Today was a special day. The Irish Junior Women got their first win at World Championships and we couldn’t be happier! It unfolded like something from a movie script. The girls brought a great focus to the game against Finland and went into it determined to get the win we’ve spoken so about so often this week.
Before the game we spoke about what happened to us in Poland last year. For those of you unaware, we beat Poland on universe point (9-8) in the group stages on the Tuesday afternoon. This year we played Finland on Tuesday afternoon and lost to them 16-8. In Poland we went on to meet the Poles again in a placement game on Friday morning. We ended up losing 10-8 in the most heartbreaking of games. This year we met Finland for a second time on Friday morning and we were determined to reverse the pain felt by those on last years team and to get the win the girls on this year’s team so desperately deserved. Thankfully, there ended up being a beautiful symmetry to the story as the girls produced just what we asked of them.
We started by trading points to 4-4. The Fins getting off the mark first before we responded; Leanne assisting to Doireann. We kept in touch through the following scores; Caitlin to Aoife, Leanne to Caroline and Leanne to Edel. That left us level and well in the game, then Finland got the all important break to go 6-4 up. The girls didn’t panic though, keeping their cool to respond with two consecutive points of their own. Caroline assisted to Frankie and Kate O’Regan to Doireann. At 6-6 the Fins took the lead again before we responded by scoring twice to lead 8-7 at half time; Frankie to Caitlin and Aoife to Leanne.
The girls were playing some lovely ultimate. They were implementing the three elements which we identified as being crucial to success against the Fins; preventing the hucks by fronting their big handlers, being careful not to turn inside our own brick mark but being patient and content to work the disc up from anywhere else on the pitch. We opted for less hucks, had confidence in our handler’s ability to swing the disc and in our cutter’s ability to get free under against the Finish zone.
We started on offence at the start of the second half but we couldn’t extend our lead, as Finland turned us and drew level. With time going during that point it was 8-8, game to 10. We scored a superb point to swing momentum back our way. We worked the disc up the field and got the score quickly, Caroline assisting to Frankie, who after months of hearing “two hands Frankie!!” finally listened :) It was one of our best points of the week. We lead 9-8 and the huge contingent of both Irish and Fins on the sideline were getting very vocal as the open teams from both countries had turned out to support their women.
We put on a strong line to try to win the game, needing only one more point. The Fins didn’t give in so easy though, forcing the game to universe point. We were on offence and decided to keep faith with the same seven. Things didn’t look so good when we turned early but as it had been all game, our defence was aggressive enough to get us the disc back as the girls worked tirelessly in an effort to see themselves over the finish line.
We moved the disc up the field nicely and when the gap opened up a familiar partnership saw us to victory, Leanne to Caitlin, universe point victory. A disappointment from 12 months earlier put to bed for last years players. A well deserved victory finally secured. And the same two who scored the first ever Irish Junior Women’s point, combined again to score their most recent. Symmetry complete, queue the uncontrolled scenes of joy. There were screams and tears aplenty. I only just managed to fight them back myself. I’ve never been so happy, or so proud of a group of players. Never have a team deserved a victory more than these girls did today. I’m just thrilled that they were able to end the tournament on a high and leave with a more tangible sense of achievement to show for the enormous level of progress they’ve made over the past number of months.
If you were there today you saw what this group of players are all about. You saw the potential for future successes and you saw the future of Irish Women’s ultimate. Having lost 16-8 to Finland on Tuesday we achieved a 9 point swing to turn matters in our favour today. The unfortunate thing is it makes you wonder what might have been had we put in a performance like that on Tuesday or had we held onto the lead we established against GB.
I realise that all such thought is irrelevant, but it goes to show just how much closer we’re getting to achieving something truly special in this division. Unfortunately our second game of the day v Israel was cancelled due to pitch problems. That means our final position is still somewhat up in the air. But to be honest none of that really concerns me. It’s a pity that we couldn’t play Israel as it would have been another opportunity to get a win but I understand that our game was a tournament priority and with pitches in short supply we were understandably one of the first to get cut. That said, it didn’t stop me tormenting the tournament directors attempting to organise an alternative. Their job is not one I envy. In the end it was to no avail. On the bright side we got to end the week on a high. And that ne high has made it all worthwhile.
Ireland v Finland: Caitlin Looney (MVP), Caroline Sexton (MSP), Frankie Towers (A-Game).
Thanks to everyone who came out to support us over the week. Thanks to the parents of each of the players who’ve been so supportive over the past six months. Thanks to Mary, Meabh and Sara without whom none of this would have happened. And most importantly thanks to the 19 players who’ve been an absolute pleasure to coach.
Overall Awards: Caitlin Looney (MVP), Mags Carey (MSP), Estelle Murchan (A-Game).
What a great week! What a finale!
Who are we?! GREEN ARMY!!
Signing off,
Hobs.
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