Start planning your day around this – Ireland’s women’s hockey team are coming home.
Ireland’s new wave of women’s hockey fans will get to celebrate the magnificent achievements of the team with a homecoming ceremony in Dublin on Monday afternoon.
The team, which fell to a 6-0 defeat to the Netherlands in Sunday’s World Cup Final in London, will arrive into Dublin Airport between 12.30pm and 12.45pm.
The World Cup silver medallists will then attend a special event hosted by Dublin’s Lord Mayor Nial Ring and Dublin City Council at 3pm on Dame Street in the centre of the city.
Dublin City Council have stressed that the day will be a family-friendly affair and have asked people to use public transport where possible.
Dame Street and its surrounding areas will be closed from 10am.
Ireland’s achievements in London were remarkable, given the fact that Graham Shaw’s team were the second lowest ranked team going into the tournament.
They beat the USA, India (twice) and Spain to reach the final on Sunday, but were ultimately overwhelmed by a strong Dutch side.
“I’m very proud, though obviously a little disappointed, but I don’t want to take away from what these girls have achieved,” Head Coach Shaw told RTÉ after the game.
“It’s remarkable, truly astonishing.
“To come in here ranked where they are and to get to a final of a World Cup… to have a silver medal around my neck is what dreams are made of.”
