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!

Argentina - 4 Nations take two!

Apologies for the lack of communication over the past few days, the wireless internet was down in our previous hotel. Since then we have moved location where the wifi is much better!

I think it is safe to say that we were really disappointed to have finished fourth in last week’s tournament. On Wednesday we lost to South Africa, a frustrating result given that we dominated periods of the game and had numerous chances to put ourselves in contention for the 3 points. We were not aggressive enough in our play, but learnt a lot of valuable lessons from the game. On Thursday we beat India in the pool stages which was a significant victory for us over a team ranked above us in the world, so it was an important step in the right direction.

Saturday was a huge test against the world champions Argentina. They are treated like celebrities here, with crowds of young kids running to get their autographs and posing for snaps with their favourite players. We knew it was going to be a tough tough game, especially in front of their home crowd. To come off the pitch disappointed with a draw against Argentina is an emotion I never thought possible, but the game surpassed all our expectations as a team. We went into half time 2-0 up after we took our chances from two set pieces. I even managed to get a sneaky goal! The second half was tough to play in, they dominated possession, pressed us high up the pitch but despite this we were disappointed to concede two goals that we down to our own errors. But for the heroics of Pam who saved a stroke in the last minute we would have lost the game, so the draw was bittersweet in a way. We didn’t make the final but took a lot of positives from the game.

Our final game was again against India for 3^rd/4^th place. It was game played under severe adversity, our fourth game in five days against tough opposition in the heat and humidity with a sticky pitch, so it was ultimately a test of our mental stamina and game management. At full time the score was 1-1, so extra time followed. We had chances to win the game and were the better team as time elapsed, but couldn’t add to our tally. The game went to a shoot-out and we lost 4-2. There’s a reason they call it the Indian dribble! It was a frustrating end to the four nations but the shoot-out was good practice for us if it happens again when it matters most!

On Monday we set off on our journey to Parana, and after a bus trip totalling 8 hours we finally reached our destination. I hadn’t really realised before just how vast this country is, it felt like the bus travelled along a straight road for hours on end! On our arrival there were some local press photographers which was an entirely strange and new experience! The hotel is beautiful; it overlooks the river Parana which you can see below.

Parana is a small town and they seem really excited about the tournament. One of our girls visited the local doctor about getting bite cream and instead of accepting monetary payment he just wanted tickets to see the games! When we trained at the pitch yesterday there were workers everywhere, constructing the dug outs and seating, trying to get the floodlights in tip top shape and watering the pitch with firemen hoses! There appears to be a real community effort involved, which is so nice to see. Apparently they even laid the pitch themselves!

Our first game is this afternoon against South Africa. We were disappointed with last week’s effort against them so are eager to make up for past mistakes! 

Argentina blog – Game 1

After a gruelling 14 hour flight from Heathrow, we arrived in Buenos Aires on Monday morning, tired but excited! For most of us this is our first time in Argentina so we are looking forward to getting stuck in. Our first game is against South Africa today (Wednesday) at 3pm (6pm Irish time), so it’s going to be a hot one! The temperature has been in and around 30degrees during the day so we have been on strict hydration guidelines and the sun cream is applied at every opportunity, despite those hoping to better their tans!

On this trip we have left behind oceans of talent and experience, but this is a prime opportunity for the younger members of the squad to show what they are made of. Selection is closer than ever, and no one can be assured of their place. Such competition breeds positive outcome, with every player working hard and applying themselves in the knowledge that someone else is breathing down their necks. Despite the calibre of those who have stayed at home, we have more than enough talent to perform well in both tournaments.

Game day starts with an early breakfast, a few of us head to the pool to loosen up, team meetings and an early start to leave for the field (incredibly it is 90 minutes away from where we are staying!). South Africa are a world class side but we are hoping for a good start and to put ourselves in pressure situations so we can cope with whatever is thrown at us. Certainly playing in 30 degrees will be a tough challenge but if we don’t play in difficult circumstances then we will never be tested to the max.

A special mention must go to the heroic efforts of Anna O’Flanagan and Audrey O’Flynn, who decided to take one (or one hundred) for the team and leave their balcony doors open all night so all the mossies would visit their room and leave the rest of us alone. Cheers guys, we really appreciate it.

Cross your fingers!

Champions Challenge...close but no cigar....

When Ireland was announced as host of the Champion’s Challenge in November, June seemed a long long time away. Alas, after 24 games, 144 players, almost 100 goals, (Oh, and not to mention a world record thrown in), not one scoreless game, a few dozen cards, hundreds of volunteers and hundreds more supporters, UCD these days is a shadow of its former self. The tournament is over and the teams have gone home, some licking their wounds and others shining their silverware. But for everyone involved, it was an unforgettable display of world-class hockey right on our doorstep. Not something that happens every day!

