Ireland Juniors 2010

WJUC 2010 Highlight Reel

2010-12-02T05:04:00.000-08:00

Ultivillage, a company that films ultimate, has put together a highlight reel from the tournament. Unfortunately, we don't feature. It's still good though. Check it out here.

Spirit at WJUC

2010-08-12T03:12:00.000-07:00

I just got this email from the TDs.

Opps, ! We made an error on the spirit prize calculation in the Junior Open division.

The spirit score was calculated by taking the total number of points and dividing by the number of games played.

Both Ireland and Israel had 9 games - but in the case of Ireland we divided by 10 games (this was the mistake). Because Ireland had 125 points total compared to 124 for Israel, Ireland is the NEW SPIRIT prize winner.

Because it could not possibly be closer we have decided that there are two spirit winners. Congratulations to both countries!

Keep the spirit! Sorry about that Ireland!

Mark Kendall and Peter Deißler

TDs WJUC 2010

A link to some video footage

2010-08-10T07:27:00.000-07:00

Here is the link where I found this. I'll try to embed it here, it's 10 minutes of video footage of USA v Ireland. It goes up to about 16-1. Unbelievably, it doesn't include the part where it becomes 16-2.

The part you want to watch is from 2:20 to 3 minutes.

Briefly...

2010-08-07T05:35:00.000-07:00

Well, we're done and dusted. We came 15th out of 18!! Beat our seeding of 16 which i'm quite pleased with.

Results:

v Finland 6-17
v Belgium 10-17
v USA 2-17
v Germany 6-17
v Austria 6-17
v Australia 7-17
v Japan 11-17
v Israel 14-12
15th/16th v Czech Republic 17-12

Nice to finish off the week with two wins. We really only had one poor performance against Austria and could've beaten Japan. We traded to 3-3, they took half 9-3 and we lost 17-11. Our offence went tits up for 6 points. Apart from that though there has been some phenomonal individual performances and every single player proved their worth throughout the weekend. It was sweet beating the Czechs as they beat us last year as well.

Anyway, the Open final is on soon between the USA and Canada, might even catch the end of the Women's final between Colombia and Canada as well.

There will be a fuller report on the last 5 games soon.

Days 1 and 2

2010-08-04T07:53:00.000-07:00

Tuesday dawned bright and early as since our first match of the day was at 8.30, we were up between 6 and 6.15 for a 6.30 breakfast. Very surprisingly there was no problem whatsoever getting the team up. In fact, most of them were out of bed before myself or Seamie! The breakfast was an all-you-can-eat buffet with both hot and cold options. Very tasty! We all made our way to the pitches.

Game 1 V Finland

The defending U-20 and 2007 U-17 European Champions were up first. We arrived at the pitches 45 minutes before the game and got a good warm up done. Our game was on one of the two stadium pitches. A lot of throwing, plenty of running and some drills to finish. We huddled up and went through some tactics before belting out Ireland's Call.

We started excellently and fought hard for everything, forcing turnovers as the fins struggled to find any rhythm due to our D. We traded to 3's with Lorcan, matty and Pa all getting on the scoresheet. The Finnish offense started to click and their cutters were getting free much easier as they went on a run to 7-3. A time out was called and the coaches urged more work, particularly marking their cutters. We answered straightaway with Pa throwing to Finn to make it 7-4. The Finns took half at 9-4. We started slowly in the second half as our cutters drifted too far from the disc at times, the Finns were also poaching quite a lot and we struggled to deal with this. They really hit their stride this half and started to pull away. We called a timeout and told the team the workrate needed to be upped once more. This they did and finished out the match strongly. Final score 17-6 to Finland.

MVP: Robbie, originally tied with Merman but winning on a second round of voting.

Game 2 V Belgium

Up next at 12.30 were the Belgians, a team we felt we could upset. We went through the same warm up and the lads were focussed. Both myself and Seamie stressed the need for 100% Ultimate at all times, saving ourselves simply wasn't an option.

