WJUC Day 2.

We went into today raring to go. We got up early to watch the first hour of the U20 Open team’s game v Latvia and it really put us in a good mood as we left the field with them in a commanding position. They went on to win the game 17-2. Well done lads!

Our first game was against Great Britain U17s, a team who we lost to this time last year by a score of 14-3. While the game wasn’t a competitive one, we didn’t treat it as such, as it was an opportunity for us to assess our progress over the past 12 months. Without doubt it was the best performance by an Irish Junior Women’s team to date. 

After getting off to a slow start we called an early time out with the intention of improving our defence. From that point on the girls were far more aggressive, pressurised every GB throw and quickly reaped the rewards. Aoife Blake got us off the mark, receiving a pass from Leanne who assisted a second to Caroline soon afterwards. Kate Boylan got a huge D block to keep our momentum going and we capitalised as Caitlin found Edel to make it 6-3. 

GB had a number of accomplished handlers, with many familiar faces from last year and they continued to make an impression on the scoreboard. Jess Daly (JD) and Doireann Ni Mhuineachain were putting in a superb effort on defence, forcing the turn to secure our fourth point; Leanne assisting to Mags. With the score 8-4 at half time we remained in touch. GB got the opening score of the second half but from then on the girls really started to put in a huge effort. 

Doireann went on to score our next three points; Leanne assisting on each occasion as big defensive efforts all round continued to pay dividends, as Caroline and JD proved responsible for two very important turn overs. Estelle Murchan, who looked custom made for our wing handler position against the GB zone found Niamh Carey unmarked in the end zone as we continued to ramp up the pressure on an increasingly shaky group of GB youngsters. 

Our man defence looked better than I had ever previously seen it and our girls looked hungry for victory as they edged closer and closer. A three point run put us within touching distance as Caitlin scored twice but we had surrendered too big of a lead to GB at the start and couldn’t maintain the pressure despite huge Ds from JD, Kate O’Regan and Mags. 

The closer the score line the more anxious we seemed to get as we began to force things a bit on offence. With the score 10-11 and momentum having swung our way, things were looking good but unfortunately we were punished for some rushed passes and GB put away the last two points to run out winners to a score of 13-10.

Leanne O'Neill (MVP), Doireann Ni Mhuineachain (A-Game), Caitlin Looney (MSP)

The girls were gutted after that loss. To have come so close to what would have been an incredible come back, but still lose out, was very tough to take. But we had to dust ourselves down and get back to business. We had a game against Finland at 3pm and nice and all as it would have been to get a win against GB, games against teams in our own division are the ones that count.  

Again we started poorly against the Fins. Finding ourselves 5-1 down early on and with a bit of a mountain to climb. The Finland zone was similar to our own. At times we swung the disc really well, rattling off a huge number of passes in succession and resisting the temptation to huck it long. But too often uncharacteristic errors cost us. Simple drops and throw aways were punished by two very strong Finish handlers and unravelled what so often was a sustained period of very good offensive flow on our part. That proved disheartening as tired bodies and minds meant we never really managed to claw ourselves back into the game. 

Leanne scored a point of her own when JD popped a disc off to her as she jumped into the end zone. But the Fins responded well and consistently put away their points. Leanne was back to assisting again soon afterwards as she threw to Doireann, Jess MacSweeney and Caitlin for scores. Defence remained strong as we continued to force turns, we simply failed to capitalise on our scoring opportunities with sufficient regularity. Caitlin assisted to Niamh for our last point before half, at which point we trailed 9-5. 

JD enjoyed great joy in the second half as our handlers found gaps in the Finish defence to make big gains threw the middle through her. She proved just as useful in the end zone, as Kate O’Regan found her for our first score after the interval. Aoife looked to have brought us right back into the game with an assist to Niamh but unfortunately a travel was called and we failed to put it in at the second time of asking. 

Estelle suddenly began to resemble a woman possessed on defence, as she made three interceptions in one point. But again a lack of focus on offence meant we were left frustrated  at not being able to convert our good defence into scores. Jess MacSweeney assisted to Caitlin to make it 10-7 but the longer the game went on, the more errors crept into our game. Finland seemed to have more in the tank in the closing stages and they put matters beyond us by scoring 5 in a row. 

With the score 15-7, game to 16, we were determined not to let the Scandinavians have it all their own way. Estelle threw to Doireann to stop the rot, but sadly the come back to beat all come backs didn’t materialise and we lost 16-8. 

Caitlin Looney (MVP), Estelle Murchan (A-Game), Mags Carey (MSP)

I find myself slightly frustrated that we couldn't replicate our GB performance against Finland. If we had managed to do so I think we could have beaten them. That said today had a lot of positives. When I reflect on how things were last year the improvement is huge. Last year the thought of 4 or 5 swings, with the disc travelling between three or four handlers on each occasion , would have been totally beyond us. Today it was common place. We continue to rack up respectable score lines against strong teams but that first win of the week still eludes us. The progress within the squad is clear to see, but it’s sometimes difficult not to be greedy and want wins to show for that improvement.  

That desire for a win is clearly evident within both the players and management of this squad, which in its essence is a great to see, but we mustn't allow it to consume us. Success for us can appear in several forms, it isn’t solely defined by the scoreboard. Today the girls implemented tactics which we’ve worked on and showed a desire and aggression in both games which for me is a form of success. I know that if we continue to do the things we did right today, I've no doubt that I’ll have the pleasure of reporting on a win before the end of the week. 

We play Japan first thing tomorrow morning.