I wasn’t sure what to expect at training tonight. Normally the Monday after the tournament is a disaster and so I had intentionally stated it would be a light session to encourage lads. Fellas are weary from matches and drinking and most are usually another night sleep away from some level of normality. However, the bodies (19 in total) drifted into the BSB as 20h approached and the mood was good.
I’d had a few ball drills planned to start with and guys were moving enthusiastically so I decided to split the group to up the intensity for two conditioned games. I followed the same policy as last week, splitting it roughly A and B. This has the potential to be controversial. At one level, guys want to train with the lads they will be playing with. At another level, guys want to be given a shot to prove themselves with the A team. The latter is necessary not only to motivate the players but also to keep the sense of unity in the group.
We won’t always split the group as I recognise the above mentioned points and also the need for the so called B players to play at a higher level to help their development. It worked well tonight though as most guys looked like they were hanging at the end and a lot of that was due to the fact the teams were split the way they were.
It will be a challenge as the year goes on to satisfy everyone. The B team will want to work on their own stuff but we will face constraints in terms of pitch time and space. It will take some time to get the formula right but I’m sure we will get there.
Another point which I am paranoid about is how to keep the freshness throughout the year. Last year, we started stale and we stayed stale. I was pissed off going down taking sessions and wasn’t enjoying it as the more dedicated readers will have noted. Getting Conan and Rochey more involved in training is helping a lot and I hope they realise it and keep themselves available in the coming months.
The turnout and reaction tonight was positive and now we had into an enforced Easter break in good spirits.
Monday, March 29, 2010
The Curse of Amsterdam
We’ve never been too enamoured about going up to ‘the Dam’ for a tournament as it has an awful habit of tangling itself up with bad luck. Two years ago, Conan awoke to find his car, Betsy, stolen. It had been nicked over night, along with some of the football gear. On the same day, Alan and his car full of lads was stopped outside Antwerp. The cops asked for paperwork that Alan could not provide and took his car instead. Remarkably, the lads made their way into Antwerp and got the train up to the tournament. Results on the day were not bad for a first outing but we got a severe humbling from Luxembourg which showed how far we had to travel.
Last year, a late change of date left us with a skeleton squad. I watched from the sideline, restricted by a wonky ankle and was quickly joined by Conchur who received a far more serious ankle injury which would keep him out for the year. The tournament was a disaster as we barely made it over the line, in last place!!
06h45 Saturday morning and the inevitable text came through. Conan’s shop was broken into overnight. The gurriers had been apprehended and nothing was stolen apparently but there was still the mess of broken glass and all the undoubted paperwork that needed to be gone through.
On top of that we had the usual couple of MIA’s. Micky, Martin and Killian were nowhere to be seen for various reasons. With an initial travelling party of 34, we were able to handle the few inevitable withdrawals. It was a big day for us and everyone realised the importance of starting the year with a decent showing.
There was a quiet satisfaction as I observed our A team warming up in one corner of the field and our B team warming up in another. Last year the B’s looked like a motley crew in an old set of salmon pink jerseys. On Saturday though, both teams were properly kitted out in club jerseys, socks and shorts. With numbers bulging, the investment in another kit was an absolute necessity. It was great to watch the other teams come in and see two distinct Belgian teams. For the the first time, we did not have to move players between the squads for the day.
The A team ended up with 14 after the couple of the withdrawals mentioned above. We had a good mix of lads who were versatile to play in many positions and that was invaluable as the day went on. We have a depth in the squad now that allows us to rotate lads and that will only improve when we get a few more guys back.
We beat Belgium B in the first game having shaken off their first half resistance. Lux were up next and by and large we dominated this game but they were awarded a fairly outrageous penalty which kept a low scoring affair closer than it possibly should have been. Our inability to convert our scoring chances all day proved a big issue. However, most lads haven’t seen a set of goalposts since January so we can address that when we return to the Parc next week.
Having beaten Amsterdam in our third game, we were left needing a draw or better against Den Hague in the final group game. We were waiting for a crack at them since last November when they beat us for the 8th time on the trot. It is a statistic which is hard to swallow considering we did the exact same to them in ’08.
We’ve a far greater hunger and application this year and it showed from the off. Our performance was characterised best by the performance of Crusher. He had started the day in very rusty and tentative fashion. We were all conscious that he needed time to get back into the swing of things after his serious knee injury. Rochey, commander in chief for the day, proposed to give him a break for the Lux game. All of us have unlimited belief in the Kilkenny man and it was a tough call to judge what his reaction would be.
It proved a masterstroke. When he returned to the fray he appeared as an improved version of the 2008 model and got straight into destroying everything in sight. In the first Hague game especially, he was immense. The defining moment was when he was suspended mid air with his man, who had just gained possession. By the time they landed, Crusher had stolen the ball and the march on him.
Back to the Hague game, which turned out to be a real war of attrition with scores at a premium and tensions rising all the time. They are a tough physical team with some very capable footballers. We believe we can match them though but needed a performance to reflect that.
