Olympic hockey qualifiers: Ireland women produce heroic 0-0 draw to stifle Belgium

An inspired performance from Ayeisha McFerran in goal and a defensive shift to savour from Ireland women ended in a deserved 0-0 draw against Belgium in Valencia to kickstart their bid to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

Ireland kept out 11 penalty corner chances – nine in the opening 15 minutes alone – as McFerran shut down her goal with a 60-minute display where gloves, stick and boot kept the world No.4 barrage at bay and leave the Green Army support on a chilly evening in total raptures. Judging by the forlorn Red Panthers at the final hooter here, this was three points lost.