Ireland are through to the World Cup final.
When was the last time anyone’s said that?
The Ireland women’s hockey team secured their place in the World Cup final on Saturday evening. The Girls in Green defeated Spain via penalty shootout after the game finished 1-1 after normal time. It is the first time they reached the final two of a World Cup and understandably, the country is absolutely buzzing.
Celebrate good times… COME ON! https://t.co/cJDy6hJ9mk
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 4, 2018
Of course, the tributes and celebrations came flooding in on social media after the final whistle sounded.
Some of the country’s top sporting icons and legends offered their appreciation for the hockey heroes on social media. Former Republic of Ireland international and Manchester United player Paul McGrath, Mayo intercounty footballer and former Ireland and Ulster rugby star Tommy Bowe were among those celebrating the momentous occasion.
Well done Girls 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪 #incrediable #proud #worldcup #hockey https://t.co/bhdWp5RdcC
— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) August 4, 2018
What a story!!! Unreal! https://t.co/tDjnfeqEeP
— Aidan O'Shea (@AIDOXI) August 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/brendanboyce/status/1025753453413523456
Wow, World Cup final for Ireland 🇮🇪 Hockey team. Remarkable achievement by a seriously talented group of people. Disgraceful that full funding was not awarded to this group. Mr Ross should hang his head in shame & not for the first time either.
— Killeavy13 (@StevenMcD13) August 4, 2018
What a game, what a penalty shootout @IreWomenHockey @RTEsport one of those moments you never forget where you were @irishhockey well done and best of luck for the final ☘️☘️☘️🇮🇪 @FIH_Hockey #worldcupfinal #Ireland
— sonia osullivan (@soniaagrith) August 4, 2018
Never thought I’d be saying this, but that hockey was exciting! Serious achievement by the Irish ladies Hockey team. 🏑🏑
— Brian Farrell (@Farlo84) August 4, 2018
Fair play to the hockey girls…some achievement…plenty of support in the cronin household pic.twitter.com/7dCy1YE70A
— Sean Cronin (@SeanCronin2) August 4, 2018
YESSSSSSSSS SO SO SO INCREDIBLE ☘️☘️☘️☘️ https://t.co/2UVgMrPUTk
— Derval O'Rourke (@DervalORourke) August 4, 2018
Woohoo!!!! #GreenArmy
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏What absolute champions of Irish sport! So calm under pressure!
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) August 4, 2018
Incredible stuff from the @irishhockey ladies! World cup final 😮👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/o843rOpdOu
— Tommy Bowe (@TommyBowe) August 4, 2018
Don’t think people actually realise how big of achievement this is. A WORLD CUP FINAL unbelievable Jeff !!!!
— Conor.mortimer ⚽️ (@Conmort) August 4, 2018
Congratulations @SharpieG @AnnaOF and all the @irishhockey squad. Incredible achievement🏑 https://t.co/BCpMLxjjM7
— Bernard Jackman (@bernardjackman) August 4, 2018
Incredible bottle shown by the @IreWomenHockey team. I’ve seen first hand the sacrifices they make for their sport and the incredible hard work they put in #hockeyworldcup2018 @nikkilevans @AnnaOF 👏☘️
— John Cooney (@JCooney09) August 4, 2018
The final takes place at 4:30 pm in London on Sunday 5 August. Ireland play the winners of the other semi-final between the Netherlands and Australia.
RTE will continue their coverage of the tournament from 4:05 pm tomorrow.
