Ryan Bailey reports from the Lee Valley Stadium, London
AYEISHA MCFERRAN HAS been named goalkeeper of the tournament at the Women’s Hockey World Cup, as her heroic performances between the sticks helped Ireland to a silver medal.
The 22-year-old was one of the stars of Ireland’s historic run to the World Cup final, most notably providing stoic resistance in the shootout wins over India and Spain in the quarter and semi-finals.
While McFerran was unable to stop a rampant Netherlands side in this afternoon’s final, eventually conceding six, she was the outstanding performer over the course of the two-week tournament.
The Larne native, who studies in America and truly announced herself on the global stage in London, received a huge ovation from the large swathes of Irish support inside the Lee Valley Stadium as she received her award.
Head coach Graham Shaw was effusive in his praise for McFerran after her phenomenal exploits saw her recognised by the media and other competing nations.
“What a job she has done,” Shaw said. “Won two shootouts for us but it’s not a surprise. I watched her at underage as an 18-year-old and you could tell she had this steel about her, the athleticism.
Huge roar as Ireland’s Ayeisha McFerran wins the goalkeeper of the tournament award! 👏🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/UOqAFjoP8z
— The42.ie (@The42_ie) August 5, 2018
“Her feet move so quick, she’s not the biggest keeper in the world but she is incredibly athletic. If you saw her sprint, you would think she is a sprinter. She is lightning off the mark.”
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