Torrans on target as women’s hockey team make perfect start against South Africa

Daire Walsh

Knocklyon native Sarah Torrans was amongst the goals at Oi Hockey Stadium earlier today as the Ireland women’s hockey team began their Olympics journey with a 2-0 Group A victory at the expense of South Africa.

This was an historic moment for this side as it was the first time that a women’s team had represented Ireland in field hockey at a Summer Games.

One of four players from the Rathfarnham-based Loreto, Torrans doubled the Irish cushion in the third-quarter after Roisin Upton had given Sean Dancer’s charges the lead in the opening half.

Her club-mates Nicci Daly, Hannah Matthews and Liz Murphy are included amongst the national squad in Tokyo and following their magnificent voyage to the World Cup finals in 2018, expectations are quite high for Ireland in the Japanese capital.

This was the ideal start to the competition, but with the Netherlands – who previously earned gold at the 1984, 2008 and 2012 Olympics awaiting them on Tuesday, the battle for the four available quarter-final spots is set to intensify.

Rather than slowly building their way into the contest, Ireland looked to force early pressure on the South African defence.

It worked a treat for the Olympic debutants as their first penalty corner of the proceedings produced a breakthrough goal.

With just nine minutes gone on the clock, Limerick woman Upton expertly fired to the corner of the net with clinical precision.

Ireland were close to increasing their advantage before the half-time interval, but the vastly-experienced Naomi Carroll was denied by the woodwork.

While Ireland seemed well in control of their own destiny, there was a sense that a second goal was needed in order to completely stave off the South African challenge.

However, their insurance score finally arrived on 45 minutes when Torrans was on hand to bat home beyond the reach of Phumelela Mband.

Monkstown’s Chloe Watkins was close to adding a third, but even though Ireland could have come away with a more comprehensive triumph, they will be more than satisfied with their day’s work.