The Irish Women’s Hockey team have finally been granted the official seal of approval to compete in next September’s World Cup in Australia.
After a tortuous saga with Lithuania, that has dragged on since last September, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CIS) ruled today that Ireland’s original qualification would stand and dismissed the Lithuanian appeal.
Speaking to ireland.com, Joan Morgan, Executive Secretary of the Irish Hockey Association, said the squad could now get down to the serious business of preparing for a World Cup without the spectre of courtroom battles hanging over them.
"We’re absolutely delighted with today’s decision," she said. "It now means we can finally start to make our preparations for the finals in Perth [Australia].
"The squad will meet in Belfast the weekend after next and from there the full preparation programme can get underway."
The dispute between Ireland and Lithuania began when the two sides met during last September’s World Cup qualification event in Amiens, France.
Their match went to penalty strokes and although Lithuania ‘won’ this shootout, Ireland appealed because the penalties had been taken in the wrong order.
The tournament organisers, realising their blunder, upheld Ireland’s appeal and ordered the shootout to be retaken the following morning. When Lithuania, understandably upset with proceedings, refused to turn up Ireland were awarded the tie and went on to claim fifth place overall and a spot in the World Cup.
However, the Lithunians lodged a subsequent appeal with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) who in turn ruled that Ireland should undergo a play-off with the Lithuanians - at next month’s Champions Challenge in South Africa - to determine who would go to Perth.
Both countries were unhappy with the decision reached and brought the matter before the CIS who today, eventually, brought the matter to rest.