IRELAND Women’s Hockey team secured their first win of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup as they defeated New Zealand to get off the mark in Wavre.
Captain Sarah Hawkshaw, Róisín Upton and Katie Mullan were the scorers on the day as Ireland picked up a 3-2 victory.
Aisling Utri beat her opposite player and fed Ellen Curran, who in turn found Niamh Carey free inside the circle. Carey pushed goalward where Braxgata teammate and Ireland skipper Hawkshaw was waiting to deflect into the roof of the net.
New Zealand levelled matters but Ireland’s lead was restored by Upton from the penalty spot, before Mullan touched in an Upton flick from close range to give Ireland a two-goal cushion.
New Zealand grabbed a late consolation goal with a minute left on the clock, but Ireland had done enough by that point to be sure of the win.
Speaking after the game, goalscorer Mullan said: “A World Cup win is not easy to come by. We had an early start this morning and I think we came out of the blocks quite well.
“Ourselves and New Zealand have played each other so many times over the years that it was always going to be a battle.
“I think we showed great resilience and executed our corners again which are really threatening. I am so proud of the girls, it was just unbelievable strength of character.”
The result keeps Ireland’s hopes of a top two finish in Pool C alive, and a win over hosts Belgium on Thursday, 7.30pm Irish time, would potentially be enough to see them progress.