Our tactics were simple enough, Timmy to start in goal, with Alec to swap in there in the second half. Myself and Bourkey would man mark their two sharp shooters. Our wing forwards would rotate between Colin, Jim and Shane and would work themselves to a halt whilst on the pitch. It was a frantic game and I’m not quite sure where the winning point came from but I think it was Sheanon who slotted over while there was a bit of a shamozle going on down the other end.
Whilst the 0-4 to 0-3 score line ensured qualification for the final, we were fairly aware that it was a nothing game from the Hague’s point of view in the sense that they had already qualified. The final would surely be a different story.
They meant business and kicked 0-3 unanswered points before we registered a score. Just before half-time we got a stroke of luck when one of their players was dismissed for a dangerous tackle. Myself and Rochey have to put our hands up and say we made a balls of the spare man and didn’t utilise him well. I’ve played the role numerous times over the years but was engaged in my own battle with my man on Saturday and didn’t want to move. I’m still not sure was the free man Crusher, Colin, Hudson or Keary! Lesson learned.
We worked our way back into the game but could not quite get back to level scores. Our efforts to work back negated our attacking threat as Eoin was often left up top on his own and the support could not get up quick enough. The Hague were deserving of their victory in the end, on a score line of 0-4 to 0-2.
It’s never nice losing in a final but there was a lot to be taken from the day, considering how low we felt at the end of last year. Our work rate and endeavour could not be falted. The backs were miserly in terms of scores and concession of frees. We have plenty to do on handling, kicking and shooting but that will come. The raw materials are there and the squad will be supplemented by 5/6 more lads in the coming weeks.
We’d rather have had Rochey on the pitch but the job he did on the line was invaluable. For me, I could just go out and play; no collecting money, dealing with warm-ups or making substitutions. Another help was Eoin Sheanon, who will be our the captain for the year. He has the respect of the lads and led by example on Saturday. Our styles and opinions differ but it’s time for another influence on matters and I think it will work will.
I did not go into depth about the B performance (there will be report on the website). There are a few things to remember for the lads in my opinion. One is that they play in the strongest region in Europe, host to the European Champions for the last four years. Any experienced footballer in the club will be on the A’s most likely. So the learning curve for the lads is steep, especially when their opponents are always the clubs #1 team and sprinkled with handy footballers. The most important thing for the group to reflect on is the fact that they put some excellent passages of play together in the games. If you can do something once, you can do it twice and three times and so on. The goal is to compete in the shield later in the year. That’s what the team is building for and it must not lose focus of that or be demotivated. If you have the balls to face down the teams they did on Saturday and keep coming back for more than the tide will eventually turn.
So all in all it wasn’t a bad start to the year. We can drive on from here and will expect to do so in Den Haag on April 10.
Last year, a late change of date left us with a skeleton squad. I watched from the sideline, restricted by a wonky ankle and was quickly joined by Conchur who received a far more serious ankle injury which would keep him out for the year. The tournament was a disaster as we barely made it over the line, in last place!!
06h45 Saturday morning and the inevitable text came through. Conan’s shop was broken into overnight. The gurriers had been apprehended and nothing was stolen apparently but there was still the mess of broken glass and all the undoubted paperwork that needed to be gone through.
On top of that we had the usual couple of MIA’s. Micky, Martin and Killian were nowhere to be seen for various reasons. With an initial travelling party of 34, we were able to handle the few inevitable withdrawals. It was a big day for us and everyone realised the importance of starting the year with a decent showing.
There was a quiet satisfaction as I observed our A team warming up in one corner of the field and our B team warming up in another. Last year the B’s looked like a motley crew in an old set of salmon pink jerseys. On Saturday though, both teams were properly kitted out in club jerseys, socks and shorts. With numbers bulging, the investment in another kit was an absolute necessity. It was great to watch the other teams come in and see two distinct Belgian teams. For the the first time, we did not have to move players between the squads for the day.
The A team ended up with 14 after the couple of the withdrawals mentioned above. We had a good mix of lads who were versatile to play in many positions and that was invaluable as the day went on. We have a depth in the squad now that allows us to rotate lads and that will only improve when we get a few more guys back.
We beat Belgium B in the first game having shaken off their first half resistance. Lux were up next and by and large we dominated this game but they were awarded a fairly outrageous penalty which kept a low scoring affair closer than it possibly should have been. Our inability to convert our scoring chances all day proved a big issue. However, most lads haven’t seen a set of goalposts since January so we can address that when we return to the Parc next week.
Having beaten Amsterdam in our third game, we were left needing a draw or better against Den Hague in the final group game. We were waiting for a crack at them since last November when they beat us for the 8th time on the trot. It is a statistic which is hard to swallow considering we did the exact same to them in ’08.
We’ve a far greater hunger and application this year and it showed from the off. Our performance was characterised best by the performance of Crusher. He had started the day in very rusty and tentative fashion. We were all conscious that he needed time to get back into the swing of things after his serious knee injury. Rochey, commander in chief for the day, proposed to give him a break for the Lux game. All of us have unlimited belief in the Kilkenny man and it was a tough call to judge what his reaction would be.
