Hockey World Cup: Ireland's Ayeisha McFerran ruled out through injury

Ireland will head into the Hockey World Cup without goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran after she was ruled out through injury. McFerran was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the 2018 World Cup, where Ireland finished as silver medallists. Head coach Gareth Grundie has selected a 20-player squad traveling to Wavre, Belgium, and in McFerran’s absence, Lizzy Murphy and Holly Micklem are named, giving them a first chance to represent Ireland in goal at a major tournament. The women, ranked 12th, are drawn in Pool C, starting against Spain on 16 August, then New Zealand on 18 August and Belgium on 20 August. A top-two finish moves them to Pool E, while third or fourth sends them to Pool H. Ireland’s men, ranked 10th, also announced a 20-player squad for their first appearance since 2018.