Interview with Colaiste Choilm and Rebel Ultimate handler, Leanne O'Neill

1. Hi Leanne, how have preparations been going for WJUC?

Hello, they're going great.With only 3 sleeps to go I've done as much fitness as I can do really, just working on my mental game now and looking over tactics.


2. You started playing in school in Colaiste Choilm, what is it about the sport you enjoy so much?

There's so much I love about ultimate. I enjoy the fact that its a real team sport.One person can't run the pitch and score a goal, its all about passing it between the team and including everyone. Also the coaches are pretty great;) 


3. You've become one of the most familiar faces on the Cork ultimate scene. How do you think the sport is developing in Cork and how realistic is the possibility an All Ireland women's trophy making its way Leeside in the coming years..maybe even this year?

Ehm have I? Its probably because all I do with my life is play frisbee! I think the sport is getting much stronger especially women's ultimate, the majority of people at our school trainings are girls which is great to see. CUPA is also a great way of getting us young people out training every week, I wish I had that opportunity last year. We have a great bunch of players down here and I think we'll put it up to the likes of LMS and Jabba and hopefully bring the trophy home come September.   


4. You went to Poland with the Junior team last year. That was obviously a very exciting experience. When you look back at it, what are your abiding memories?

I know it's not all about winning and whatever but beating Poland on universe point was amazing. Ireland going crazy at the opening ceremony and getting up at 6 in the morning to go dancing on balconies are also great memories. 


5. What on earth were you thinking when you threw that hammer against GB for our opening score of the tournament? :)

I was thinking "wow wouldn't it be class if I threw a hammer against GB for our opening score of the tournament":p Only joking, I don't know really, I suppose I just felt like we needed a score on the board and a hammer seemed fitting for the occasion. I didn't plan it, it just happened? 


6. What is the biggest difference between the Leanne O'Neill who played at EUC and the Leanne O'Neill who'll be playing at Worlds next week?

I'm another year older even though the girls won't believe me and still insist on calling me J.T.M. I'd like to say I've improved my decision making on the pitch, I only look for the hucks most of the time instead of all the time this year.


7. You've been a handler since day one. Often players ply their trade as cutters before taking on the responsibility of handling. Is it something you put your mind to, did you find that you naturally had the throws for the position or are you just lazy? ;)

When we started in school I picked up the disc and Caitlin ran long, so i suppose I just liked handling from then on because our tactic always seemed to work. Now its just a bonus. I see all the cutters running all over the place and I just stroll over to pick up the disc, I'm deep in the zone too, so ya i'd say i'm very lazy!   


8. You're team mates would probably consider you one of the jokers of the group. Yet you're always very focused and vocal on the pitch. Do you find it easy to switch from relaxing with your team mates to focusing for a game?

I don't know if they consider me a joker, they laugh at me more than with me but shur as long as we're all having fun it's ok:) It's easy to stay focused and be vocal when you're not doing much running around. I find it easy yes because when we start warming up I know whats ahead and I start to think about the game in hand so I stop yapping, most of the time.


9. What is the biggest difference between this years team and last years?

Both teams are very different and both have their strengths and weaknesses, I'd have to say the level of skill on this years team is better and not just from the 7 from last year, some of the new girls have really impressed me.


10. Do you have any personal goals for WJUC and what would you consider to be a positive week for the team?

Well last year was a hammer so this year I'm going for a chicken wing. In all seriousness though I just dont want to cause a lot of turnovers and hopefully assist a few scores for the team. A positive week for us would be to have a very good game against Finland in our group and hopefully win a few cross over games. I'd like to think we could place higher than our seeding of 12th too. 


11. A question from Molly O'Toole - You were on the team last year... is there any team that you're specifically looking forward to playing against this year?

I think I speak for everyone on the team last year when I say would love to play France again and hopefully come out with a good result.Personally I'm looking forward to playing Colombia, it's not very often you get the chance to play world champions.


12. Lastly, Ciara Corrigan is next up.. do you have a question for her?

Ah good old Trinnitah. How does it feel to be the sole representative from Trinity and did you enjoy your time down here in the real capital for all those training weekends?

Interview with Molly O'Toole

1. Hi Molly, so you're from Mayo, that must be tough...? Just kidding, I assume you're proud to be representing the Wehst on this years team though?