It proved a masterstroke. When he returned to the fray he appeared as an improved version of the 2008 model and got straight into destroying everything in sight. In the first Hague game especially, he was immense. The defining moment was when he was suspended mid air with his man, who had just gained possession. By the time they landed, Crusher had stolen the ball and the march on him.
Back to the Hague game, which turned out to be a real war of attrition with scores at a premium and tensions rising all the time. They are a tough physical team with some very capable footballers. We believe we can match them though but needed a performance to reflect that.
Our tactics were simple enough, Timmy to start in goal, with Alec to swap in there in the second half. Myself and Bourkey would man mark their two sharp shooters. Our wing forwards would rotate between Colin, Jim and Shane and would work themselves to a halt whilst on the pitch. It was a frantic game and I’m not quite sure where the winning point came from but I think it was Sheanon who slotted over while there was a bit of a shamozle going on down the other end.
Whilst the 0-4 to 0-3 score line ensured qualification for the final, we were fairly aware that it was a nothing game from the Hague’s point of view in the sense that they had already qualified. The final would surely be a different story.
They meant business and kicked 0-3 unanswered points before we registered a score. Just before half-time we got a stroke of luck when one of their players was dismissed for a dangerous tackle. Myself and Rochey have to put our hands up and say we made a balls of the spare man and didn’t utilise him well. I’ve played the role numerous times over the years but was engaged in my own battle with my man on Saturday and didn’t want to move. I’m still not sure was the free man Crusher, Colin, Hudson or Keary! Lesson learned.
We worked our way back into the game but could not quite get back to level scores. Our efforts to work back negated our attacking threat as Eoin was often left up top on his own and the support could not get up quick enough. The Hague were deserving of their victory in the end, on a score line of 0-4 to 0-2.
It’s never nice losing in a final but there was a lot to be taken from the day, considering how low we felt at the end of last year. Our work rate and endeavour could not be falted. The backs were miserly in terms of scores and concession of frees. We have plenty to do on handling, kicking and shooting but that will come. The raw materials are there and the squad will be supplemented by 5/6 more lads in the coming weeks.
We’d rather have had Rochey on the pitch but the job he did on the line was invaluable. For me, I could just go out and play; no collecting money, dealing with warm-ups or making substitutions. Another help was Eoin Sheanon, who will be our the captain for the year. He has the respect of the lads and led by example on Saturday. Our styles and opinions differ but it’s time for another influence on matters and I think it will work will.
I did not go into depth about the B performance (there will be report on the website). There are a few things to remember for the lads in my opinion. One is that they play in the strongest region in Europe, host to the European Champions for the last four years. Any experienced footballer in the club will be on the A’s most likely. So the learning curve for the lads is steep, especially when their opponents are always the clubs #1 team and sprinkled with handy footballers. The most important thing for the group to reflect on is the fact that they put some excellent passages of play together in the games. If you can do something once, you can do it twice and three times and so on. The goal is to compete in the shield later in the year. That’s what the team is building for and it must not lose focus of that or be demotivated. If you have the balls to face down the teams they did on Saturday and keep coming back for more than the tide will eventually turn.
So all in all it wasn’t a bad start to the year. We can drive on from here and will expect to do so in Den Haag on April 10.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Amsterdam Football Preview
Normally our pre-tournament email goes out around the Wednesday beforehand. However, it’s Thursday night now and we still haven’t pushed the button. We have unprecedented numbers this year, despite not having moved back into our training base in Parc50 yet. On Saturday we will bring up to 33 players to Amsterdam. It’s phenomenal when you realise we are missing a few stalwarts like Emmett, David Collins, Olof, Denis and a good few more. If even 4 more fellas were available, we’d be looking down the barrel at a third team.
It makes last year’s pain all worthwhile. We recognised we had too many for one team and set our stall out to field a second team, something which no other club has pulled off on a regular basis. The opportunity to do so is there in Brussels as our city is smaller than say, Paris, and lads can access training easier. Still, it was a constant struggle. We pulled it off though and the benefit was seen at training.
Because fellas got game time last year, we have kept them on board and they have now been supplemented with more recruits. So, tomorrow we travel with two bumper squads. Wealth often comes with complications though and we will do well to keep everything on an even keel this year.
The most obvious is the selection dilemma. Last year, the line between A and B was pretty clear. However, hand on heart, this year it is more of a struggle to see where it lies. Not only do we have subs on the A team who I’d expect would be able to pull their weight; we have also had to leave a few lads off the A’s who are pushing hard.
The A/B or first/second team issues are something which exist in every club. There will always be differences of opinions on selections and not everyone will always be happy. Our club is in its healthiest state ever and how we manage these potential issues is of great importance. We will be two competing squads on Saturday but we must remember that we will travel as one club and we must maintain the togetherness that has made our club what it is.
It’s fair to say I’m less willing to bend on selection and other things this year. Last season hurt a lot. I train the team and when we don’t perform, for whatever reason, it gets to me. We’ll go all out this year. It’s all very well to grow your numbers but you need success to sustain it. Our challenges are formidable but we’re building nicely on all fronts. Amsterdam is the start but whatever happens it won’t be the end.