We started well with a Hogi huck finding Tuffy outside the endzone before he laid it off to Finn to take an early lead. They had a strong long game and all three of their early scores came from hucks. We soon found ourselves level at 3-3. The Belgian handlers started to get some easy around breaks off and were using the entire width of the pitch to their advantage while at times we found ourselves continuously punching it up the line. a few drops in crucial positions near and in their endzone didn't help. While we kept in touch, the Belgians started to get their noses in front and took half at 9-6. Yet again we seemed a little slow right after half time and Belgium took advantage with two quick points before we responded to make it 11-7. That seemed to be the pattern of the half, Belgium scored 2, we scored 1. The team finally started to cut out the breaks as the half wore on and we started to get some of our own but the Belgians continuously kept the scoreboard ticking over. We finally started making those catches that we weren't in the first half with Tuffy scoring 3 second half goals. Belgium won out in the end 17-10.

This was a good performance but we didn't feel the Belgians were 7 points better than us. It was a good lesson for us as to what can happen when the opposition gets break after break off.

MVP: Finn. Yet again a tie, this time with Lorcan with Finn winning after a second round of voting.

We had a few hours downtime before we had arranged to meet for dinner at 6 and the team split up to do various things. Some of us watched our opponents of the following morning, the USA, thrash Australia 17-4. We met again and watched the showgame, Canada V Colombia as we ate. This proved to be a very dour game with plenty of calls. It certainly didn't hold our attention as after 40minutes we left and went to get ice-cream! There is a fantastic place around the corner from the school that has a huge variety. Finn helped himself to two massive ice cream cones as Killian set about eating his way towards diabetes. Hogi learned an amusing lesson that people in different countries actually do understand English as we eventually left after over an hour of ice cream and banter.

Most of the team headed to the welcoming party at 9.30 but there not many people there. Eventually everyone was back in bed by 11. Another early start tomorrow, first up: USA.

Game 3 V USA

We followed more or less an identical pattern to yesterday and were at the pitches with plenty of time to spare.

A huge opportunity for the lads to test themselves. We had watched the USA take apart Ausralia 17-4 the previous night and knew that nothing less than 100% Ultimate would do. If we let up for a second they would have a field day. We started well, trading with them up to 1-1... Joking aside, we came out flying and made them work. We even forced a turn off their first throw. They took the first point and we followed with what can only be described as a moment of magic from Hogi. He catches the disc near the sideline at about halfway and sees Tuffy in the endzone, one 50 yard hammer later we were level at 1-1. Cue massive pitch invasion. The USA played some scintillating offence at times and had a few points where they simply took us apart with their breakside throws, we struggled to keep up at times. I've never seen a team move the disc so fast. Other times though, they worked hard for it as we pressured and hassled them. It wasn't all one way traffic either as we made gains time and again, our long game was occasionally effective but several times our hucks just hung up for that split second too long allowing one their giants to take it down. They went on a run to 16-1 and we had another point of brilliance, each person on the field touching the disc as we patiently worked it up field through the USA zone. Three hammers later (including one that finished with a huge grab by Hugo) saw the disc in Hogi's hands near the front of their endzone. Yet another hammer to Tuffy (only 20 yards this time) saw the score become 16-2. Cue another massive pitch invasion. The USA finished the last point to take the game 17-2.

I've never seen a team more upbeat after a beating of that magnitude. The USA players were a very spirited, if somewhat physical, bunch and certainly left a good impression after the game. Their coaches had some nice words for myself and their fans, of which there were plenty, gave our players agreat reception. Myself and Seamie asked for 100% Ultimate and that is exactly what we got.

MVP: Hogi.

Game 4 V Germany

Our second game today was against the host nation and those who were in Vienna last year recognised some of the opposition. If playing against the USA was like playing the 1970 Brazil team, this was like playing against the 2004 Greece team. There was a huge difference in styles.

