European Hockey World Cup Qualifier: Ireland women one game away from World Cup as men miss out

Ireland women will play Wales on Sunday for a place in next year's World Cup after a 3-2 win over Belarus sent them into the European Qualifier final.

Niamh Carey scored the winner for the 2018 World Cup finalists after the had surrendered an early two goal lead.

Their male counterparts suffered an agonising defeat by Wales on penalties, ending their hopes of reaching the 2023 men's World Cup in India.

They lost the shootout 2-1 after the match finished in a 1-1 draw.

The men got off to a perfect start courtesy of Michael Robson who squeezed the ball home inside the first minute, but Wales drew level through Joseph Naughalty.

Although Ireland dominated the rest of the contest, Wales held on to force the game to penalties where Sean Murray was the only Irishman to score as the Welsh found the back of the net twice to advance to the World Cup.

Ireland women one game away from 2022 World Cup

Having eased past France in their first game in Pisa, Ireland knew to expect a tougher test against Belarus but found themselves 2-0 up after just four minutes.

Lena Tice gave her side the lead in the opening 60 seconds, firing home from a penalty corner before before Anna O'Flanagan scrambled home to double the advantage three minutes later.

Belarus did not wilt despite a dreadful start and quickly responded through Sviatlana Bahushevich.

Ireland held onto their lead as the game reached the fourth quarter but could not find a way to extend it and were hit with a sucker punch as Darya Belavusava was on hand to bundle home after Belarus applied pressure through multiple penalty corners.

However the Irish would not be denied, as the superb Carey managed to spin and sweep her effort into the net despite falling over under a challenge, to send her side into the final.

"We started off well and scored two goals, then we just chose not to play," said goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran.

"We chose not to do what we agreed we were going to do and that's probably the most disappointing thing.

"We know when we choose to do that and be consistent with it we put in performances. It's not what we planned but a win is a win and it gets us onto the next stage."