It makes last year’s pain all worthwhile. We recognised we had too many for one team and set our stall out to field a second team, something which no other club has pulled off on a regular basis. The opportunity to do so is there in Brussels as our city is smaller than say, Paris, and lads can access training easier. Still, it was a constant struggle. We pulled it off though and the benefit was seen at training.
Because fellas got game time last year, we have kept them on board and they have now been supplemented with more recruits. So, tomorrow we travel with two bumper squads. Wealth often comes with complications though and we will do well to keep everything on an even keel this year.
The most obvious is the selection dilemma. Last year, the line between A and B was pretty clear. However, hand on heart, this year it is more of a struggle to see where it lies. Not only do we have subs on the A team who I’d expect would be able to pull their weight; we have also had to leave a few lads off the A’s who are pushing hard.
The A/B or first/second team issues are something which exist in every club. There will always be differences of opinions on selections and not everyone will always be happy. Our club is in its healthiest state ever and how we manage these potential issues is of great importance. We will be two competing squads on Saturday but we must remember that we will travel as one club and we must maintain the togetherness that has made our club what it is.
It’s fair to say I’m less willing to bend on selection and other things this year. Last season hurt a lot. I train the team and when we don’t perform, for whatever reason, it gets to me. We’ll go all out this year. It’s all very well to grow your numbers but you need success to sustain it. Our challenges are formidable but we’re building nicely on all fronts. Amsterdam is the start but whatever happens it won’t be the end.
Clare Island IV - Eatin & Dhrinkin
From the Rugby it was straight up the hill to the Gill compound. I’m still not sure how many people stayed in the house on Saturday night but it was probably enough to field a team. The hospitality was only splendid! God bless his mother for welcoming a host of beastly men into her family home.
Straight down to the community centre where a meal worthy of far more esteemed guests than us was laid on. The plates were returned as spotless as they were first received. Even an eater as pick as myself cleaned his!
There was an almighty lull then as the days’ football and the big meal took its toll. Fortunately it was interrupted by an exhibition of irish dancing (set dancing?). Top notch stuff. We sat there in awe at the footwork and control. Still, they couldn’t sustain that for the night so enter Colin Byrne and the Jaegerbomb(s). What happened thereafter will go down as yet another great night in Belgium G.A.A.!
If I ever manage to upload the pictures, they will tell the story of Clare Island. My only regret is we didn’t mix enough with the Clare Island lads more. As our travelling party grows we tend to stay within our own company more. I don’t think it’s a conscious thing but we’re all good friends now so the banter is good.
We rounded each other up somewhere around 5am to head back to the compound. The first 100m didn’t bode well as we all stood bamboozled by the stars. I’m used to it from home but when you live in a city you forget about them. Crusher couldn’t hold back the emotion; “some night, savage craic, you wouldn’t bait that with a shtick”. He was still ranting when we got back to our bunk.
The story goes that I recalled the previous evening’s activities to Olof’s mother the next morning in the kitchen, stood there in my towel! A magnificent breakfast was presented to us and set us up nicely for the 11am boat back to the mainland. Myself and Crusher trudged off down the hill in awe of our surroundings.
I headed for Shannon in a convoy with the bomber, Clare, Sylvia, Jane, Caoimhe, Grainne and Laura. The countryside up there is fairly impressive. I hadn’t been there since I was a nipper but will definitely be paying the place another visit in the not too distant future. All in all, it was a great weekend, despite it being too short.
Straight down to the community centre where a meal worthy of far more esteemed guests than us was laid on. The plates were returned as spotless as they were first received. Even an eater as pick as myself cleaned his!
There was an almighty lull then as the days’ football and the big meal took its toll. Fortunately it was interrupted by an exhibition of irish dancing (set dancing?). Top notch stuff. We sat there in awe at the footwork and control. Still, they couldn’t sustain that for the night so enter Colin Byrne and the Jaegerbomb(s). What happened thereafter will go down as yet another great night in Belgium G.A.A.!
If I ever manage to upload the pictures, they will tell the story of Clare Island. My only regret is we didn’t mix enough with the Clare Island lads more. As our travelling party grows we tend to stay within our own company more. I don’t think it’s a conscious thing but we’re all good friends now so the banter is good.
We rounded each other up somewhere around 5am to head back to the compound. The first 100m didn’t bode well as we all stood bamboozled by the stars. I’m used to it from home but when you live in a city you forget about them. Crusher couldn’t hold back the emotion; “some night, savage craic, you wouldn’t bait that with a shtick”. He was still ranting when we got back to our bunk.
The story goes that I recalled the previous evening’s activities to Olof’s mother the next morning in the kitchen, stood there in my towel! A magnificent breakfast was presented to us and set us up nicely for the 11am boat back to the mainland. Myself and Crusher trudged off down the hill in awe of our surroundings.
I headed for Shannon in a convoy with the bomber, Clare, Sylvia, Jane, Caoimhe, Grainne and Laura. The countryside up there is fairly impressive. I hadn’t been there since I was a nipper but will definitely be paying the place another visit in the not too distant future. All in all, it was a great weekend, despite it being too short.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Clare Island III - Belgian Ladies Swarm Island
Onwards and upwards for the Belgian G.A.A. ladies as they swept all before them at the weekend. The Fingalian experience of a week earlier, where they came up against their strongest opponent to date, seemed to do little damage as they refocused and claimed yet another trophy for themselves.
