Ireland secured a bonus point in sudden death with a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout success over England in the second game of their FIH Pro League campaign at Abbotstown.
Having already saved a penalty from Darcey Bourne in the 1-1 draw during normal time, Ireland keeper Lizzy Murphy proved the shootout hero, denying Sophie Hamilton and Tessa Howard before thwarting Sophie Hamilton in sudden death.
Ireland had a very poor record against England coming into the game, having lost all of their last 18 encounters against their neighbours. However, they started brightly and forced all the early running.
England keeper Miriam Pritchard was kept busy in the opening half as Ireland threatened, with Mikayla Power and Michelle Carey both going close.
Ireland have taken the lead against England thanks to Sarah Torrans' goal after good work from Mikayla Power
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 11, 2025
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The hosts made the breakthrough on 26 minutes. It came down the right side, with Power using her size and speed to get past the English cover before looking up and finding Sarah Torrens unmarked at the back post to score her 11th goal in an Irish shirt.
Ireland pushed for a second before the break, but as the wind and rain lashed in it made for difficult underfoot conditions, with players also struggling to retain any sort of close control of the ball.
England transitioned well in the third quarter and shaded matters, scoring an equaliser in the 36th minute. Howard drove at Ireland and attracted numbers to the ball at the end line before picking out veteran Elena Rayer to level the game.
Neither side really threatened in the final quarter, with chances at a premium under fast-fading light and a draw was the ultimate outcome.
A bonus point was on offer to the shootout winners, with Murphy firstly denying Hamilton.
Ireland took the lead when Charlotte Beggs found the net.
Browne equalised and Jessica Mc Master was then denied by Pritchard.
Rayer scored with her effort but it looked for all as if it was outside the permitted eight-second rule. To add salt to the wound Murphy sustained an injury in the process and when Ireland did not refer the score to the TMO expecting a call to come from the umpire - it didn't - and the goal stood for England.
Power, who was awarded player of the match, got Ireland back on level terms at 2-2.
Lily Owsley and Hannah Mc Laughlin both added further scores for their respective side before both Howard and Sarah Hawkshaw missed with their team's final efforts.
Sudden death would then decided the bonus point.
Liz Murphy makes the save to ensure that Ireland come out on top in their shootout against England to take the extra point from their FIH Women's Pro League draw at the Sport Ireland Campus
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 11, 2025
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Mc Laughlin scored again for Ireland and that left the stage clear for a hobbling Murphy to sweep a stick at Hamilton's goalbound effort, much to the delight of the packed galleries.
Ireland now have two points on the board in their debut Pro League campaign and will play game three against Belgium on Saturday .