Our warm up was a little stop start and not as focussed as the previous three due to a little uncertainty over when the game would start due to the previous game going to cap. We started and used our long game alot. The Germans took the lead before we equalised with Paul throwing a fine leading pass to Merman (Mermaid?). Unforunately that was to be as good as it got for the half as the Germans adopted a very poachy formation, using our lack of experience against us. We still tried our long game alot and often if found their deep poach. Half time, 9-1 to the Germans.

Some strong words were said at half time by both players and managment. The USA deserved their 9-1 half time against us, we didn't feel the Germans did. Seamie introduced some new tactics with more emphasis on our short give and go game. We also did a quick drill to get the energy up, something we hadn't done before. We started as we wanted and we began to work our short game more often with Pa, Paul and Lorcan all putting in some great work. These were not the only players though as everyone who took to the pitch stood up and was counted as we fought back and made the Germans work hard for each point they scored. Our offence was at times brilliant as we cascaded up the pitch through their poaches to the extent that they reverted to man for a few points. We traded the first six points of the half to 12-4 but didn'take full advantage of some opportunities as the Germans won 17-6 in the end.

A slow, slightly lethargic second half gave way to some good offence and a serious improvement on D as we played hard in the second half.

MVP: Lorcan, just edging out Paul.

Time to go, up against Austria this at 12.30 and then against Australia at 4.30.

Building Up!

2010-08-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

It's been a good few day building up to the tourament. We all met in Dublin airport at 5.15 am on Saturday morning and shockingly no-one was late! Everyone checked in and there wasn't a problem to be had. This was all going far too easily... We arrived in Frankfurt on time and found our bus driven by the fantastically named Herr Wolf. After a brief rest stop and paying extortionate prices for any snack we arrived at our accomodation in Helibronn. No hitches, no problems. All very efficient if you ask me.

We had plenty of time to kill and the team all split up, many spent most of the day throwing around. The local pizza place has been doing great business since we showed up. The immediate area was explored and we found that all the locations for the tournament are all within a 10 minute stroll of the school. This was fantastic as some of the team remembered the daily 30 minute trek too and from the pitches in Vienna. No real major incidences to report from Sunday, well that is up until about 11.30pm. About two thirds of the team and myself sat down to play switch (not Uno). Halfway through we were joined by a few curious guys from the Canadian Open team. We were quite boisterous. We finished up and went to see what other teams were doing and some of the lads joined some Colombians and Israelis playing a card game that I don't think anyone understood. It involved Robbie getting into a tug-o-war with a Colombian guy over a stick and Alf proving to the world he has really, really, ridiculously slow reactions. This game wrapped up and we saw some more of the Canadian Open team playing a game where you try to make each other laugh. We naturally joined in, some of us (not just me!!) naturally lowered the tone. So much of what was said is unrepeatable, the best players shall remain unnamed except for the out and out champion, a fine young upstanding Canuck named Keelan. Let's just say, we were all a little ashamed to be of the human race...

Today, we had nothing planned. We didn't need to meet for the opening ceremony until 4.30pm. The team had the afternoon free and used it well. Sleeping in until 10.30, we all breakfasted as a team and lingered over it. A fantastic buffet was on offer. After that again the team splintered and went their separte ways. Yet again an epic game of switch was played and yet again we were joined by some Canadians. This time from the Women's team. We carried on with more card games. I got Mooed (don't ask). After all this half the team hung around to play many, many games and had players from Iarael, Canada, Germany, Italy and some of the volunteers involved at one point or another. Lunch was had and we all made our way to the stadium for the Opening Ceremony.

This was good fun and featured a lovely German lady singing a few songs. She ended up draped in the colours of every nation as players wrapped flags around her. Various representatives made speeches and it finished up with some mass dancing by everyone on the running track. The opening game featured two teams in our pool, Germany and Austria, and was a decent game. Germany raced into a 9-2 half time lead and eventually won 17-9. \it was good for myself and Seamie to these two teams in action. After the game the entire team had dinner together, well, everybody was there except Pa. He now has a pink hat to wear. A small stage is set up beside the stadium and there was a DJ playing songs for a few hours. Most of the team took advantage of this and spent a while loosening up the muscles with some dancing as others had some fun playing 500s. All in all, the team has settled in well and is having no problems whatsoever mixing and mingling with other teams.

