After a number of days where their World Cup exploits were subject to the sporting spotlight, Ireland's hockey team returned to Dublin this afternoon. Although yesterday's final against the Netherlands didn't quite go to plan, the Ireland hockey team homecoming this afternoon was an overwhelming success.
Rank outsiders going into the tournament, wins against the United States of America, India (twice) and Spain signaled the magnitude of what this team achieved.
Captivating an audience for whom hockey had been a fairly marginal sport, today's homecoming in Dublin city-centre allowed swathes of viewers to come out and celebrate the team's monumental success.
Hockey heroes are coming home to this! @irishhockey 🍀🍀🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🏑🏑 pic.twitter.com/6bU69YWpVc
— Jacqui Hurley (@jacquihurley) August 6, 2018
Gathered below are a number of pictures from today's event, courtesy of Sportsfile.
Ireland Hockey Team Homecoming:
Returning to Dublin Airport
They’re home!!!! Looking forward to seeing a big crowd on Dame Street this afternoon #greenarmy pic.twitter.com/Ai8XujYzO2
— Hockey Ireland (@irishhockey) August 6, 2018
Ayeisha McFerran with her 'Goalkeeper of the Tournament' award
Thank you to @GardaTraffic for the escort, we’re on the way! #greenarmy pic.twitter.com/T4cxbloUaM
— Hockey Ireland (@irishhockey) August 6, 2018
Dame Street, Dublin
Here they are - the 2018 World Cup Silver Medalists!! What an atmosphere!! #GreenArmy pic.twitter.com/yJAZFdfsm9
— Sport Ireland (@sportireland) August 6, 2018
What a welcome for @irishhockey ! pic.twitter.com/7hbKRXHYYO
— Jacqui Hurley (@jacquihurley) August 6, 2018
There’s @sportsdes sneaking a cheeky dance in with @irishhockey pic.twitter.com/hOMUfXgENC
— Louise Byrne News (@LouiseByrneNews) August 6, 2018
If the Ireland hockey team homecoming leaves you wondering what is next for this group of players, captain Katie Mullan has left little doubt what the next goal is.
Speaking in the wake of yesterday's defeat, Ireland will have one eye on 2020:
We’ve never played in a World Cup, now we have. We’ve never played in an Olympic Games, now that’s our next goal. It’s been incredible. People spent a fortune to make sure they were here for the final. Hopefully young girls will look at this story back home and say that they want to be sporty, be in a team and go for it.