In the corresponding tournament in Brussels a year earlier, they weren't able to match their Irish opponents speed and skill and limped away with plenty to think about. Enter Caragh O'Connor. Have the green flag at the ready. Caragh was expecting Darragh this time last year but she is back in full swing now. Her link up play with The Bomber was highly effective. Caoimhe was her usual industrious self at midfield and had able support from Irene, who showed little reaction to her broken toe.
The Simonis crowd of Jane, Clare and Sylvia hoovered up their share of ball and Sylvia even found a few opportunities to wag the finger at some Casements girls. Anytime the opposition did raid the girls' half, they came up against a brick wall in the form of Grainne. Thou shalt not pass. A first tropy secured under Coach Whiskerds reign and the tone is set for 2010.
In the corresponding tournament in Brussels a year earlier, they weren't able to match their Irish opponents speed and skill and limped away with plenty to think about. Enter Caragh O'Connor. Have the green flag at the ready. Caragh was expecting Darragh this time last year but she is back in full swing now. Her link up play with The Bomber was highly effective. Caoimhe was her usual industrious self at midfield and had able support from Irene, who showed little reaction to her broken toe.
The Simonis crowd of Jane, Clare and Sylvia hoovered up their share of ball and Sylvia even found a few opportunities to wag the finger at some Casements girls. Anytime the opposition did raid the girls' half, they came up against a brick wall in the form of Grainne. Thou shalt not pass. A first tropy secured under Coach Whiskerds reign and the tone is set for 2010.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Clare Island II - The Football
Distance travelled to play hurling and football is of no concern to European G.A.A. players. As a result, the 1000+km journey we had undertaken by the time we set foot on the pier on Clare Island, was of no consequence to the travelling party. Initially, as you walk from the boat, only the top of the uprights are visible over the top of the hill. As you get closer though, more and more of the pitch comes within sight. The setting is surreal but just as I imagined it. Here you are, standing on a football pitch on an Island off the west coast of Ireland, surrounded by the Atlantic ocean and the rocky island terrain. We had arrived at our battlefield and two Clare Island teams and another from Roger Casements stood awaiting our arrival.
Our travelling army was vastly depleted but as you can imagine, any lad who travels that far, does so with a belly full of fire. As you grow older and more experienced, you realise who you have does not matter so much, what matters more is what the fellas who are there with you, have inside them. We had some reinforcements in the former of Eoghan Kelly. I may read too much into it but I'm guessing the fact that Eoghan got into a car on Friday afternoon and drive north from Cork to play football with his former Belgian teammates, says a lot about his experience in Belgium and how he feels about the club. Kelly was a great lad to have on board and travelled religiously from Antwerp to train, he was an example to all.
We had one of the Keary clan in tow too but even with them, Clare Island A had too much for us in the opening game. We were very very poor to be fair and struggled to adapt to the big pitch and more crisp football of our All Island All-Ireland Champion opponents. We went down 3-5 to 0-3. However, the 0-3 we crafted were top notch moves so there was hope. Next up were Casements in what was likely to be the decisive game in deciding Clare Island's final opponents. Again, we laboured. The game turned on a disputed goal when we won a free on the 20. Casements argued it and we took it quickly, sending it to the back of the net. Victory would be ours.
Clare Island B were up next. We definitely didn't underestimate them but at the same time we didn't expect such prolonged resistance. Any arrogance was quickly knocked out of us. Big Jim's free taking may have lacked style but not accuracy. The Tipp man guided us home.
That set-up a finale with the hosts' A team. I'd been content all day with just making sure we got to the final. There is no doubt we were struggling with fatigue and the like but a final is a final and you must go out and give it a lash. I needed a pick-me-up. Olof Gill (in a Clare Island jersey) would provide it. His high fielding and piercing runs proved a thorn in opponents sides all day. I decided marking him would deprive me of a place to hide. Our tactics were simple, two of our forwards, Colin and Alan, would get behind the ball as much as possible when we were defending. When we attacked Big Jim and Ruairi would hold it up and wait for the support. It worked a treat. We had limited attacking possession but only trailed at half-time due to a last minute goal; 0-1 to 1-0.
By all accounts, there was an element of panic in our hosts half-time huddle. They'd squandered chances and were struggling with our crowding. Fair play to Padraic O'Malley though, they got it right in the second half. Our tactics were only going to work if we kept their score to a minimum as we would struggle to support our attacks with so many behind the ball. They hunted us down and when I kicked a free straight to their midfielder, he sent it straight back over my head and his teammate dispatched it to the back of the net. Game over effectively.
Still, I was not so disappointed with our performance. We executed the game plan and emptied the tanks. Conor, Keary, Colin and Jim had excelled. As for myself and Giller, well, we probably broke even. I managed to restrict his fielding by keeping him close to our goal for the kick-outs but watching his runs meant I could contribute little going forward. We had no complaints about the defeat and could be proud of our efforts.