Before the start of the tournament, I can honestly say I didn’t know what to expect, and I don’t think the other countries had any idea either. It’s 8 months since the CPP began, and having only played 6 capped matches pre Champions Challenge, it was difficult to put a marker on how far our intense training had brought us. Given this, we looked forward to the tournament with much excitement. We looked sharp in training, were given plenty of time to rest and recover, everyone was raring to go. Then we played South Africa in a warm-up game…

It would be pretty fair to say that not one of us turned up to this match. We lost the game 3-0, looked second to the ball, lethargic and not our useful committed selves. It was a serious wake-up, and in hindsight turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We went into our first game against India undoubtedly licking our wounds. Turns out we play some of our best hockey like caged animals, and we couldn’t believe it when we came of the pitch having won the game 2-1. This was followed by another impressive victory over Azerbaijan, and we went into our third pool game against Spain guaranteed a top 2 finish. Games in the other pool, however, didn’t really go our way. Scotland played some great hockey and the USA ended up finishing bottom of pool B, resulting in a quarter final match against the top ranked team in the tournament. Frustrating given our hard work in the first three games.

The USA team were strong and fast, so it was always going to be a difficult game. On the day they got their tactics better than us, and we finished the game on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline, ending our chances of a top 4 finish. We beat Azerbaijan in the play-offs, meaning we would meet another daunting task in the shape of South Africa in the battle for 5^th and 6^th place. Ultimately it was not to be, world-record holder Pietie Coetzee scoring an unstoppable drag flick to win the match for the South Africans.

Post-tournament, we are really disappointed that our huge performances in the pool stages were not reflected in our final placing. Last year we lost 6-0 to India, so to beat them convincingly shows just how far we have come. We are not scared to take teams on any more, we played consistently well throughout the tournament which is rare for an Irish team in my time as a player. The squad is young and relatively inexperienced (the South African squad have ten players with over 100 caps), but we played hockey with more calmness and authority than ever before.

There have always been and will continue to be those who constantly slate and criticise the decision to centralise training. As a player and someone who has made huge sacrifices for the cause, those outside of the squad have little right to pass comment when they have no idea what the process has involved. Many are very quick to pass judgement without any hard evidence to back their claims. In my mind I have absolutely no doubt that if CPP wasn’t put in place we would not be good enough to claim a place in London 2012. I will be the first to admit that this time next week I may well be admitting we still weren’t good enough. But you never know until you try. If we were to travel at the same speed as other top teams, we’ll still be behind them. Something had to change to give us the best possible chance of qualifying. We’ve upgraded our Mercedes to a Ferrari. We might not be on pole position, but we are making our way up the grid. J

Upon my rock I build this church….

Right about now I am wary of how this post will come across. I make no assumptions, I don’t claim to be right, and I never wish to sound in any way hypocritical or judgemental. I don’t state fact; I just put what’s in my head onto a page. So here goes…..

Today it struck me just how wonderful church is. Should it have a capital letter? I guess it depends on what you feel the word means. Sure, it’s a building. But the word also represents a body of people. A congregating of those who come together and often have much in common. Somewhere everyone is welcome. The doors are always open. Same time every week, regardless. You don’t have to ask what time, or where, or what to wear. You don’t even need to be able to sing (but often it helps). Where else would you find that?

I’m not talking about any specific religion here, nor am I trying to claim to be perfect or shove any bible quotes or parables down your throat. For me it is more about the fact that church is always a celebration of sorts. Whether it’s the celebration of a long life, the start of a new life, or the beginning of a new life together, it always seems important for everyone to thank someone, somewhere, for what we’ve been given. For we are all truly blessed. Bla bla bla. But we are, right?

It doesn’t matter what or who we believe in, or if we even believe anything at all, we’re all pretty frickin lucky. The fact you’re reading this right now means you’re blessed enough to have a laptop, iPhone or other electronic device. And of course, t’internet. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in saying that so often I forget how lucky I am. How I am blessed with an amazing family, and some very special friends. And I can honestly say that I don’t realise it enough. But when I do, I am usually in Church. Celebrating something. Or someone.

This blog is for my granny, who passed away on Friday. She was one special lady, and I am truly blessed to have known her. To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die. She will always be in my heart. RIP xxx

Eimear Cregan...take a bow :)

                                          Best photo of Eimear you'll ever see :)

Every so often in life you will come across someone you admire. Someone who has the talent, commitment, passion and desire that you can only dream of. It is a unique combination, a blend of the will to succeed but also the talent to allow that will to flourish. These people are from all walks of life, in politics, sport, music, drama. They are confident, but not cocky. Affable, but won’t take any crap. The leader, the protagonist, the soloist. The captain.