It's fairly handy actually... there's plenty of space for throwing and cows for target practice! :P It is nice to have myself and Aoife from the west, so that there's more on the team than just Corkies and Dubs!

2. You're also the first UCD player to make it onto the Junior Women's team. How did they rope you into taking up the sport?

I had heard that it was great fun, and when i saw the stand during freshers week i decided to sign up and loved it!

3. It was a great year to be female player in UCD too. Winning mixed intervarsities and getting to the final of women's. Things really seem to be moving in the right direction for you guys. What do you put that down to?

I think we really came together as a team, set goals, and worked hard on trying to make them happen. It was great to have leadership like we did, and people like Fiona, Emer and Beata to look up to and learn from.

4. A question from Caitlin Looney. Are you looking forward to Co-Captaining UCD next year? Also how did championship go? 

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it, but nervous at the same time! Hopefully myself and Sarah will do a good job! And we won be 3 points in the championship :)

5. You're one of many players on this years team from a GAA background. How do you balance your sporting commitments? 

It is tough, and because of it I don't have much free time, but I love sports, so that makes it that I don't mind. I've grown up with GAA and have been playing since I was 5 or 6, so it would be strange if I wasn't working it into my life.

6. You played mainly as a cutter for UCD this year but you'll be handling for the Juniors. How have you found adjusting to a new position and which do you prefer?

It was strange at first, and hard to get used to, but i really enjoy both now!

7. This year's team come from 4 different schools and 5 different colleges. Presumably you came into the group not really knowing anyone. How have you settled in?

Everybody is so friendly and welcoming, and we get on so well! I knew Frankie from the beginners tournament in Edinburgh last year, and i knew of a couple of the other players, but it's really been great getting to know the team!

8. 64. Thats an unusual squad number choice. Is there any interesting story behind it? 

Not a very interesting one... the numbers 4 and 6 have always been my lucky numbers, but they are popular jersey numbers and are always taken. I was going to go for 46, but ended up choosing 64 because it was available with UCD, Jabba and Juniors.

9. Worlds is less than a week away now. You must be excited?

I'm so excited, but quite nervous too! It's great that it's in Dublin so that we will always have a crowd cheering for us, but that adds the pressure of playing in front of friends and family, and wanting to impress!

10. What would you consider to be a successful week for the team?

A successful week would be playing to our best ability, giving every game everything we've got, and coming out on top against any teams that are within our reach.

11. Lastly, have you a question for one of your team mates? 

Leanne, you were on the team last year... is there any team that you're specifically looking forward to playing against this year?

Interview with Irish Junior Captain Caitlin Looney

1. Hi Caitlin. Worlds is only a week away now. You must be getting excited?

I'm in disbelief its only a week away! I can't wait to put on the
number 5 and go out and represent Ireland with a group of Girls who
I've spent six months getting to know and learning to play with. My
excitment is getting to an all time high with the week countdown on
us. Myself and Leanne are debating whether its going to be the
shortest or longest week of our life. I'll guess We'll have to see!


2. A tournament on home soil. Does that give you an advantage or bring pressure?

A mixture of both I think. The advantage of having so much support and
energy from Irish support will help carry us in our games. But then on
the other side you can see the added pressure of playing in front of
your family and friends and the want to play your best. I think the
London Olympics is a great example of it. Hopefully both Irish teams
will be able to channel the nerves into positive energy and make the
tournament on home soil a sucess.


3. How did somebody with a background in intercounty GAA find herself
getting involved in ultimate?

Through School. I love sports and when Leanne said to come try
Ultimate. I said I might as well give it a try. It was something I
found enjoyable at the start and then being exposed to such a highly
competitve level at EYUC really made an impact on me. GAA is something
I've grown up with, Ultimate is something I chose to play. It makes
them both important to me and I hope to continue both for as long as
possible.

4. You were part of the squad who went to Poland for EYUC last year.
How did you find that experience?

It was the best week of my life so far. I felt as though that week
brought Ultimate to a new level in my eyes. You get to see every side
of people when you experience such a physically challenging week with
them. The bonds that it forges are amazing! I left with an experience
that has stood to me greatly over the past twelve months. Our
performance in Poland both delights and dissapoints me. Some games
were fanatastic such as they Czech and Polish games and we took great
pride in them. But others such as our French, Swedish and German game
were hard to think back on. We had so much more potential and its
dissapointing to look back on it and say if only we had thrown this or
ran harder. Fingers crossed this year we'll go out off the mark and
put it up to every team that comes at us!

