The team play the Turkish champions Gazentiep Doruk in the 1st group match Friday 12.10pm followed by the french hosts Iris Lambaserate on Friday night.

They finish off against the Scottish team Watsonians on Saturday before what will be either promotion playoffs or the dreaded relegation pool matches on Sunday.

The team has 3 current senior internationals (Sarah Patton, Orla Fox and Chloe Hiles) with Orla just back from a hand injury, the same fate that ruled out Orla Patton who will be a big loss over in Lille.

The team also former internationals playing in Amy Benson (29 caps), Erin Getty (10 caps) and Holly Jenkinson (5 caps) alongside some of the junior indoor players coming through the ranks in Maedbh le Roux, Mati Errico and Katie Hiles, with Jenny Long and Niamh Gowing providing additional experience to the ranks.

Coach Gareth Myburgh, Manager Helen Johnston, Video Tristan Seaton-Stedam

Match Results to date

Gaziantep Doruk SK (TUR) - Lost 7-5 (match awarded 5-0 to Railway for Turkish team fielding ineligible players - still to be confirmed)
Iris Hockey Lambersart (FRA) - Lost 6-3
Watsonians HC (SCO)
SG Amsicora ASD (ITA)

Match 1 report v Gaziantep Doruk SK (TUR)
Railway women were edged out in a tight encounter against the Turkish champions 7-5 and could have easily taken more from the match and will look back as a missed opportunity. Defensive errors were their undoing and credit to the Turkish offensive that were more than a handful to deal with on the court.
The match took an unexpected twist the following day as eligibility issues arose relating to the Turkish team and playing players not eligible for the competition with Euro Hockey then awarding Railway the points with a 5-0 win.

Match 2 report v Iris Hockey Lambersart (FRA)
The final match of Day 1 saw a classic Ireland v France encounter and unfortunately the level of physicality from the french would have been more at home at Stade de France and went unpunished by the umpiring team. Lambersart went 4-1 ahead in the first half as their territorial dominance forced Railway back and when they counter attacked they were broken down very effectively.
In the second half and particularly going into Q4 5-3 down the Railway girls were on the ascendancy in front of a packed and raucous arena cheering on the home team. They created many chances and a combination of good defensive work and lack of precision did not reduce the deficit and many indiscretions not being punished by the umpires. In particular with 2 minutes remaining with the keeper beaten a very deliberate foot foul stopping a railway shot on goal was only punished with a short corner when a yellow card and penalty stroke would have been the more correct umpiring decision. This was symptomatic of the match and the ultimate irony where a very harsh PC for a foot foul outside the circle against Railway in the final minute saw the home team increase the margin and win 6-3

Match 3 v Watsonians HC (SCO) - Lost 3 -7
Scottish side were the last group match and they had already qualified through to the semi-final playoffs, in the early exchanges it was the Scots who took an early lead and Railway were always playing catch up but never allowed them to get more than a goal ahead and at 4-3 down were looking for a final quarter push, unfortunately 3 goals within the first 2 minutes ended the match as a contest and consigned Railway to the relegation pool albeit they carry through the points for the technical 5-0 win v Turkey after their ineligible player issue.

Match 4 v SG Amsicora ASD (ITaly) - Win 4-2
In their first cross match Railway took on the Italian champions and were a goal down early in the first quarter again after a soft goal but Railway rallied well again as Sarah Patton drove them forward and created a PC and then converted to level scores. An end to end match it was Railway who were creating the more clear cut chances and went into half time 2-1 up. The Italian side equalised just after half time but Ireland dominated the final quarter and 2 further goals saw them win 4-2.
Tomorrow they take on the swiss champions in what is essentially a 5th / 6th place play off and have secured Ireland's place in European Trophy for next year.

Match 5 v AHTC Wien (Switzerland)