Ireland 1 Czech Republic 0
Ireland are within touching distance of securing their place in the top flight of the 2023 European Championships after beating the Czech Republic 1-0 in Abbotstown on Saturday afternoon, the result leaving them needing - at most - just a draw against Turkey on Sunday to qualify.
They did, though, make heavy weather of a game in which they had the bulk of the possession. The Czechs, now coached by Ireland’s former assistant Gareth Grundie, managed to frustrate them with a well organised defence that gave up few clear openings.
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What proved to be the winning goal came in the 21st minute when captain Katie Mullan’s reverse strike deflected off the foot of Anna Kolarova and past Barbora Cechakova.
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Earlier in the day, Poland, who Ireland beat 3-0 on Thursday, moved to second in the table after their 2-0 win over Turkey. If Poland fail to beat the Czechs on Sunday morning Ireland will have qualified for the 2023 Europeans regardless of the outcome of their game against Turkey, a team they have only once previously played - and they won that encounter 13-0 back in 2015.
Ireland: A McFerran, S McAuley, M Carey, R Upton, S Hawkshaw, K Mullan (capt), L Tice, N Carroll, C Perdue, D Duke, C Hamill. Subs: E Murphy, H McLoughlin, N Carey, S Torrans, C Beggs, K McKee, E Curran, C Hamill.
Poland: B Cechakova, K Lacina (capt), L Duchova, V Pribikova, K Topinkova, T Mejzlikova, V Novakova, A Lehovcova, A Kolarova, N Babicka, E Merxbauerova. Subs: R Mrazova, K Basova, M Smidova, A Koziskova, A Vorlova, N Tlamsova, N Novakova.
EuroHockey Championships qualifying tournament (at Abbotstown) - Saturday: Poland 2, Turkey 0; Ireland 1 (K Mullan), Czech Republic 0.
Sunday: Poland v Czech Republic, 10.45am; Ireland v Turkey, 1pm
