Inspirational goalkeeper gives Ireland hope
IF the going gets tough tonight, defender Ali Meeke will take a look behind her and look for the inspirational figure of Ayeisha McFerran, Ireland’s in-form goalkeeper.
McFerran, 22, has been a revelation at the Women’s World Cup and will aim to keep India at bay as the Green Army hunts down a barely-believable World Cup semi-final berth.
Despite their slender defeat by England in the final Pool B game, Ulster-born McFerran marked herself out as one of the world’s emerging goalkeepers thanks to an outstanding display to keep the hosts at bay.
Her performance, coupled with the grit of her backline players, prompted England defender Sarah Haycroft to suggest that Ireland are ‘one of the best scramble defence teams out there, they just put their bodies on the line’.
Ireland, though, will be mindful of India’s attacking intent in beating Italy 3-0 on Tuesday but Meeke has no doubt that McFerran’s dynamic form has lifted Graham Shaw’s side ahead of another historic night for Irish hockey.
‘You feel so confident having Ayeisha behind you,’ said the Dubliner.
‘That stern determination is just ingrained in her character. She knows exactly what she wants from her defenders, she gives clear instructions and that makes our task as defenders a whole lot easier.’
The Ireland players have been in relaxed mood but this is still new territory for a team which, until two years ago, was paying €550 each just to take part in a global tournament.
And Meeke, 27, knows that the nation’s amateur status has only spurred her on since Ireland qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 16 years and then quickly surpassed their previous best finish of 11th in 1994 — when the tournament was held in Dublin.
‘We grew up watching those players playing for Ireland. We saw the passion that they played with and we carry that passion with us now,’ said Meeke.
McFerran is not thinking of any tournament accolades, individual or collective, as Ireland attempt to overcome India for the second time in London after their 1-0 group stage win.
‘I’ve grown into the tournament more and more but it’s not about anything at the end of the tournament.
‘It’s about now and what’s going in the games, concentrating on keeping the ball out of our net for the girls and keeping them doing their jobs as well,’ stated McFerran.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s side of the draw opened up invitingly last night after Spain shocked Germany 1-0.
The winners of Ireland’s game will face the Spaniards in the semi-final.