Our travelling army was vastly depleted but as you can imagine, any lad who travels that far, does so with a belly full of fire. As you grow older and more experienced, you realise who you have does not matter so much, what matters more is what the fellas who are there with you, have inside them. We had some reinforcements in the former of Eoghan Kelly. I may read too much into it but I'm guessing the fact that Eoghan got into a car on Friday afternoon and drive north from Cork to play football with his former Belgian teammates, says a lot about his experience in Belgium and how he feels about the club. Kelly was a great lad to have on board and travelled religiously from Antwerp to train, he was an example to all.
We had one of the Keary clan in tow too but even with them, Clare Island A had too much for us in the opening game. We were very very poor to be fair and struggled to adapt to the big pitch and more crisp football of our All Island All-Ireland Champion opponents. We went down 3-5 to 0-3. However, the 0-3 we crafted were top notch moves so there was hope. Next up were Casements in what was likely to be the decisive game in deciding Clare Island's final opponents. Again, we laboured. The game turned on a disputed goal when we won a free on the 20. Casements argued it and we took it quickly, sending it to the back of the net. Victory would be ours.
Clare Island B were up next. We definitely didn't underestimate them but at the same time we didn't expect such prolonged resistance. Any arrogance was quickly knocked out of us. Big Jim's free taking may have lacked style but not accuracy. The Tipp man guided us home.
That set-up a finale with the hosts' A team. I'd been content all day with just making sure we got to the final. There is no doubt we were struggling with fatigue and the like but a final is a final and you must go out and give it a lash. I needed a pick-me-up. Olof Gill (in a Clare Island jersey) would provide it. His high fielding and piercing runs proved a thorn in opponents sides all day. I decided marking him would deprive me of a place to hide. Our tactics were simple, two of our forwards, Colin and Alan, would get behind the ball as much as possible when we were defending. When we attacked Big Jim and Ruairi would hold it up and wait for the support. It worked a treat. We had limited attacking possession but only trailed at half-time due to a last minute goal; 0-1 to 1-0.
By all accounts, there was an element of panic in our hosts half-time huddle. They'd squandered chances and were struggling with our crowding. Fair play to Padraic O'Malley though, they got it right in the second half. Our tactics were only going to work if we kept their score to a minimum as we would struggle to support our attacks with so many behind the ball. They hunted us down and when I kicked a free straight to their midfielder, he sent it straight back over my head and his teammate dispatched it to the back of the net. Game over effectively.
Still, I was not so disappointed with our performance. We executed the game plan and emptied the tanks. Conor, Keary, Colin and Jim had excelled. As for myself and Giller, well, we probably broke even. I managed to restrict his fielding by keeping him close to our goal for the kick-outs but watching his runs meant I could contribute little going forward. We had no complaints about the defeat and could be proud of our efforts.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Clare Island I - The Shpin
One blog cannot tell the story of 24hrs on Clare Island, so to try and do it justice, I have to break it up into multiple entries. It was unforgettable; the journey, the football, the night, the singing, the dancing, the people and the hospitality of the Gill family. We've strengthened our bond with Clare Island G.A.A. further. It's like a match made in heaven.
On the very odd occasion, I’ve probably been accused of being a self righteous little bollicks who values his own opinion above all others and will seldom leave an argument graciously. It’s probably half true which makes Friday a humiliating experience.
I had a day off and whilst sauntering around the apartment I decided it might be a good idea to check in for my flight. No problem outbound but I ran into some difficulties inbound. It turned out I booked my flight for the Sunday morning at 06h50. With just two boats to and from the Island a day, the dream looked dead.
I went for lunch with Colin Byrne and told him my sob story. He argued that it was a trip I could not miss, I argued I was skint and couldn’t afford the flight at short notice. I’d written a blog that morning about how the trip and how the mammoth journey just had to be taken for various reasons. Byrno sent it back to me and Alan Rowan followed up by phone from Longford. Looking back, I can’t believe I let the small issue of money nearly make me miss the trip.
In the end, Byrno just booked the flight and sent it on to me (for which he will be fully reimbursed). Decision made, bag packed. We headed on the Friday evening flight to Dublin with a few others. Cluxton was in town on business so we met him at the airport. Congrats were required as he just announced that he and his lovely wife Emily are due to become parents in September. It’s hard to believe because he’s like a 12 year old in a 12 year olds body (even though he is 31!). He’s also a pest and he was sitting behind me the whole way home, poking me and asking me questions. Still, you could only miss the man.
Upon arrival in Dublin, we had to go feed Colin Byrne’s horses in Fingal and also pick up his wife to be (lovely just like Emily!) Denise. We turned and faced Westport shortly before 11pm. I don’t know how Byrno drove it. I was bait out in the back seat and struggling to muster banter to help him out. We hit Longford around 1am to find a girl at the side of the road with a flat tyre. I’d say she was a bit nervous when she said our heads pop out of the car but we were able to rescue her and get her back on the road.
Approx 62km out, the petrol light came on. This isn’t Belgium where you can get petrol night and day; this is the Wesht. We took a deep breath and considered throwing Cluxton out to reduce the load and save some fuel. As miracles would have it, we made it. So did Cluxton.
