder scores!!!!! WE ARE GOING TO THE WORLD CUP FINAL!!! I REPEAT, WE ARE GOING TO THE WORLD CUP FINAL!!!! #GreenArmy
— Hockey Ireland (@irishhockey) August 4, 2018
In tears, so proud #COYGIG #HWC2018 #Ireland https://t.co/TxhxEDgpmv
— Dearbhail McDonald (@DearbhailDibs) August 4, 2018