We're up at 6.15 tomorrow with the current European Champions, Finland first up at 8.30 followed by Belgium at 12.30. Time for me to find my bed.

final preparations

2010-07-30T09:28:00.000-07:00

here's a quick summary of our final preparations in the run up to WJUC.

On the weekend of July 3rd and 4th, the team took part in UK junior open nationals. We came 7th overall, in a tournament with a wide range of standards of teams. Hopefully, the experience stands to us. Thanks to the UKU juniors people for allowing us to compete.

Dublin club summer league has been continuing every Wednesday evening, where the juniors have recorded wins over OCS and UCD, and a close loss to jabba this week. Results and schedule are here.

David Ferris is out of the tournament with a recent injury. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Robbie Brennan was announced as vice captain of the team.

Finally, the under 23 open team, featuring junior players Conor Hogan and Keith Mernagh, came 12th and won spirit in the world under 23s championship in Florence recently. Congrats to them and to the other Irish teams that took part.

We leave Sunday morning.

Eh....

2010-07-28T08:33:00.001-07:00

I also forgot to say that we'll have a placing Saturday at some point.

Here's the tournament site: http://wjuc2010.de/

Schedule!!

2010-07-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

The schedule has finally been released. It is an 18 team tournament with 2 groups of 9. We have 8 group games and the top two in each group qualify for the semi finals.

We are in Group A with USA, Belgium, Finland, Australia, Germany, Japan, Austria and Israel.
Group B is Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, GB, Italy, Latvia, Sweden and Switzerland.

Opening ceremony and showgame (Germany V Austria) is on Monday and we start our campaign on Tuesday.

Tuesday, 8.30 v Finland
Tuesday, 12.30 v Belgium
Wednesday, 8.30 v USA
Wednesday, 12.30 v Germany
Thursday, 12.30 v Austria
Thursday, 4.30 v Australia
Friday, 12.30 v Japan
Friday, 4.30 v Israel

Handy enough so!!

I or Séamie or one of the lads will do our best to keep this updated daily.

Dublin & U23 friendlies, a captain announcement and this week's summer league game

2010-07-01T06:33:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday the juniors played two full length friendly matches. First up was Dublin Ultimate (who themselves are preparing for world clubs in Prague next week). Quite to everyone's surprise, the juniors started the game by taking the lead, and continued hitting a few deep throws to take advantage of a slow start by Dublin...who at 4-3 down, called a timeout to refocus. That was the end of the slow start from Dublin, who went on to win 17-4.

Next up was the under 23s (the team that organised this day of friendlies, in preparation for the under 23 world championships in Florence later in July...thanks for that!). This game didn't go so well for the juniors. The under 23s strong defense and much more experienced and skilled offense were too much, and we went down 17-1. Plenty of things for the juniors to work on!

That day the captain of the squad was announced: Finnian Flood of st Mary's college. Finnian played for the Ireland A team at the junior European championships in Vienna last summer, and has gathered plenty of experience in his short ultimate career (including a cork open win with Broc ultimate). Best of luck, Fin!

On Wednesday (yesterday), the juniors played their second match in the Dublin Summer league. This one against a trinity team featuring many very experienced players. A much improved defensive effort was made, as compared with last weekend's games anyway, but alas, it wasn't enough, as trinity won out by 16-13 (I think!).

This weekend, we have a trip to UK junior open nationals, a real tournament experience which will hopefully stand to us at the world championships. And then next week sees a summer league game against an OCS team featuring many of last years juniors team. That should be interesting.

I'm off to Prague, to play club worlds with Dublin, so I'll miss both of those, hopefully, some of the other lads will update the blog!