The Westport Woods Hotel. €35 a man with breakfast. It gets the thumbs up. Don’t share with Cluxton though. The man is renowned for being afraid of the dark and only being able to sleep with the telly on. Still, we only had 5hrs, so it just had to be done.
10h30 Saturday morning and we arrive at the pier in Roonagh. Belgium G.A.A. was there is force. The Guinness lorry sped past to load the boat with fuel for the night. We wondered would there be a second one coming!!The mother of all journeys from Brussels to the pier was behind us. In the distance sat the famed Clare Island. Time to board the ferry and play some ball.........
On the very odd occasion, I’ve probably been accused of being a self righteous little bollicks who values his own opinion above all others and will seldom leave an argument graciously. It’s probably half true which makes Friday a humiliating experience.
I had a day off and whilst sauntering around the apartment I decided it might be a good idea to check in for my flight. No problem outbound but I ran into some difficulties inbound. It turned out I booked my flight for the Sunday morning at 06h50. With just two boats to and from the Island a day, the dream looked dead.
I went for lunch with Colin Byrne and told him my sob story. He argued that it was a trip I could not miss, I argued I was skint and couldn’t afford the flight at short notice. I’d written a blog that morning about how the trip and how the mammoth journey just had to be taken for various reasons. Byrno sent it back to me and Alan Rowan followed up by phone from Longford. Looking back, I can’t believe I let the small issue of money nearly make me miss the trip.
In the end, Byrno just booked the flight and sent it on to me (for which he will be fully reimbursed). Decision made, bag packed. We headed on the Friday evening flight to Dublin with a few others. Cluxton was in town on business so we met him at the airport. Congrats were required as he just announced that he and his lovely wife Emily are due to become parents in September. It’s hard to believe because he’s like a 12 year old in a 12 year olds body (even though he is 31!). He’s also a pest and he was sitting behind me the whole way home, poking me and asking me questions. Still, you could only miss the man.
Upon arrival in Dublin, we had to go feed Colin Byrne’s horses in Fingal and also pick up his wife to be (lovely just like Emily!) Denise. We turned and faced Westport shortly before 11pm. I don’t know how Byrno drove it. I was bait out in the back seat and struggling to muster banter to help him out. We hit Longford around 1am to find a girl at the side of the road with a flat tyre. I’d say she was a bit nervous when she said our heads pop out of the car but we were able to rescue her and get her back on the road.
Approx 62km out, the petrol light came on. This isn’t Belgium where you can get petrol night and day; this is the Wesht. We took a deep breath and considered throwing Cluxton out to reduce the load and save some fuel. As miracles would have it, we made it. So did Cluxton.
The Westport Woods Hotel. €35 a man with breakfast. It gets the thumbs up. Don’t share with Cluxton though. The man is renowned for being afraid of the dark and only being able to sleep with the telly on. Still, we only had 5hrs, so it just had to be done.
10h30 Saturday morning and we arrive at the pier in Roonagh. Belgium G.A.A. was there is force. The Guinness lorry sped past to load the boat with fuel for the night. We wondered would there be a second one coming!!The mother of all journeys from Brussels to the pier was behind us. In the distance sat the famed Clare Island. Time to board the ferry and play some ball.........
Thursday, March 18, 2010
In Search of that Spirit
I don't ever remember being overly enthusiastic about celebrating St. Patrick's Day but this year I bought into it lock stock. From the sports day in the Parc on Sunday, to the impromptu session in The Oak that night and on to the mayhem in The Oak on Paddys Day itself. The energy created by the wave of community spirit which swept Brussels was immense I keep saying it but the Irish community here is becoming more and more integrated and it creates a great buzz.
With Ireland's urbanisation, that community spirit has been eroded and become more difficult to recognise at home. It may be fair to say that Paddys Day is now more of an experience abroad where people make a far greated effort to come together and celebrate all things good about Ireland.
This weekend I expect to see our country in its truest form however. Belgium G.A.A. has given myself and my teammates the opportunity to see all sorts of places in Europe and even as far east as Dubai. This trip may top them all. On Saturday morning the bones of 30 Belgium G.A.A. members will board a ferry in Roonagh, destined for Clare Island, home of Olof Gill.
Timewise and financially, it is not an easy journey to make. We will land in Dublin tomorrow night shortly before 22h and head for Westport. On Saturday morning, we will take the 10h ferry to the island and return on the 16h Sunday sailing. The final leg will be the red eye flight Monday morning which should land us at our desks by 10h. Its a mammoth journey but one which is an absolute must for the club to take.
Last year we hosted Clare Island and Roger Casements of Coventry. It was a massive occassion for Olof and we had a fantastic weekend of football, music and drinking!! The Islanders were a great group to host and it was great hearing about their way of life on the island and feeling the passion they have for their home place.
It was a must that we repay their efforts in coming to visit us and also important to support Olof's quest to bring his adopted team home to 'the rock'. We will be joined there by some old friends in the form of daddy-to-be Cluxton and also Eoghan Kelly. It promises to be another epic journey in the life of our club.
