Just Reward

One generally gets what they deserve in sport and we have no complaints after last Saturday. There has been a small dedicated core of lads training since the start of the year but simply not enough to challenge up in The Hague. We started against the hosts under grey skies and heavy rain. The opening exchanges were competitive as we swapped a couple of scores. I started the day in goal and was struggling to manoeuvre the wet ball to the areas of the pitch I wanted. My judgement of distance and height was a little off and led indirectly to the first goal. I tried to poke a puck out over Eoghan's head and into Conor's path but instead it dropped awkwardly short to Eoghan and spun off his hurley. A phase or two later and the ball sped past my left shoulder into the roof of the net. It was well struck but in the 'savable' bracket. Early in the second half, I struck again. I'd discussed with Martin before the game about trying to keep as much ball in play as possible. By not letting the opposition reset for puck outs, we thought we could get an advantage by finding our stronger players in more space. Such strategy comes with an element of risk and that probably isn't the best when you are rusty and dealing with a wet ball. Goal #2 came as I tried to take a ball down from around crossbar height. It hit my hurley, helmut and the post before dropping dead just inside the line. Given the final score of 3-7 to 1-4, the goals were not decisive but they sure weren't a help. Game 2 would be against Paris who had edged Lux 0-8 0-6 in their first game. They had two key players so our plan was to neutralise them and hopefully have enough in other areas to win. Eoghan had been injured in the first game so a reshuffle was required. I went to wing-back and Hieler took over in goal. My opponent was a mountain of a man but I was happy to enage in the aerial battle. Our performance could be described as flat? or lacking hunger? or just plainly not good enough. We had a couple of golden goal chances; one fluffed from two yards and Lynchy had a goal disallowed as the pass in was incorrectly deemed a foul on the ball. Shane went within inches of another goal from a free but overall, we deserved no more than the defeat we got. Our final group game against Lux would double up as the 3rd and 4th place playoff. They had run Paris much closer than us but looked more interested in shortening the road home by the time we met them. We had the edge throughout and ended up winners in a low key contest. If nothing else, winning the last game of the day at least sends you home and into the following weeks training on a positive note. It may sound a little dramatic but the only way I can describe how I felt after Saturday is that I left the team down. The reason I say that is because we have very few experienced hurlers this year and as a minimum those guys need to perform. It's not good enough for us to breakeven with our men, we have to beat them and drive the team. Not enough of us did that but I think we realised during the course of the day. It all comes down to preparation in the end and we weren’t prepared properly. Mental note made. There were a few positives though. Hieler was very assured in goal. Fergal continues to defy his age and deliver. In fact, his preparation and application is an example to all of us. Mid-forties, high pressure job, 6 kids and he is still leading by example at training and matches. Ross was the find of the day, showing good potential and capping his day with a fine point. Tom Lane, one of the previously mentioned core trainers, showed a very good first touch and promise of his own. The forecast for the future is not so grim. Keary will return from suspension. Crusher will be back the next day. Eoghan should be recovered from injury. Darragh Cotter will join him and there are one or two more in hidden talents who we expect to see. We can't just turn up so bringing everything together at training is key.