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A very good year!
2008/2009
saw arguably the best year yet for the UCD Lacrosse Club. From the very
start of the season the tone was set, and what a season it was for both the
men’s and the women’s teams. Record numbers were signed up during Fresher’s
week and this was highlighted by the outstanding attendance at training in
the first semester which continued throughout the year, even through the
harsh weather! With the help of Coach Christian Arnold and Dublin Lacrosse
players Michael Kennedy and Sean Bodie, over 50
newcomers were introduced to the game in the first few weeks of the
academic year. First impressions are everything in this game and
considering most people in Ireland
would never have come across lacrosse or indeed seen it played, it was a credit
to the coaching staff that so many players were enthusiastic and eager to
learn and practice the basics right from the offset.
The
first few months saw a steady progression, and signs of things to come. As
the ‘Rookies’ grew in confidence they were gradually weaned into the big
leagues of the O’Connor’s and the Mulrooney’s,
both in training and competitive games. The first men’s game was in the
middle of September against a very experienced and probably heavily fancied
Dublin
side. Nonetheless, all the Rookies came togged out and got their piece of
the action, even one who was too frightened to play but sportingly refereed
the game, despite not being too hot on the rules! It was great to see the
new players being tested against some of the best players in the country,
and it was a fitting result that the game finished in a tie.
The
girl’s first game was the same affair, with Dublin fielding many internationals and
once again the favourites. UCD pulled out a great show with many of the new
players impressing, even if one or two fouls were made! It was a very
promising set of opening games and gave both teams the confidence to see
that there was great potential for the year and trips to come. The first
trip of the year was to Karlsruhe,
Germany.
This was a good start to what turned out to be a very competitive season.
For the experienced players it was a chance to iron out the creases and for
the Rookies, a chance to get some much needed game time and experience under their belts. In
the end, it turned out incredibly well for both teams, winning their
selected groups and both taking home those coveted trophies. Notable
performances from top scorers Maggie Spreitzer
and Zak Jordan were a credit to the team’s successes, and on the Rookie’s
front, impressive debut performances from Cillian
Murphy and Maeve Cronin.
The
second trip of the year was to Amsterdam
to compete there. A strong performance from the men’s team saw them beat an
American side, the Wisconsin Badgers, for the first time in their history.
An MVP award must go to Tavis Doucette on his
first ever outing as a goalie for UCD in that game, giving a stunning debut
and making some excellent saves as well as a notable mention for Martin ‘Bonagee’ Scanlon and Sean O’Byrne for their always
energetic displays. Despite that they went on to lose to Amsterdam Lacrosse
sadly, but nonetheless it was a memorable tour, not for the lacrosse
however!
As
the months progressed, the teams began to gel and players were getting to
grips with each other on the field. A streak of close fought encounters
from both teams against Dublin,
set up a very much anticipated good run for the two big tournaments of
2009, March Madness and Dublinfest. March Madness
saw the men’s team face off against Brighton Lacrosse, Tubingen Lacrosse
and Dublin Lacrosse, whilst the women’s team faced off against Dublin and Brighton.
The men’s tournament was to show exactly what had been talked about all
year, the combination and coming together of months of hard work and
preparation.
It
was only fitting that they made their way to the final undefeated and how
the final ended so dramatically. With a pin-point pass from UCD’s reliable captain John O’Connor, a last gasp goal
from Zak Jordan to make it 6-6, with 10 seconds to spare, sent the game
into overtime and a Golden Goal situation. Notre Dame Exchange student Ryan
Landsberg was the man who came up with the
winning goal for UCD, pipping Dublin Lacrosse 7-6
after a severely competitive game. Huge credit must go to March Madness
MVP, UCD Goalie Kevin Quinn for his heroics in front of goal throughout the
tournament. His experience and consistency will no doubt be a huge asset to
the team next year.
The
women did very well in their section, coming 2nd just behind a
very strong Dublin
outfit. They won 2 games and lost 2 games; going down to Dublin
and a very well drilled Brighton Team but the highlight of their tournament
was the turnaround from defeat, to beating Dublin in the last game on Sunday. It was
a hard fought win and the effort was obvious, notably good performances put
in by Hazel Watson and Maria Sheehy ensured UCD
came away with the win.
After
good performances from both teams, the confidence only got higher as Dublinfest approached. The men’s team set this up well
with a 10-0 thrashing of Dublin Lacrosse in the run up to the tournament’s
arrival. Unfortunately Daniel McMahon picked up a rib injury and was forced
out of Dublinfest to the disappointment of the
squad. It was here where their rich vein of form was to be seen. They
showed exactly how competitive they were from the get go, winning their
group emphatically. Rookie Cillian Murphy netted
a hat-trick in the first game and Christian ‘Smiley’ Howarth and Andrew
‘Socks’ Sloan both showed exactly why our rookies are as good as they come
by putting in some great defence and some excellent scoring chances.