5. You've pretty much been playing ultimate non stop for the past 12
months. You must be far more confident in your own ability this time
round having gained so much more experience?

I've been very lucky in all the tournaments I've been given the
opportunity to experience in the past year and with the coaching I've
been offered here in Cork. I can't say I'm more confident in my
abitlities but I'm definatly not as nervous as I was last year and I'm
going to go in with the same attitude of giving it my all.


6. Obviously it's Worlds this time round. What would you consider to
be good progress from Poland to this years tournament?

Progress would be to challenge every single team we come up against.
Last year, as I said we had mixed performances. But this year if we
could pull together as a team and make every point count I have no
doubt things can be improved.


7. What do you consider to be your biggest strength and what is the
team's biggest strength going into the tournament?


Thats a hard question. I think my cutting has improved and I always
want to be a potential option for a throw. In terms of the team I
think when our zone defence is put into action it really is one of our
strong points and then when the tables are turned our zone offence
when we focus and everyone pulls together is very effective.


8. A question from Jess Daly - What's it like being "an captaen is
fearr" and having 18 other girls looking up to you?

When I read this question in Jess's interview I got so nervous. Being
captain is such an honour! I really want to lead by example, this is
why my focus is to go out and never give up.
I've found captaining being alot different to what I envisaged. Its
such a challenge and I've enjoyed it so far. When I think of the girls
looking up to me, its something I find strange. I'm friends with all
the girls and trying to find the balance between the two roles is
interesting. So far I think its worked, when I get onto the pitch I
hope I provide the girls with someone to look up to.


9. With 7 players returning from last years squad there's a nice
balance of familiarity and new faces around the place. How do you
think the team have gelled over the past few months?

I think the team has gelled really well. I mean bringing 19 teenage
girls together is always going to bring challenges. But things have
really come together. Everyone knows our aim is to go out and compete
and thats what we're here to do.


10. Now that the groups have been released what are your thoughts on
the group we've been drawn in; Colombia, Germany, Japan, Finland and
GB U17 (non competitive)?

Its a tough group. But then again they all are. Columbia are coming in
as World champions and Germany, I think, one of their strongest
competitors. That game would be one to watch! Japan are also arriving
in on the back of their Senior Womens teams success and will be great
to play. I  wonder will they play the one and a half defence and if so
how will we cope. In my eyes Finland will be a match we should look
forward too. Hopefully it will be highly competitive affair. Its also
great to see Great Britain coming over with an Under 17 team after
having one last year. Our match against them proved to be a turning
point on our offensive play and I look forward to another highly
spirited game.


11. Molly O'Toole is next up... Do you have a question for her?

Molly: Are you looking forward to Co-Captaining UCD next year? Also
how did championship go?

Interview with JD (aka Jess Daly)

For the first of our interviews in the build up to WJUC we decided to speak to our youngest team member, Jess Daly, or JD as she's become affectionately known. 

1. You started playing having been introduced to the sport in PE in school. What was your first thought when you heard the words "ultimate frisbee"?
- Well at first I think I had the usual "frisbee is a sport?" reaction but once I found out all about it and gave it a try I was hooked.


2. What is it about the sport you love most?
- Definitely the people. Without a doubt. I've made friends through ultimate that I would never have without it and I hope to have these friendships for years to come.


3. Having come from a GAA background you've now made ultimate your number 1 sport. How have your family and friends reacted?
- My family just adapted, they saw how much I loved it and went with it. As for my friends, some of them play ultimate too so it hasn't been much of a jump for them, the rest don't really play sport so that's not a problem either.


4. You're a regular at the CUPA (Open junior training sessions) in Cork. What are your thoughts on how the sport is developing in your home county?
- It's really catching on, and fast. It's really good to see. I think once it starts being introduced in more schools we're going to have a massive ultimate community in Cork in a few years.


5. Going from complete beginner to Irish international in one short year, it must feel like it's all happened very fast?
- Yeah "fast" isn't even the word. But I had some great coaches when I started and the lads I played with in school who were on the Junior team last year taught me alot too so I have them all to thank for it. I love it so I'm just going with the flow and enjoying the ride.


