Photo by: Frank Uijlenbroek/World Sport Pics
Former UofL Standout Ayeisha McFerran Named to Ireland Field Hockey Roster for Tokyo Olympics
June 23, 2021 | Field Hockey
Former University of Louisville field hockey standout Ayeisha McFerran was named to the Irish National Team's 16-player roster to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games this summer.Â
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She becomes the first player in UofL history to earn a spot on an Olympic field hockey roster. Former Cardinal field hockey standout Jessica Javelet (2003-06) competed in the 2016 Rio Summer Games as part of USA Rugby Women's Sevens Olympic roster.
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"I am so incredibly proud and elated for Ayeisha to be representing Ireland and playing in her first Olympics," said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. "To have our first ever 'hockey' Olympian is very exciting for our Cardinal program. She already has an impressive list of accomplishments and now there is "Olympian" to her name. I know this was a huge dream of hers and she has worked very hard to get this point. I am confident that she will perform to the highest level and put her team in a potential medal contender."
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McFerran, who is in her eighth year as a member of the Irish National Team, helped lead Ireland to a shootout win against Canada in an Olympic Qualifier in November 2019. With the win, the Green Army earned a bid to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, marking the first-ever berth for the Irish Women's National Team.
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Previously scheduled for July and August 2020, the Olympics were postponed to July 23-August 8 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Larne native has turned in multiple clutch performances for the Green Army. She was named Best Goalkeeper of the World Cup in 2018 after helped Hockey Ireland became the first in the nation's history to reach the World Cup finals. She was nominated twice for the FIH World Goalkeeper of the Year.
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McFerran, who played for the Cardinals from 2015-18, graduated from UofL in May 2019 after becoming the program's first four-time NFHCA All-American. She finished her career ranked among the school's top three in career victories (50) victories and shutouts (20) and goals against average (1.40).
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She becomes the first player in UofL history to earn a spot on an Olympic field hockey roster. Former Cardinal field hockey standout Jessica Javelet (2003-06) competed in the 2016 Rio Summer Games as part of USA Rugby Women's Sevens Olympic roster.
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"I am so incredibly proud and elated for Ayeisha to be representing Ireland and playing in her first Olympics," said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. "To have our first ever 'hockey' Olympian is very exciting for our Cardinal program. She already has an impressive list of accomplishments and now there is "Olympian" to her name. I know this was a huge dream of hers and she has worked very hard to get this point. I am confident that she will perform to the highest level and put her team in a potential medal contender."
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McFerran, who is in her eighth year as a member of the Irish National Team, helped lead Ireland to a shootout win against Canada in an Olympic Qualifier in November 2019. With the win, the Green Army earned a bid to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, marking the first-ever berth for the Irish Women's National Team.
Â
Previously scheduled for July and August 2020, the Olympics were postponed to July 23-August 8 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Â
The Larne native has turned in multiple clutch performances for the Green Army. She was named Best Goalkeeper of the World Cup in 2018 after helped Hockey Ireland became the first in the nation's history to reach the World Cup finals. She was nominated twice for the FIH World Goalkeeper of the Year.
    Â
McFerran, who played for the Cardinals from 2015-18, graduated from UofL in May 2019 after becoming the program's first four-time NFHCA All-American. She finished her career ranked among the school's top three in career victories (50) victories and shutouts (20) and goals against average (1.40).
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