Day the third!

Friday was memorable for a lot of reasons – Finn’s 18th birthday, a clash of the titans (the two Ireland teams), increased game time (up to 100mins from the 80mins of the previous days) and increased temperature too. We were rewarded for 7 games over tow days with a ‘late’ start (10.30am) so got an extra little sleep before the crunch games. The usual wasp-infested breakfast – they are everywhere! – and off to warm up for the As. Ireland B had the luxury of a shady sit down until their warm up at 11.30am, game at 12.30pm.

Ireland A
Game One: Italy
Before I talk about this game I’d like to assure everyone that this was the team’s best performance to date. It was full of heart, skill and courage and is one that, despite the result, will be remembered as one representative of the Irish jersey. To say the team did us all proud doesn’t cover it. Italy came out with a stronger line than they’d used against the B team the previous day and it showed with their front force particularly effective. Despite this pressure, the offence used the great Ds we got and put itself in a position to convert repeatedly. We traded to 3s or 4s I think and then Italy stepped it all up a notch. We switched to 2/5, called a time out but nothing could stop them going on a big run (to the tune of 8 or 9 points) and we were then chasing. The lads’ heads never dropped though and they showed real character to bring the game back their way. We switched to a zone and it immediately had an effect with 2 or 3 points going our way but it was too little too late. A tough loss to take for both coaches (we learned a zone should be deployed as a tactic before half way through a one-sided 2nd half) and players, all of whom had high hopes to win it. Lifting the heads was tough when we all hurt but it’s a pain we can and will grow from.

Score: 10-17
MVP: Yasin Mammeri (tightest yet – team performance)




Game Two: Ireland B
From the A teams point of view this was a game they could not lose. Not only did they owe the Bs revenge for a Summer League lost 10/14 days ago, but they also had a score to settle with GB 2, who were waiting for the winners. Importantly, for both the players and coaches, this was an international fixture and deserved the usual warm up, respect and attitude. We spoke to both teams about how to best approach the match, divided the coaches across the teams (with me as an unbiased photographer!) and played the game seriously, despite the odd nature of facing players who’d trained alongside each another and knew all your tactics! The game was sloppy, especially in the first half when the Bs rest proved stronger and they were clearly more up for it. Some calls that we wouldn’t usually make crept in and threatened to turn it from an intense match into a call fest but common sense (just about) prevailed. As the first half wore on, the team got into their stride and pressured the Bs into turns which were converted. 9-7 at half but with lots to do. After a stern dressing down from Seamus and Podge the team went on a roll and opened up a lead.

Score: 17-13
MVP: Niall Connaughton (Pius)



Ireland B
Game One: Hungary
From the beginning we knew this would be a very tough game and that there was the chance that we’d be outclassed by team who were very unlucky to finish in bottom 8 (having beaten Austria who narrowly lost to Sweden in the quarters). As we’d seen against the A team the Hungarians were physical and aggressive. Their zone stifled us but our O was much improved with patience a new trait and a long game beginning to show. There were lots of turns but Hungary made more of them than us and broke the mark, first with insides until we stepped across, then with arounds. The early afternoon heat increased and in the face of the physicality and skill of the Hungasry team we wilted as the game drew to a close.

Score: 3-17
MVP: Cathal Tuffy




Game Two: Ireland A
We spoke at length before this game about how we would treat it as a real international fixture and discussed our reasons for motivation. The warm up was high tempo and it showed as we took the lead against a rattled A team. The opening 9/10 points were as good a start as we produced all week with high intensity on D and with the reset working a treat. The long game was repeatedly successful, but as half drew close a few small errors were punished and we went in 2 down. After a 10min break we came back out to face a fired up opposition who’s D won them 3 points in a row. It looked like the game was slipping away but another late rally made things spicy! It was however, too little too late and the shock that was on the cards was snatched away. A great match all the same.

Score: 13-17
MVP: Cathal Tuffy (14 votes!)




Elsewhere saw some big results in the Juniors Open Division – GB were upset by France in their quarter final, Finland cruised past Czechs and then beat Swedes to join the mighty French, beaters of Germany in the semis, in the final. The finals a tough one to call – the French are strong on the throwing side of things and are a real team. The Finns have been here before, they know pressure and their offence is top quality. Intriguing final ahead!




In the evening we watched some of the show game - Womens U-20 GB v Finland (cue old school Finnish team streak!) and Sweden v Germany and were then served the best dinner of the week – ribs, sausages, a few different salads, and potatoes. It was the perfect meal for after the relaxed coaches vs. staff game, in which myself, Shimbo and Sam took part. After the relaxed game came the boots on, serious game which was of a very high standard. Nice to watch! It as a nice relaxed night, with some poker available also – in which the lads won a few t-shirts and even a hoodie.