6. You get to make your debut as an Irish player on home soil. You must be excited about WJUC in Dublin?
- I'm absolutely pumped. It's going to be an amazing week, full of ultimate and new people. What's not to be excited about?

7. Your squad number... number 43... Is there any story behind that?
- Well, originally I'd wanted number 8  because its my lucky number but Mags already had that since last year so that one was out. I'm a massive petrol head and Ken Block is a rally and stunt driver I admire. His number is 43 and I saw it one day when I was trying to decide which number to take and I said "hey, why not?". It's not a very common number either so I don't think I'll have to fight with anyone over it for jersey numbers.


8. At just 16 you're the youngest player on this years squad. You're also the sole representative from Ballincollig Community School. How have you settled in with your new team mates?
- Very well. Everyone on the team is great and I'm a pretty chatty person anyway so I think I get on pretty well with nearly everyone.


9. What do you think is the biggest strength you bring to the field?
- I'm fast enough so I like to think I'm good for cuts and going deep.

10. Allow yourself to dream... What would be your ideal WJUC result?
- Winning most of our matches and giving every single team we play a run for their money. I want us all to come away from WJUC thinking "we gave it everything we had."


11. Finally... Pick on a team mate...and a question you'd like to ask them for our next interview. 
- Caitlin; what's it like being "an captaen is fearr" and having 18 other girls looking up to you?

Meet the Irish Junior Women 2012

Name: Caitlin Looney (captain)

Age: 17

Club/School/College: Colaiste Choilm and Rebel Ultimate.

Home Town: Inniscarra, Cork.

Squad Number: 5

Offence or Defence?: I enjoy both.

When did you start playing ultimate?: November/ December 2010.

Favourite throw: Flick breaks- not that I'm any good at them.

How did you start playing ultimate?: Leanne recommended the coaching!

Favourite ultimate memory?: Our win on universe point against Poland

at EYUC last year

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC?: Forming Bonds with

people that can only be made through sports.

What other sports do you play?: Camogie and Football.

Who's your sporting idol? Rena Buckley.

Name: Caroline Sexton (vice captain) 

Age: 18

Club/School/College: Christ King, Cork

Home Town: Cork

Squad Number: 10

Offence or Defence?: Offence

When did you start playing ultimate?: September 2010

Favourite throw: Backhand huck 

How did you start playing ultimate?: School Workshop in Transition Year

Favourite ultimate memory?: Beating Poland on universe point at EYUC 2011

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC?: Using our Zone D and generally playing as an enthusiastic team

What other sports do you play?: Used to play soccer and Gaelic football but now just ultimate!

Who's your sporting idol?: I don't really have one.

Name: Aoife Blake

Age: 18

Club/School/College: UCC

Home Town: Milltown, Co. Galway

Squad Number: 28

Offence or Defence?: I'm not entirely sure, but probably defence

When did you start playing ultimate?: October 2011

Favourite throw: Inside-Out Flick I love it! 

How did you start playing ultimate?: Went with my neighbour one day and kept going

Favourite ultimate memory?: Winning Ladies' Dev's and playing at Tour 1 in London this year

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC?: Getting to play internationally, learning loads and having the craic!

What other sports do you play?: A bit of football

Who's your sporting idol?: Joe Canning

Name: Ciara Corrigan

Age: 19

Club/School/College: Trinity College Dublin

Home Town: Kilkenny

Squad Number:19

Offence or Defence?: hard to say, usually Defence

When did you start playing ultimate? September 2011

Favourite throw: outside in backhands

How did you start playing ultimate?: Joined during freshers week in College cos the older Sis wouldn't stop going on about it so I had to see what all the fuss was about myself.   

Favourite ultimate memory? Playing matches for the first time at the Edinburgh beginner's tournament and actually: managing to score something 

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC?: Wearing the Irish kit on home soil, giving all the other countries a 'cead mile failte' and putting all our hard work over the past few months to good use against some the best from around the world :)

What other sports do you play?: Used to play camogie, then hockey now tis just Frisbee 

Who's your sporting idol?: Serena Williams

Name: Edel Cormac

Age: 19

Club/School/College: UCC

Home Town: Union Hall, Co.Cork

Squad Number: 65

Offence or Defence?: Defence

When did you start playing ultimate?: October 2011 

Favourite throw: Backhand

How did you start playing ultimate?: Signed up on clubs day in college with my friends to give it a go.