With Ireland's urbanisation, that community spirit has been eroded and become more difficult to recognise at home. It may be fair to say that Paddys Day is now more of an experience abroad where people make a far greated effort to come together and celebrate all things good about Ireland.
This weekend I expect to see our country in its truest form however. Belgium G.A.A. has given myself and my teammates the opportunity to see all sorts of places in Europe and even as far east as Dubai. This trip may top them all. On Saturday morning the bones of 30 Belgium G.A.A. members will board a ferry in Roonagh, destined for Clare Island, home of Olof Gill.
Timewise and financially, it is not an easy journey to make. We will land in Dublin tomorrow night shortly before 22h and head for Westport. On Saturday morning, we will take the 10h ferry to the island and return on the 16h Sunday sailing. The final leg will be the red eye flight Monday morning which should land us at our desks by 10h. Its a mammoth journey but one which is an absolute must for the club to take.
Last year we hosted Clare Island and Roger Casements of Coventry. It was a massive occassion for Olof and we had a fantastic weekend of football, music and drinking!! The Islanders were a great group to host and it was great hearing about their way of life on the island and feeling the passion they have for their home place.
It was a must that we repay their efforts in coming to visit us and also important to support Olof's quest to bring his adopted team home to 'the rock'. We will be joined there by some old friends in the form of daddy-to-be Cluxton and also Eoghan Kelly. It promises to be another epic journey in the life of our club.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Our Dirty Little Secret
Belgium G.A.A. and FC Irlande are in bed together. It's unimaginable in many ways to have a soccer club and a G.A.A. club aligned in so many ways and working jointly on so many different ventures. Recently it was the Haiti appeal, which raised a massive €60k. Tomorrow it is the now annual Paddy's Day (www.paddysday.be) bash in the Parc.
However, it goes back further. When we started the football in 2008, the G.A.A. club was in a much less healthy state facility wise and financially. With nowhere to conduct our pre-season training, FCI often let us use one of their two pitches to train on. They also allowed our players participate in their physical training.
An important factor in this was the fact that we shared so many dual players who were in committee or captain positions; myself, Denis, Conchur, Emmett, Enda, Alec and so on. FCI gave us exposure to their players by letting us train alongside them. It showed the confidence they had in their club that believed they could cope with the potential G.A.A. threat. We were starting out then and maybe didn't have the confidence to reciprocate the gestures.
As we've grown, we have worked more and more closely, possibly indicating our increasing confidence in our own club. The Paddys Day do is in its third year in the Parc and now incorporates mens/ladies soccer, hurling, gaelic football and also the kids GAA. The organising committee sees our members work side by side.
We are also starting to work together on other things like the soon to be agreed gym Membership with World Class Fitness. We negotiated the deal under the one umbrella and in getting such a good deal, it demonstrates how effective our clubs can be when working together.
At home, competing clubs view eachother with a degree of contempt. It's rooted in history. They fear the player drain to eachothers codes. In Brussels our hand is forced. We all pull from the same small pot and we all have relatively limited resources and uncertain futures due to the transient nature of the place.
Fortunately, we have some brilliant and mature people involved in both clubs who see the benefit of the clubs working in tandum. Belgium G.A.A. no longer feel like second class citizens (not that FCI ever made them feel like that) in the relationship. With that feeling of equality comes a great willingness to express ideas and that can only benefit both clubs. The relationship has achieved so much in such a short space of time but one feels it's still only the beginning.
However, it goes back further. When we started the football in 2008, the G.A.A. club was in a much less healthy state facility wise and financially. With nowhere to conduct our pre-season training, FCI often let us use one of their two pitches to train on. They also allowed our players participate in their physical training.
An important factor in this was the fact that we shared so many dual players who were in committee or captain positions; myself, Denis, Conchur, Emmett, Enda, Alec and so on. FCI gave us exposure to their players by letting us train alongside them. It showed the confidence they had in their club that believed they could cope with the potential G.A.A. threat. We were starting out then and maybe didn't have the confidence to reciprocate the gestures.
As we've grown, we have worked more and more closely, possibly indicating our increasing confidence in our own club. The Paddys Day do is in its third year in the Parc and now incorporates mens/ladies soccer, hurling, gaelic football and also the kids GAA. The organising committee sees our members work side by side.
We are also starting to work together on other things like the soon to be agreed gym Membership with World Class Fitness. We negotiated the deal under the one umbrella and in getting such a good deal, it demonstrates how effective our clubs can be when working together.
At home, competing clubs view eachother with a degree of contempt. It's rooted in history. They fear the player drain to eachothers codes. In Brussels our hand is forced. We all pull from the same small pot and we all have relatively limited resources and uncertain futures due to the transient nature of the place.
Fortunately, we have some brilliant and mature people involved in both clubs who see the benefit of the clubs working in tandum. Belgium G.A.A. no longer feel like second class citizens (not that FCI ever made them feel like that) in the relationship. With that feeling of equality comes a great willingness to express ideas and that can only benefit both clubs. The relationship has achieved so much in such a short space of time but one feels it's still only the beginning.
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