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 somethingthe 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.
She felt Ireland came away last night mindful they needed to be in control during certain moments of a game.
"Towards the end we lost control and left players unmarked when we needed to pack up in numbers due to tiredness so, hopefully, we won't leave that gap against Australia."
A beaming Frazer gave a thumbs up to the crisp autumn weather last night rather than the mid-20C days they struggled with. "This is more like home tonight."