Favourite ultimate memory: Playing mixed IVs.

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC?: Getting to play ultimate for a whole week and playing against and watching other competitive teams.

What other sports do you play? None

Who's your sporting idol?: Ronan O'Gara

Name: Estelle Murchan

Age: 19

Club/School/College: DCU

Home Town: Dublin

Squad Number: 73

Offence or Defence?: Offence

When did you start playing ultimate?: October 2011 

Favourite throw: Low release backhand

How did you start playing ultimate?: To try something new in college, heard it was good fun 

Favourite ultimate memory?: Winning Trinity Tea Party-my first tournament

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC? :Playing other countries and frisbee banter for a week!

What other sports do you play?: Camogie, Athletics

Who's your sporting idol?: Steven Gerrard and Christophe Lemaitre

Name: Jess Daly

Age: 16

Club/School/College: Ballincollig Community School

Home Town: Ovens, Co. Cork

Squad Number: 43

Offence or Defence?: Offence

When did you start playing ultimate?: Started properly in September 2011

Favourite throw: Flick or backhand huck

How did you start playing ultimate?: Tried it for the first time in PE in school, loved it, joined the school team the following September

Favourite ultimate memory?: Winning that crazy intense semi final against Trinity at Ladies Developmentals on universe point.

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC?: Getting the chance to play against other international teams and to have a laugh while playing well at the same time

What other sports do you play?: I used to play Gaelic Football but now it's just Ultimate

Name: Jessica Mac Sweeney

Age: 18

Club/School/College: Christ King Secondary School

Home Town: Rochestown, Cork

Squad Number: 4

Offence or Defence?: Defence

When did you start playing ultimate?: February 2011

Favourite throw: Flick huck... actually any kind of flick really.

How did you start playing ultimate?: I think Kate and Caroline might have nagged me. I can't really remember!

Favourite ultimate memory?: At EYUC last year, when Ireland's first point was scored by the girls' team with a hammer throw. After that the lads' team stopped mocking us (kind of).

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC?: Living in Ballymun. And having another stab at beating the Czech team.

What other sports do you play?: Just Ultimate.

Who's your sporting idol?: Am I allowed to say Caitlin Looney?

Name: Kate O'Regan

Age: 18

Club/School/College: Rebel and used to be Christ King

Home Town: Belgooly, Co.Cork

Squad Number: 3

Offence or Defence?: Offence

When did you start playing ultimate?: September 2010

Favourite throw: Outside in flick huck

How did you start playing ultimate?: I did a workshop in fourth year during PE and started playing with the school the next September.

Favourite ultimate memory?: Beating Poland on universe point at EYUC 2011

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC?: Playing against teams from all over the world, basically dreaming, eating and sleeping Ultimate. 

What other sports do you play?: Camogie.

Who is your sporting idol? Leanne O'Neill- who else would fix their dislocated finger by refusing to stop playing Ultimate? She also likes to header the frisbee while on D

Name: Laoise Murphy

Age: 18

Club/School/College: Colaiste Choilm

Home Town: Ballinora, Cork

Squad Number: 9

Offence or Defence?: I like both but defence

When did you start playing ultimate?:  October 2011

Favourite throw: flick

How did you start playing ultimate?: Leanne and Caitlin mostly, did it for PE one day then went to school training, been going ever since! 

Favourite ultimate memory?: Winning the ladies developed semi final against trinity! 

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC? Playing against teams, seeing how we get on against other people our age! 

What other sports do you play?: Camogie, sailing, used to play soccer 

Who is your sporting idol? Em.. I think  I am going to agree with jess and say Caitlin Looney! :D

Name: Leanne O'Neill

Age: 17

Club/School/College: Rebel Ultimate and Colaiste Choilm

Home Town: Blarney, Cork

Squad Number: 7

Offence or Defence?: Offence

When did you start playing ultimate?: October 2010

Favourite throw: Backhand huck

How did you start playing ultimate?: UCC people came to my sports science class in TY and then set up school team.

Favourite ultimate memory?: Throwing a hammer to assist our first score at EYUC 2011

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC?: Getting the experience of playing some really strong teams, and getting to do nothing but play frisbee for a week.

