They are one of the two non-Rio Olympic-bound sides but Ireland are winning the hearts of Hawke's Bay hockey fans.
Having lost 3-1 to New Zealand last night, it doesn't get easier for the Graham Shaw-coached side who face defending champions Australia in the quarter-finals tomorrow but that is something the exhausted players were already relishing.
"We were very excited to play against a top team in front of their home crowd so we were really up for it," Ireland captain Megan Frazer said after they held the Kiwis to 1-all until the 52nd minute.
Frazer said they lost control a little bit towards the end so they would watch the videotape to see if they could iron out the kinks to come out stronger against the Aussies.
"That is why we're here because we get to play top teams we don't often get to play so we're pretty excited and will try our best to give them a good game," said the 25-year-old centreback from Derry in Northern Ireland.
