HOCKEY/World Cup: Mary Hannigan talks to goalkeeper Tara Browne about Ireland's future, her own World Cup and avoiding a whitewash against South Africa today
With Holland, Australia and Argentina already through to the semi-finals, and China and Korea in contention for the final place in the last four, the World Cup in Perth is reaching its closing stages along largely anticipated lines.
England, South Africa, New Zealand and Russia, though, can already dwell on a hugely disappointing tournament, but in the realms of frustration and despondency they still can't hold a candle to Ireland's experience so far.
"We came here with high hopes, not unrealistic ones, after our form in the build-up, confident we could achieve something, but it just hasn't happened for us," said Irish goalkeeper Tara Browne.
"Losing four games by the single goal was heart-breaking, but we can't put it down to bad luck - you make your own luck in this game. But it's not like we're sitting in our apartments feeling sorry for ourselves, we're just getting on with it and digging a bit deeper each time."
Browne, one of up to eight of the Irish squad contemplating retirement after this tournament, is still upbeat about Ireland's future in international hockey, and bases her optimism on the form of the "young ones" this past week.
"The only consolation for us here is that we've been close enough so often, that's the encouraging thing for the younger players who will stay on after this tournament.
"If we were getting thumped 6-0 every time we went out they might say 'feck it, why bother', but we haven't been, we've competed with the best - apart from Holland, who were just brilliant. When I look at the likes of Eimear Cregan, Ciara O'Brien, Catherine Murray and Linda O'Neill, I know Ireland has a good future. It might take two years, it might take four, but the talent is there.
"Eimear has been an absolute star, skinning everyone, little lifts, speed, everything, there's nothing she can't do. She's taken on and beaten the best defenders in the world. Ciara, Catherine and Linda have all done well and will learn so much from this experience.
"True, they're learning the hard way, but playing at this level - the very highest - will do them a power of good.
"Yes, Holland played us off the park - what can you do? - but every other game has been close, and now we just have to make it bloody happen against South Africa," said Browne in reference to Ireland's final pool game today.
"They haven't been too hot either so we have a chance of taking something from them - we didn't come here to lose every game, we have to be professional and clinical and just go out and do it."
After being dropped following the opening game against England, Browne reclaimed her place from Angela Platt midway through the second half of the drubbing by Holland.
"Coming on as a sub in that game was like winning my first cap, it almost felt like I was starting all over again having been first choice for so long - it was nerve-racking," she said. "I was totally gutted when I was dropped, but Riet (Kuper) just said 'prove me wrong'. I was just grateful to get another chance."
Ireland can avoid finishing bottom of their pool, setting up a cross-over game against Russia on Friday, if they beat South Africa today. Another defeat, or even a draw, means they will play New Zealand, Scotland or Ukraine in the 13th-16th place play-offs. They play their final game on Saturday.
RESULTS: Pool A: New Zealand 3, Ukraine 0; Germany 1, China 3; Argentina 2, Korea 1; Scotland 3, Russia 1.
TODAY'S MATCHES: Pool B: Holland v US, 9.05; England v Spain, 11.05; Ireland v South Africa, 2.05; Australia v Japan. Pool A: Ukraine v Germany, 9.35; Korea v Scotland, 3.35; Russia v Argentina, 4.05; China v New Zealand, 8.05.
