Our silver belles
Fans salute world cup stars as Ross unveils €1.5m in extra funds
THOUSANDS gathered to give the Irish women’s hockey team a hero’s welcome home yesterday.
Friends and family packed into Dublin Airport to greet the girls who defied the odds to reach their first world cup final.
And the stars also netted another boost as Sports Minister Shane Ross announced an extra €1.5million in funding to mark their “extraordinary achievement”.
He told the team the money will be used for preparations for the Olympics and world championships.
But that wasn’t the end of the celebrations as the players thanked huge crowds at Dublin’s Dame Street.
Midfielder Shirley Mccay, 30, said: “We’re not used to these emotions and we’re on a real high.”
Proud mum Carmel Daly praised her daughter Nicci and her teammates on their hard work and dedication. She said: “I flew two of my kids in from the Cayman Islands just for the final.
“I don’t think we’ve quite grasped what’s happened in Ireland. Everything was all about the hockey over the weekend and nobody knew about it before.
“I think it’s brilliant for women’s sport too because it’s so difficult to get it on the map.”
Gordon Watkins, dad of Chloe Watkins, 26, was beaming with pride as his daughter not only played a part in the success of the team, but also received her 200th cap for Ireland.
He said: “It’s been a long journey for them since not making the Olympics in Rio but it’s been a tremendous achievement and it’s great to see them get a silver medal for their hard work.
“The final was amazing, I never thought I’d see an Irish team in a World Cup final.
“Chloe is a very focused and disciplined individual but she’s not the only one – they all are.
Midfielder Mccay spoke fondly of the tournament and praised Holland for being “absolute machines” on the field following their 6-0 victory to be crowned champions.
She said: “The semi-final against Spain was our real final. We knew it was going to be harder to win a bronze
We’re not used to these emotions & we’re on a real high PLAYER SHIRLEY MCCAY DUBLIN YESTERDAY
medal than a gold or silver so we put everything into that game.
She added: “We’ve got huge numbers of boys and girls playing at grassroots level around the country.
“It’s just about nurturing that talent and helping them succeed on the big stage. We just want people to pick up the hockey stick and get involved.”
Irish Hockey President Martin Canniffe said never in his wildest dreams did he expect Ireland to go so far.
He added: “I expected them to do well in the group but qualifying and playing against the world No1 in the final was incredible. I want to see Irish hockey grow but we need funding, which is the main problem.” Fine Gael Senator Frank Feighan has called on officials to look at the possibility of sending the Irish side to the Commonwealth Games in 2022. He said: “We salute every player, management and all those involved in their wonderful journey to the world cup final in London. “I believe there is a golden opportunity now for this team which has touched the hearts of everybody on the island of Ireland to compete in the next Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Birmingham in 2022.”
IT was fantastic to see thousands gathered in Dublin to welcome Ireland’s women’s team home following their success at the Hockey World Cup.
The heroic squad, who lifted the nation with their brillant displays, were given a richly-deserved civic reception at City Hall.
They won silver after their 6-0 defeat to the Netherlands on Sunday through grit, determination, skill and spirit – despite being the second-lowest ranked team.
It was one of the finest achievements in the history of Irish sport and the team have left a lasting legacy for the future of hockey.