Ireland women's World Cup run ends in success over South Africa as twin sisters combine for winner
Ireland women’s FIH Hockey World Cup campaign finished in single-goal success over South Africa and a 13th-place ranking spot.
The Amstelveen clash featured Michelle Carey on target in the first quarter off a pass by twin sister Niamh.
“It was really really important for us as a team,” said Niamh Carey after Ireland women’s win. “We didn’t finish necessarily where we wanted to in this World Cup and we had a few ups and downs throughout.
"So ending on a win is definitely really important for us as a team going forward.
"Ranking points-wise, it’s also important for us as well.
“It’s great (playing with my twin sister Michelle), I know she always wants to pass to me, so it’s great.
"I always play on the side that she is on...when we connect to score a goal it is really special.”
As a result of Carey’s match-winning moment, Ireland will enter next year’s EuroHockey Championships in the bottom-six seed section so must play two preliminary pool stage fixtures towards semi-final qualification.
Ireland men meet New Zealand on Friday afternoon to determine a final FIH Hockey World Cup ranking spot of ninth or 10th.
“It’s brilliant,” said Ireland’s Jeremy Duncan after a 2-1 loss to France during the pool leaders’ highest-ever World Cup finish. “One of our goals at the start of the tournament if we didn’t get into the top eight was to be in that ninth/10th play-off.
"We are delighted to be in that game.
"We are ninth in the world at the moment and we want to finish at that ranking.”