What other sports do you play? Used to play soccer, camogie, football and athletics but none at the moment

Who's your sporting idol?: Steven Gerrard 

Name: Lesley Fitzpatrick

Age: 19

Club/School/College: IT Blanchardstown and Jabba the Huck

Home Town: Dublin

Squad Number: 15

Offence or Defence?: Either

When did you start playing ultimate?: September 2011

Favourite throw: Any sort of Flick.

How did you start playing ultimate?: Got roped into joining my college team, went to Cork Open and loved it.

Favourite ultimate memory?: Scoring my first ever point against NUIG and ITB winning our first ever match at Cork Open.

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC?: Playing ultimate for an entire week!

What other sports do you play?: Basketball and a few other bits here and there.

Who's your sporting idol?: Ronan O'Gara. Actually any Irish rugby player.

                               

Name: Mags Carey

Age: 18

Club/School/College: CUPA and Christ King

Home Town: Blarney, Co.Cork

Squad Number: 8

Offence or Defence?: Offence

When did you start playing ultimate?: September 2010

Favourite throw: Outside in backhand huck

How did you start playing ultimate?: I started as promise to one of my

PE teachers and i kept going training cause I loved Mary's happy

frisbee dance!

Favourite ultimate memory?: Attacking Mairead O'Meara after she got

the winning score against Poland on universe point at EYUC 2011

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC?: To be able to play a

week of intense ultimate and make fwisbee fwiends.

What other sports do you play?: Cross country running

Who's your sporting idol?: Rob Heffernan

Name: Molly O'Toole

Age: 19

Club/School/College: UCD

Home Town: Louisburgh, Co Mayo

Squad Number: 64

Offence or Defence?:  Offence

When did you start playing ultimate?: September 2011

Favourite throw: Flick

How did you start playing ultimate?: Thought it sounded fun during Freshers week

Favourite ultimate memory?: Winning Mixed IVs

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC?: Getting to know the team and having a blast :)

What other sports do you play?: GAA

Name: Niamh Carey

Age: 18

Club/School/College: Christ King, CUPA

Home Town: Middle of nowhere (aka downtown blarney)

Squad Number:14

Offence or Defence?: Offence

When did you start playing ultimate? :January 2011

Favourite throw: The McGrath

How did you start playing ultimate?: Making a pinky promise to Leah Driscoll that i'd go to one training session. Hucked ever since.

Favourite ultimate memory?: Playing our first game in eyuc last year in the olympic stadium. Can't beat the pride of wearing an Irish Jersey.

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC?: Playing against and watching other highly competitive teams. Come at me bro!

What other sports do you play?: Cross Country runner

Who's your sporting idol?: Catherina McKiernan

Name: Nicole Lynch

Age: 17

Club/School/College: Gaelcholaiste Choilm 

Home Town: Ballinhassig, Co. Cork.

Squad Number: 23

Offence or Defence?: Offence definitely!

When did you start playing ultimate?: Around October 2011

Favourite throw: Outside in flick or it could be inside out..either way they're both good :)

How did you start playing ultimate?: A guy who was in my school was playing in UCC & asked me to go to at least one training to try it out...so i did, and i guess you got the rest...:D

Favourite ultimate memory?: Throwing my first ever hammer at All Irelands to someone who had literally started playing for the first time hours before hand, and him catching it in the endzone in the only match we won that day!

What are you most looking forward to at WJUC?: Being a Ballymun Thug. But really, Frisbee Banter all the way, plus the experience against other world class teams will be lethal! :)

What other sports do you play?: None at the moment but i used to play football, camogie & hockey. :)

Who's your sporting idol?: Brian O' Driscoll ....

Name: Doireann Ní Mhuineachain

Age: 17

Club/School/College: Gaelcholaiste Choilm 

Home Town: Grenagh, Co Cork

Squad Number: 99

Name: Francesca Towers

Age: 19

Club/School/College: DCU

Home Town: Rush, Dublin

Squad Number: 13

Name: Kate Boylan

Age: 17

Club/School/College: Mount Sackville

Home Town:  Celbridge, Co Kildare

Squad Number: 95

            

2012 Exciting Times

Hi. So it's seven months since my last blog which marked the end of EYUC 2011 and Ireland's first ever Junior Women's team. Now we start afresh, with a new team, new challenges and the mouth watering prospect of a World Championships on home soil in August. Congratulations to Dominick Smyth and his team for winning the bid to host the tournament. The opportunities arising from such an event are endless, hopefully it will prove to be a real landmark for the development of ultimate in this country.

