Womens' Indoor Intervarsities 2010
Deirdre McGing, Cat Daly, Elaine McCarthy, Gemma Locke, Aideen Costello, Orfhlaith Sheehy, Natalie Stearman, Caoimhe Quigley Helen Hobson, Grainne McCarthy, Claire Pugh(c), Heather Barry, Anne Leahy
Report by Helen Hobson
Women's Indoor Intervarsities - the 1st team experience
The team went into this tournament under quite a lot of pressure, being reigning champions is not always the easiest way to set out in a tournament with expectations so high. The team of five experienced players and two new to the ranks started the day in a confident and promising fashion.
The first game of the day was against the clubs 2nd team. A nice way to start the tournament, familiar faces and a style of play Trinity women have become accustomed to. It was a great game with both teams showing some impressive flow and great spirit throughout. It was Trinity 1 who came out victorious at the end at a scoreline of 7-1. A win that set the team up for the day ahead with an understanding of what needed to be improved on as well as a what could be used to our advantage against opponents less familiar with the team.
The second group match of the day was poised to be a difficult one, facing a D.I.T side who with lack of numbers had picked up some quality players, posing a new threat to the team. However their ineligibility as a varsity side meant that the team could try out some new tactics in preparation for the teams that we had not yet played against. All in all an impressive performance saw Trinity come out on top again. The D.I.T team's lack of experience as a unit seemed to be their downfall as opposed to any lack of quality in the side. The game ended 7-2.
The last game of the group stages was always going to be the most difficult, facing a UCC1 side who were hungry for revenge after a shock loss last year in the semi-finals that saw Trinity go on and win the title. It was a hugely intense match and unfortunatley not the most spirited encounter. The intensity and rivalry between the teams meant this match was one of the highlights of the weekend with neither team wanting to lose. In the end neither did, a 6-6 draw the outcome.
It came down to points difference to decide the seedings, with Trinity 1 finishing 2nd in the group, a point behind UCC1. This meant we would face UCC2 in the quarter final. Having played UCC1 we knew a little about how this team would play, equally intense and determined. For a 2nd team they were very impressive with many experienced players in their ranks, this was not a match that could be taken for granted. Trinity did come out the winners with quite an impressive scoreline too. It ended with Trinity1 reaching the point cap, the first time we had all day. Game ended 13-4.
Going into the semi-final we knew we would face a very tough and experienced DCU side.Having not seen many of their games all day, Trinity1 were heading into the match blind, only sure about two things, that this side were going to be tough to beat and would also be out for revenge on last years final. DCU gave the team a fright, playing tactics that the team weren't quite sure how to shut down. The game seemed a lot closer than the scoreline would suggest with Trinity's calmness and patience winning out in the end at a margin of 7-2.
With UCC1 coming out victorious over UCD, the final was always going to be a good one following the draw earlier in the day. UCC1 playing on home soil meant that they had plenty of support going into the game. This probably didn't help the Trinity nerves but the side were really looking forward to what was set up to be a tightly contested match. UCC1 started off the brightest and lead the game from the start with Trinity trying to stay within a point of the ever confident Cork side. At stages of the game the team did fall two points behind but quickly narrowed the margin. With only minutes to go Trinity started to get into the game and play ultimate like they had been all day. It was at 8-8 when Trinity had finally got the game back on level terms. Going ahead for the first time at 9-8 was what Trinity had been hoping for, showing true form in the late stages. At 10-9 to Trinity in a game to 11, UCC were not going to give up without a fight, but it was the mental attitude and determination that saw Trinity hold out and on to what had been their title for a few years. Score at the end was 11-9.
It was a very well run tournament, with some extremely intense moments and some really nice ultimate to add to that. A team who had very little experience as a unit showed their quality and calmness in the toughest of situations with the beginners on the team stepping up and showing that the future of women's ultimate in Trinity is bright.
Trinity1- Claire Pugh(c)(MVP of the team and MVP of the tournament), Heather Barry, Caoimhe Quigley, Natalie Stearman, Gemma Locke(A game), Elaine McCarthy, Helen Hobson(MSP and MVP of the final)
