Youth Triumphs

A youthful Hague outfit reigned supreme down in Budapest this weekend. Bolstered by a recent influx of young fellas, they had more hurling and mobility than ourselves, Zurich and Budapest.

We had to travel with just 11 players due to Yann and Daire Cott’s late withdrawals. It could have been worse only for Darragh Cotter and Ciaran Kelly booked flights late last week to make up a team. Having just 11 players was going to be challenging enough but to lose our captain, Crusher, only minutes into our opening game was a cruel blow.

He was on the wrong end of an outrageous pull that left both his legs badly marked but worse still, it was the knee where he had a cruciate op that got the brunt of it. There was no-one on any team in any doubt that it should have been a red card. Amazingly it was only a yellow. Crusher didn’t get his nickname for being a shrinking violet and the longer he was on the ground roaring, the more the life seemed to drain from us.

The game continued and we had to call on a Zimbabwean from the Budapest team to stand in full forward. The game was anyone’s for much of the second have but a combination of a lapse in concentration and a fantastic goal gave Zurich the platform for a deserved win.

We recovered to beat Budapest in the next game and points difference meant that a win against Hague would put us ahead of Zurich and we would qualify for the final. However that was a steep hill to climb as The Hague had already taken Zurich apart and were looking strong.

I didn’t need any more motivation but hearing an opposition player questioning whether Hague had slaughtered us yet helped me along. Crusher drives us on with his play and now the rest of us needed to pick up the baton. We also needed to remember how long we had travelled around taking beatings and how hard it was to get to the point where we were winning Championships. We needed to muster a performance to try and keep the dream of three-in-a-row alive. Those messages hit the right buttons and we made a game of it from the off, playing with the kind of intent that was lacking all year.

We had become 11 Belgian players again with the addition of Irene Kirwan from the ladies. She played full forward and looked to create space and hoover up loose ball. She got herself into some great positions but the pass never arrived.

The bit of luck you need to win wasn’t with us. Hague scored a point that was clearly wide and in fairness, their player even called it so. The point was given. In the second half Shane Ryan went for goal from a free and he was certain it was saved behind the line even if others weren’t sure. If those decisions were in reverse, the 1-7 to 0-8 score line may have been altered in our favour. Such decisions are part of the game though and you must believe they will even themselves out.

The game had another unfortunate incident when one of The Hague’s wingbacks damaged his shoulder and had to be taken from the pitch. The lad had just arrived this week to work for one of their lads but will now return to Ireland. They were livid, but Darragh Cotter who was involved in it hasn’t a cynical bone in his body so there was certainly no intent. We wish him a speedy recovery.

The result left us to play in the 3rd/4th place playoff against Budapest. After a shaky start, we pulled away in the second half thanks mainly to a hat full of Hough goals and an impressive cameo from Elaine in the second half.

Hague went on to win the final easily against Zurich, who like ourselves were down to the bare bones by the end of the day. It means they effectively have one hand on the trophy.

Best for us on the day were Willie in goal, Darragh Cotter and Keary at the back along with Shane in midfield. Fergal Mythen, at 43, also put in a good shift at full-back.

I had another nightmare. I could count on one hand the amount of balls I got to hand with the first touch and my striking was inconsistent. I was out in front to high balls but by connections weren’t solid and more frustratingly, my markers kept playing the hurley and getting away with it every time. It’s hard to put a finger on why I’ve dipped so much but it needs solving fast!

The tournament was run off by 16h so for once we were able to get out and about early in the evening. That meant we headed to see the Munster game before moving onto the dinner. Budapest is a lively spot and back in 2008 we found a great bar but could never locate it since. We managed to on Saturday night and most of the teams ended up there. It’s always good to catch up with lads you’d have been playing against for the last few years. I had a good chat with Billy from Na Piarsaigh (Cork) and Zurich. He still hasn’t told me whether his lovely Swiss wife has a sister or not and on this occasion was more interested in telling me about his new baby daughter! I’ll get it out of him eventually.

There were still lads sneaking back in until 6am but we were all up to head to the baths at 10. I’d say the locals are still scared by the sight of a load of pale hung-over Irish lads storming their sanctuary in gaa shorts early on a Sunday morning.

I’d feel more sorry for those who fancied a quiet stroll around the Zoo though. Darragh Cotter was struggling more than most to get out of bed. He took directions to the baths and made his way down. He queued and paid and strolled around for five minutes before realising that he didn’t fancy swimming with tigers. He was in the Zoo.

If we got nothing else out of the weekend, we’ve got a lifetime of mocking about that.

Of course, we must also note the performance of our Ladies who won their game. Only themselves and Zurich travelled so they played two thirty minute games and triumphed. They are now in the same position as The Hague in the mens and can secure the Championship in Zurich at the end of June. Congrats to Irene Kirwan on her player of the tournament award.