I'm very excited about this year's team. It's great to be coaching with Meabh again and I'm delighted that Mary McKee is on board. You'll be relieved to hear that they'll be covering "throwing" with the team. As for the players, it's great to welcome back seven from last years team. They've all immersed themselves in the sport since returning from Poland and they've all become much stronger players over the past six months as a result. Their experience will be invaluable as we look to improve on last year. Along with them are 13 new players, 8 third level students and 5 schools players. I'd like to thank those involved in the clubs, schools and colleges who contributed to the recruitment and coaching of these new players. Well done everyone!

Lastly, thanks to all those who tried out but weren't selected for the team. Unfortunately we can only pick so many players to play for Ireland, which means some people are inevitably left disappointed. All I can say is, don't let the decision of one group of people, at one point in time, decide your future in ultimate. Sport is full of stories of athletes who have refused to accept defeat or rejection and been inspired by the desire to prove people wrong. I only hope you can transfer a momentary disappointment into an inspiration that will drive you for years to come, and if you are eligible to try out again next year, please do so! 

I hope to get an updated team photo for the website at the next training weekend. Looking forward to keeping you up to speed with what promises to be a very exciting six months.  

Hobs

Thank You and Goodnight.

Hi Everyone,

Sadly this will be my last blog on EYUC 2011. I got back to Cork today having stayed with a friend in Shannon over night. The girls made a vociferous entrance into Shannon airport at about 10pm last night. It was great to see them all in such good spirits, reunited with friends and family. The rest of the team are flying to Dublin either today or at a later stage in the week. I think everyone really enjoyed the week in Poland, I certainly did. I'm really proud of how we performed over there, I think the girls took on board what we said about not letting their heads drop no matter what the scoreboard said, because throughout the entire week they all had smiles on their faces and gave it absolutely everything while they were on the pitch. They were a pleasure to coach and a credit to their schools and colleges, their families and their country. I'm really looking forward to either playing with them in the future or watching them develop into senior internationals which I have no doubt but some of them will. The majority of them are likely to become key members of the Cork ultimate community, of which I plan to be a part of for a very long time to come, so hopefully our paths will cross again in future.

I want to end the blog with a couple of thank yous. Firstly and most importantly thanks to the 18 girls who made up the squad, your enthusiasm throughout not only last week but the entire summer was infectious and made my life as a coach all the easier. It's always nice to work with people who are so eager to learn. Thanks also to Caoimhe and Meabh for all their work in admin, accounting and coaching capacities. Thanks to UCC ultimate for having such a well run schools initiative during the past year, without which this team would not have come about and lastly thanks to the parents of every girl on the team. I hope you continue to support and encourage your daughter(s) to play the sport. Experiences like the one they've had over the last week will stand to them for the rest of their lives. They've made new friendships, visited a new country and represented their country at international level and really enjoyed themselves while doing it. I think it's been a hugely positive week for all concerned and now that the first Irish Junior Women's team has been set up I can't wait to see it develop from here on.


Finally, I'd encourage all Irish ultimate players to become involved in developing the sport at an under age level. Get involved in coaching in a school, all it takes is a couple of hours of your week. If you can spare the time I guarantee that you will find it to be a rewarding experience. In my view, as it stands the sport is far too upper class as you have to go to university to be involved in the highest level of the game in this country. Clubs, colleges and individuals should all seek to get involved in schools of varying socio-economic and gender divides. If youth development is approached in a more arbitrary fashion I think the international teams will begin to reap the benefits within a very short period of time. I'm really excited about what Ireland can achieve at the next World Junior Ultimate Championships.

I look back at the U23 Mixed team that I played on this time last year. The women on that team had been playing for less than 12 months at that stage. A year later, Mary McKee (one of said women) won A-Game on the Irish senior women's team! That's what can be achieved with hard work and dedication on the part of players and coaches. If we all keep striving to improve the sport in this country then I have no doubt but Ireland can bring home a medal from a major championships some day.

The future is bright.

Come on you Girls in Green!

Hobs.