Seamus

Recent Activity

2010-06-23T12:54:00.000-07:00

At the end of May, the juniors had their second squad weekender, as led by Shimbo. This included some friendlies with Open Club Sandwich and Little Miss Sunshine. I wasn't there myself, so hopefully one of the lads can provide a write up sometime.

Last week saw the start of the Dublin club summer league. The juniors team has entered this, in order to get some more game time. Our first game, against Jabba, finished 17-12 in their favour.

This week, we have a bye (there are an odd number of teams in the league). Next week, we'll line up against trinity college. Hopefully, given that the leaving cert will have finished by then, we'll have a few more players than we did last week, and we'll be able to improve.

Finally, we're planning a trip to a warm up tournament at the beginning of July. The UK Ultimate Association have been kind enough to allow us to take part in the UK Junior Open Championships, in Birmingham (of course we can't be awarded the title of UK champion or anything!) Hopefully the tournament experience will stand to us at the world championships.

Seamus

Juniors first practice weekend

2010-06-06T11:40:00.001-07:00

We kicked off training with a full squad weekend session in Limerick in April.

This was the perfect way for the team to get to know one another, start working on our play and discuss our goals for the year. And the Rockband social was good craic.

The highlight of the weekend was a friendly against the UL Ninjas on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

It started out close, as the teams traded to 2-2. UL then had a run that made it 5-2. After a quick timeout, the juniors came back - going up 6-5, with Finnian throwing quite a few goals. UL managed to take half 8-6, after a few miscommunication turnovers, and defensive mistakes.

The second half saw a few more hucks and the scores were soon tied up at 9-9.

Both teams raised their games from here. Big defensive plays from Hugo and Lorcan got us the disc back a few times and 3 consecutive Pa to Tuffy scores kept the scoreboard ticking over for us, as we traded to 13-13. The result didn't go our way in the end, as UL got the final 2 points to take the game 15-13.

It was a great learning experience for the team, many thanks to the UL ninjas for providing the opposition.

Big thanks to Pa and Lorcan for hosting the rest of the team. And to Pa for sorting out the pitches and the saturday night entertainment. All in all, a great start to the season!

The team this season

2010-06-06T11:40:00.000-07:00

The tryouts for the team were held back in February and March. Over 50 junior players tried out, but the final team would have only about 20 places which made selection very difficult.

Adding to this difficulty was the fact that this year there would only be 1 team, unlike at the European Youth Ultimate Championships 2009 where an 'Ireland 2' team were allowed to compete.

The team was announced in March, and it looks like this:

Robbie Brennan (#0), University College Dublin
Killian Carroll (#65), Dublin City University
Shaun Cullen (#13), Blackrock College
Philip Doyle (#9), Blackrock College
David Ferris (#15), St. Mary's College
Alan Fitzpatrick (#23), Gonzaga College
Hugo Fitzpatrick (#3), Dublin University
Finnian Flood (#64), St. Mary's College
Declan Grogan (#29), Dublin City University
Pat Hayden (#77), University of Limerick
Matthew Healy (#18), Blackrock College
Conor Hogan (#10), St. Mary's College
Keith Mernagh (#8), Institute of Technology, Tallaght
Ben Murray (#21), University College Dublin
Lorcan Murray (#16), University College Cork
Paul O Callaghan (#5), National College of Ireland
David Power (#66), University College Cork
Stephen Tubbert (#14), Dublin University
Cathal Tuffy (#1), St. Mary's College

Manager - Seamus Murray
Coach - Seamas 'Shimbo' Kinsella.

A big thanks to Dominick, Louis and Brian for help running tryouts and also to Marko and Podge for help with tryouts and team selection.

Juniors Blog is up and running

2010-05-21T05:47:00.000-07:00

Inspired by last years blog, we have set up a Juniors Blog for this season.

Expect posts from coaches and players of the Irish junior open team competing at the world junior ultimate championships in Heilbronn, Germany from August 2nd to 7th.

Hopefully, we'll manage to make a few posts from the tournament itself and a few charting our progress until then.

Seamus