Often in life there are moments or events that stay with you forever. The moments may last for no more than a few seconds, but it’s enough to make you take a step back and feel truly blessed and privileged with the cards you’ve been dealt. For me tonight undoubtedly provided one of those moments.

We played Argentina this evening, a late game at 8pm, but a time that just made the intense atmosphere even more electric. To put this particular four nations into context, a couple of weeks ago the pitch we play on was merely a patch of grass. The club located and old turf from a team in Buenos Aires, they rolled it up, transported it to Parana, and rolled it back out again. They are truly delighted with the results, and it means so much for them to have a tournament like this in their town.

So, let me tell you the moment. Before the game there was the usual anthems played. We sang first, but for some reason the Argentinian anthem didn’t work. So when we lined out for the start of the second half, they decided to give it a go. The pitch sits in a hollow with terraced stands around three sides and the clubhouse on the fourth, looking down onto the floodlit turf. The music system boomed around the grounds, and up started the anthem. As we stood waiting for the Argentinians to come out of their huddle, the whole crowd were singing and cheering as loud as they could. It was such a surreal moment, so many people cheering for one team, the team we were playing. I walked over to Alex and just had to smile and take it all in.

‘Well, we don’t get this every day!’ I said.

‘Let’s shut them up’, she replied with a grin on her face.

And that we did. We were one nil down going into the second half, but we started the second with a bang, gaining territory and creating a couple of decent chances. Gene has said at half time there would be a moment that would change the game in our favour, and our first corner of the second half provided Audrey with a chance to ping one into the bottom corner. Game on. However, with ten minutes to go we conceded a cheap corner and they got a high deflection to go ahead. Despite all our efforts time was against us, and the game finished 2-1.

After the game, the crowds stayed, eager to get pictures and autographs with their idols. It is so special to see so many young girls crowding around female athletes who they obviously admire and adore. They even cheered for us, appreciative of our effort and commitment. When we were leaving the grounds they were waving and blowing kisses at us. Don’t think we’d get that at home!

Everyone was so disappointed with the score line, but we can take great pride in our efforts. It is safe to say we have come a long way in a short period of time. In our previous games against South Africa and India we drew and lost respectively, two games that again we should and could have gotten more from. Tomorrow we play India (again!) in the last game of the tournament for third and fourth place. Everyone is so determined to get a result. Even more so as it is the special occasion for Audrey and Cliodhna, who receive their 50^th and 100^th caps respectively. Congratulations to them both, special players who I have no doubt will be rewarded with a special win!

On another note, there have been some funny stories to tell over the past few days which cannot go unnoticed. Special mention to Niamh Atcheler, who had to come off against India with a serious injury. She had lost all the feeling in her feet. The reason? She had tied her laces too tight in the warm up. I kid you not. Mention also to Nicci Daly who managed to injure a poor little Argentinian girl as her reverse stick hit went slightly wayward and managed to lob the fence. The ensuing tears didn’t last long however, as the little girl was consequently delighted with the shirt Dales gave her to say sorry! Also Sally Ann needs to watch her back as she turned the shower on over me, fully clothed as I endured my ice bath. She was laughing so hard she couldn’t turn it off! Finally, star of the show must go to our physio Karen, who has finally made it in the hockey world and delayed our bus journey home as she was so busy signing autographs and getting her picture taken with all her adoring Argentinian fans. Delighted for her!

Below is a picture of them scoring the winning goal, you can see who's at fault for it....number ten shall remain anonymous!