1. You're just over 24 hours away from your second tournament as an Irish player. I bet when a group of chancers from UCC turned up at your school to do a transition year workshop, you never expected it to lead to this?
Yeah, I'm all packed up and waiting like an excited puppy! I think after my first go of huck and read I pretty much was hucked, but no, I really never imagined that just over a year later I'd be in Poland wearing the green jersey! I remember thinking that flicks were absolutely impossible at the workshop! After about 15 minutes of attempting them, I think only one or two actually came off! Thankfully, my flicks are just a little bit better now :L
2. Travelling to Poland last summer for EYUC must have been some experience. What is your abiding memory from the week?
It was easily the best week of my life but I have a feeling that worlds is going to give it a run for its money! I think if you asked anyone from last year that question it would definitely be Mairead's catch against Poland on universe point! It was nail biting stuff on the sidelines and I don't think that anyone, Caitlin included, thought that was going to come off. Just goes to show you should never doubt the abilities of a determined Tipp woman! Thank god for the camera work of Sara Hobson (legend) that we have that moment on camera and can watch it again and again.. and again.
3. Last year 50% of the squad was made up of school mates of yours. Without Christ King it's unlikely that an Irish Junior Women's team would have come about. What was it like playing for your country alongside such a close group of friends?
Christ King representin'.. I think the fact that so many of my school friends were there really enhanced the whole experience! All our school trainings were more focused because Poland was set in our sights. We were able to ask each other questions every day in school and bounce ideas off each other. It was really good to share such a class week with the ckss girls and of course all the other frisbee friends we made too! I'm so so grateful to anyone who took time out at some stage or another to train us!
4. This years squad boasts a lot more experience than last year, between an increase in college players and 7 players returning from last years junior team. Do you expect that to make a difference next week?
I definitely think that the addition of more experienced players can only benefit us next week. With more experience comes far more confidence in your own ability and your confidence in the team as a whole. This year we had a lot of warm up games and even a warm up tournament so we could really gel as a team on the pitch. Individually players have more experience but we also have a lot more experience of playing together as a team this year too, which makes me really excited for next week!
5. Last year you played primarily as a cutter but you've been handling from the get go this year. Did you make a conscious decision to move back to handle and which position do you prefer?
With Christ King I used to always handle but on the Irish team last year there were many strong handlers so I slotted back in as a cutter. This year it just seemed to happen that I was back handling and to tell the truth I feel more comfortable as a handler! Without a doubt however my stint as a cutter benefited me in the long run as a handler. I understand better now where the cutter wants the disc and when they'll clear out, and try and cater for this with my throws.
6. There is so much ultimate going on in Cork these days. It must be quite exciting to be part of it? Why on earth would you consider going to college in Aberdeen...? ;)
The ultimate scene in Cork is growing so fast! It's really exciting to be a part of it, especially the surge in women's Ultimate in Cork. CUPA's also been amazing this year to have regular training, something which wasn't really available last year. About that..Me going to college in Aberdeen is actually a cunning cover story for my scouting of British players to come play for Rebel!
7. You're a Rebel player. We've played against them in a number of warm up games in the lead up to Worlds. Why haven't we been able to beat them?
We did come close at Munster Munch and it was gutting to let our hard fought early lead slip. We were all raring to go when we played them at our last training weekend but it just didn't work out for us. I think their enthusiasm, experience and dedication really shone through in the end. Seeing the intensity they brought to each game with far less players gave us a good look at what we have to rise to at Worlds. We realised that everyone will have to give it their all and strive to always bring their A-game as Rebel did against us. Rebel were always very alert and I think their quick change from D to O punished us greatly, but at least we know now how snappy we need to be now on the turn!
8. A question from Ciara Corrigan:
We all know you were busy juggling frisbee training with the all important leaving cert study during the year and now worlds is the week that the results come out, are you glad to have the tournament to distract you or will you be a bit sad that you'll miss out on receiving your results at home and celebrating with your non-frisbee friends? Also are you more nervous about it seeing as these results will determine which college you'll be playing ultimate with next year :P
At first I wasn't so sure, but now that it's closer I'm very glad that I have the tournament to distract me from results! Whenever anyone says good luck for Wednesday my initial thought is our game against Japan, then I realise they mean results! I'm glad I'm avoiding the hype of calling into school and being summoned to the principal's office to get The Brown Envelope! I'm sure there'll be plenty of time for celebrating/drowning my sorrows after worlds and for the rest of the summer! These results have a big say in whether I'll be playing for UCD or scouting in Aberdeen next year, serious stuff! Any Irish college without a solid Ultimate team didn't make the cut for my CAO!
9. Now that we know who's in our group who are you most looking forward to playing in the first five games and who would you like to take on in the latter stages?
Firstly I'm absolutely gutted that Poland and Czech aren't playing, I was looking forward to a couple of grudge matches. I think everyone on the team is nervously awaiting our opening game against wjuc 2010 winners Colombia. It'll be our first match at worlds and most likely will be our greatest test of spirit but I think it'll be fantastic to play against a team of that standard. A target of ours is to try our hardest to beat our seeding so I think games against Isreal and France would be warmly welcomed by the girls!
10. Kate Boylan is next up. Do you have a question for your namesake?
Ah she's so hot she's Boooylan :L were you nervous about meeting the girls at the first training weekend since you didn't know any of us? :)
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