Shield Steps From Shadows

Rapid growth in Year 1 meant that we were well ahead of our plan in playing numbers when we landed in Maastricht in November 2008. That day we fielded two teams for the first time.

In 2009 we needed to consider whether we should persist with fielding a second team and we decided we had to. It would benefit everyone as we would have more players at training and more people involved in the club. Also, if we didn't we would lose the marginal lads. It was a big struggle though as you really need at least 26 lads travelling to allow both teams have subs and survive the day. Also, from the organisation side it adds a hefty weight to the burden.

Last year, we achieved our aim to field a second team in all the tournaments but did so without much success. The team was ragball-rovers-esque, playing in a beaten up set of jerseys from bygone days and fielding random characters regularly. Doors had to be knocked on, lads had to be dragged from beds and on occasion we even needed to recruit one or two on the day. There were so few glimmers of light it was admirable that the team kept stepping up to the plate with enthusiasm and will.

Back in March, we played up in Amsterdam, again with two teams. The first game would be between the two Belgium teams. Both togged in Belgium jerseys but this year the club had bought a second set, in red. It kind of rubber stamped the existence of this team. We made another decision that would negatively affect the team when we decided that the A team would no longer allow its subs to play down (or whichever way you say it to stay within the rules). It (paying up and down) had benefited no-one and meant that some guys would play too much and the subs on the Shield team would play too little. There were no complaints, the lads just got on with it.

Through Benelux, they fought gallantly in the toughest of regions (with 3 seasoned Championship teams). In Luxembourg, they claimed 3rd place, beating the hosts in the 3rd/4th playoff. It was coming together and they were heading for the Shield in buoyant form. Round 1 would take place in Munich. The team was down a host of regulars and struggled up front for long periods. They did manage to get their first win against Copenhagen and the copious amount of possession in other games (even if not reflected on scoreboard) bode well for the future.

Budapest was the latest outing at the weekend. Despite missing a wealth of decent players, the team had a hardy luck to it. Ross Church would make his debut and Ricky would move from Championship to Shield panel at the last minute due to Alec's missed flight. A tough group with Vienna, Copenhagen (winners of previous two Shields) and Amsterdam lay in wait.

Ricky struck late against Vienna for an opening win and that was followed with a 2-2 to 0-8 draw with Copenhagen in a game we should really have won. The group was very tight and even with two going through, whoever won the Amsterdam game would qualify. The losers would go out. Our lads were not to be denied, winning by a point.

A semi against Warsaw was next up but the detail has been lost through some beery memory loss. As we were in different locations, we couldn't see all of each other’s matches. Apparently Warsaw had one unbelievable guy and he ran wreck. Despite this, the lads could again have stolen the show with a couple of late goal chances.

Winning the group represents serious progress though. The team now has a realistic chance of winning the Shield out down in Maastricht. With many faces due to return, it should ensure training will be lively between now and then.

I could only manage to see only one game but heard many positive reports about the performances of Fergal, Hough, Andrew and Ricky especially. Also, only two goals conceded was an excellent reflection on the defence and RumAdrian. Onwards and upwards towards Maastricht.