Defensively, they conceded no goals in any of their opening group games and
this shut-out continued into the semi-final where they faced a very
talented and prepared Manchester University Team. With the score at 4-4
with three minutes left, attacker David Lusby changed the UCD fortunes by
rifling home from close range.
From
there UCD progressed to the final against a Dublin team yielding several
Swiss Internationals and including midfielder turned defender UCD’s very own Aidan Marshall, who produced a fine
display. Despite this, they won comfortably 6-1 and secured their first
ever Dublinfest title, only fitting for the way
they played right through the course of the tournament. Credit must go to
the Wall of Defence in Conor Walsh, Dara McCreary, Dublinfest MVP
Andrew ‘Springer’ Browne and Sean O’Byrne, all of whom ensure they ended
the tournament with only 5 goals conceded in 8 games. The girls team
suffered the same fate as March Madness unfortunately, again losing out to
a talented York Lacrosse after many hard fought games, and it was a credit
to them that they kept up the gruelling schedule of games forced upon them.
They finished second in their group, beating Dublin
to set up the semi-final with York.
With UCD leading 3-1 in the opening exchanges, York showed their class and came storming
back to win comfortably. A close affair to begin did not really reflect the
final score.
All
in all, a fantastic season which will hopefully pave the way to further
successes in the future for many years to come. On behalf of the newcomers,
I would like to thank everyone who put so much effort into making the year
so successful and for their hard work throughout the season, most notably
John O’Connor, Martin Scanlon, Conor ‘Flopsy’ Walsh and Patrick O’Leary, without whom the
club would not be where it is today.
Keith Kane
Exchange-Farewells
Many
players have come and gone this season and a big farewell must be said to the
numerous players leaving us this semester, Ryan Landsberg,
Tavis Doucette, Elyse Fairweather
and Adrienne Hawley to name but a few. We also wish Sean O’Byrne good luck
should he receive his exchange to San
Jose next semester.
We
wish you all the best in the future and we know it would not have been the
same without you here to share the glory and the fun times. A big thanks for all you’ve done for everyone here and
for the love of god, come back and visit!
Other Farewells
Patrick O’Leary, Mark Colgan, Paul
Murran and Conor Walsh
After
numerous years spent promoting lacrosse and playing at a very high level
for UCD and Irish Lacrosse, it is finally Paddy, Paul and Flopsy’s time to move on. We all know of some of the
huge steps UCD and Irish lacrosse has taken, and if it was not for these
men then UCD Lacrosse would not be where it is today, and for that we must
thank them for their work and service to the game. Their experience and
enthusiasm for the game is irreplaceable, and they will be sorely missed not
only for that, but for what they bring to the group as a whole. Mark is
always a man to get into the occasion. No matter where, when or what, he’ll
be there as enthusiastic as ever, and is always up for anything thrown at
him. Flopsy’s humour was an asset to the group,
even at the worst of times, and many a laugh was shared in his presence,
for which he will be sorely missed. Paul’s natural leadership qualities on
the field were invaluable to the team, and off the field a nicer man you
couldn’t meet. Paddy’s incredible love of the game has rubbed off on many
people, and he has an incredible gift to make anyone feel welcome when
first meeting him or coming to lacrosse. These guys brought an awful lot to
the team, and we look forward to playing with, and against them in the
future!
Agm: Committee
summary
Incoming Men’s Captain: Martin Scanlon,
Outgoing Men’s Captain: John O’Connor
Incoming Women’s Captain: Amie Regan,
Outgoing Captain: Nicola Mulrooney
Thanks
must go to John and Nicola in their seasons of captaincy. They led the club
to its greatest hall of trophies ever, and should be recognised for the
work they put in with organisation and preparation on behalf of the club.
We look forward to next year and having Martin ‘Bonagee’
and Amie as our captains.
Incoming Club Treasurer: Kate O’Keefe,
Outgoing: Martin Scanlon
Incoming Club Secretary: Maria Sheehy,
Outgoing: Kevin Quinn
Incoming Trip Co-ordinator: John O’Connor,
Outgoing: Patrick O’Leary
Incoming Public Relations Officer: Keith Kane
Outgoing:
Conor Walsh
Agm: Awards
summary
Men’s Team MVP: Zak Jordan
Men’s Team Offensive MVP: David Lusby
Men’s Team Defensive MVP: Dara
McCreary
Men’s Team Rookie of the Year: Keith Kane
Men’s Team Dublinfest MVP: Springer
Browne
Women’s Team MVP: Amie Regan
Women’s Team Most Improved Player: Hazel Watson
Women’s Team Rookie of the Year: Maria Sheehy
Women’s Team Dublinfest MVP: Amie
Regan
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