Catholic Institute duo help Ireland claim precious draw in Olympic qualifier

CATHOLIC Institute players Roisin Upton and Naomi Carroll played crucial roles as the Ireland women's hockey team opened their Olympic qualifiers with a precious 0-0 draw with world number four ranked side Belgium in Valencia, Spain on Saturday evening.

World-ranked 13 side Ireland repelled the best 2023 European Silver medallists Belgium could throw at them, led superbly by the likes of Limerick woman Upton, along with Lena Neill, Hannah McLoughlin and goalkeeper and player of the match Ayeisha McFerren.

Ireland now face Ukraine in another qualifier fixture on tomorrow, Monday, at 12 noon before turning their thoughts to world ranked number 12 side Korea on Tuesday at 6:15 pm.

Twenty nine-year-old Upton has now won 110 caps to date, since winning her first cap against Scotland in November 2016.

The talented Limerick woman was a key member of the Ireland team which won a silver medal at the 2018 Hockey World Cup in London.

A former student of An Mhodh Scoil and Crescent College Comprehensive, Upton also played ladies Gaelic football with Mungret-St Paul's and soccer with Janesboro. Upton, a qualified teacher, helped her US college side, the UConn Huskies to two NCAA titles – in 2013 and 2014.

Cratloe native O'Carroll has represented her country on 140 occasions, winning her first cap in 2012 against Wales. Carroll has the quirk of playing for both Clare and Limerick.

As Cratloe had no girls teams, she played camogie for Na Piarsaigh and earned a call-up to the Limerick county side as a result, playing alongside Roisin Upton at times.

She also won the 2013 Munster Ladies Senior Club Football Championship with Clare and played in the 2010 All-Ireland minor camogie final. Hockey came later in her sporting life, taking up the game at the age of 14.

Eight nations from all over the world have reached this qualification tournament in Spain where the prize on offer is qualification for the Summer Olympic Hockey Tournament in Paris.

There are only 3 qualification places available from this tournament so it is essential Ireland finish second at least in the pool and preferably win their semi-final to ensure a spot in Paris next summer.

A place could still be secured by the losing semi-finalists were they to win the third place play-off.

IRELAND:  Ayeisha Mc Ferren, Bethany Harper, Elena Neill, Hannah McLoughlin, Katie McKee, Sarah Hawkshaw, Charlotte Beggs, Katie Mullan (c), Deirdre Duke, Naomi Carroll. Subs Used: Niamh Carey (3 mins), Chloe Watkins (3 mins), Sarah McAuley (4 mins), Michelle Carey (7 mins),  Sarah Torrans (7 mins), Róisín Upton (7 mins)

BELGIUM: Aisling D’Hooghe, Justine Rasir, Alix Gerniers, Judith Vandermeiren, Emma Puvrez, Louise Versavel, Vanessa Blockmans, Michelle Struijk, Héléne Brasseur, Stephanie Vandenborre, Charlotte Engelbert, Subs Used: Elodie Picard (GK) [31 mins], Ambre Ballenghen (3 mins), Barbara Nelen, Camille Belis (4 mins), Lien Hillewaart (5 mins). Abi Raye (5 mins)