Today, Irish hockey lost a leader. Captain Eimear Cregan (aka Creggie aka peanut head) has been forced to retire from the game she loves due to injury. Having amassed an incredible 171 caps for her country, she is the most capped female Irish player of all time. A phenomenal achievement made all the more special considering Cregs has played with constant pain for the past 6 years of her career.

I am so thankful that my hockey career thus far has been injury free (touch wood) bar a broken finger. In the past few weeks, however, I have had a couple of little niggles, nothing major or enough to stop me from training but always there none-the-less. It got me to thinking about how players cope with injuries that require constant monitoring. On the physio table every day. Icing their ails after every session. Playing through the pain barrier, pain that no-one else can feel.

This pretty much sums Eimear up. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of playing with or against her knows how talented she is, about her determination and work-rate, and of course, her sublime skills. What people may not have realised was that she did all this nursing degenerative arthritis in both knees. And the rest. After matches and training she had the usual two bags of ice strapped around her swollen knees. Such commitment is unrivalled. But something I admire more than anything else is that she played exactly the same way every time she step foot on the turf. No-one was ever fully aware of her suffering, simply because she didn’t let it show. She never sought sympathy, never wanted to come off, always humble and always, always, a great leader.

I am so proud to say I have played with Creggie for my entire international career. I can vouch for the rest of the girls on the squad when I say I am gutted she has been forced to retire. Quitting is something she was never any good at, and I know for sure how devastating this decision has been for her. She is a true legend of the game, and a huge hole has been left in the heart of Irish hockey. We will miss her banter but I am sure she will never be far from the side-line, supporting us all the way. A special person and a special player.

Cheers Cregs. It’s been a pleasure.

Which one are you?

"O Alfe, you must come round for tea and prawn sandwiches later, they are simply devine!"

Almost everyone who is likely to read this (which, let’s face it, isn’t many) will have at some stage of their existence played some form of sport. Some fancy themselves as the next Usain Bolt. Some reckon they’ve a better stroke than Tiger (easy). And others still find themselves lamenting about that time silly skinny bitch with the blonde hair, long legs and big breasts beat them in the egg and spoon race in primary school. (She cheated. So I heard).

Regardless of standard or quality, we have all come across all-sorts of players and opponents. Having conducted a secret experiment into such do-gooders and delinquents over the past 18 years of my life (I’m good), I here-by report my findings.

·         The ‘I’m a boy, you’re a girl, therefore you can’t play sport so skip along and play with your Barbie’s’ species: this kind, often born into a family where the dad watches telly all day whilst the wife slaves in the kitchen, are rather mean and often bear an uncanny resemblance to a fresh steaming smelly turd. (NB I scripted my findings of this species when I was 9).

·         The ‘child prodigy that just doesn’t quite make it’: such cases often have to be pitied, as after many years of being the next best thing, turns out…they really aren’t! Parents of such species are more often than not rather wealthy, have a lot of time on their hands, bear pointed noses and are most likely to be found shouting abuse at the ref, other kids, parents and generally anyone who just might be taking the glory away from their positively shining child.

·         The ‘I’m an absolute cow on the pitch but I’m a star off it’ species: this is the kind of player you absolutely hate, the one who acts like total idiot for the duration of a game, but when you talk to them off the pitch, turns out they’re actually dead on!

·         The ‘enforcer’: this person can be any size or play in any position, but damn are they scary. The best of the best cower in their comparative mediocrity beside this guy. Don’t cross this species.

·         The ‘workhorse’: not much talent, not much going on up above or down below, but blessed with the fitness and stamina of a Duracell bunny. Will often fall over at random intervals, forget to stop running and hit the post, and ask what the score was after every game. With this in mind, such species come with all safety equipment as standard.

·         The ‘untouchable’: the magician. Everything they touch turns to gold. Captain material, everyone respects this player and doesn’t dare question their authority. Often the ‘enforcer’ attempts to seriously hurt the ‘untouchable.’ Legendary status. If the team could afford to and this species retired, no-one would ever use their shirt number again. Unfortunately, more often than not the shirt (and all other kit) needs returned to the club for the ‘child prodigy’ species’ to use. All players should strive to become the ‘untouchable’. However, please note. First round, is always on them.

*** This blog is dedicated to my good friend and recently retired Irish international Bridget Cleland (well, McKeever). Bridge aka ‘child bride’, ‘bird shit’ or (my personal fave) ‘fidget ma beaver’ was truly a legend of Irish hockey, maybe not quite the ‘untouchable’ (hehe) but always a player who we all respected and admired. She is a hero to many, and will be for some time to come. J Seeing as she most likely will never read this, I can exclusively reveal she isn’t pregnant. But is practising.