Week 26- World u24 Ultimate Championships

The game is afoot. Our world u24 championship campaign was about to commence. We had breakfast at the accommodation on Monday morning before being bussed to the pitches. When we arrived we saw a small girl had let her ball roll down the hill. Jack Lynch tried to help by kicking it back to her. Unfortunately, he managed to hit her square in the face. Not the best start. I went to the physio first thing. Frustratingly, I was given a different running program and strengthening exercises to do. They told me I was delusional to think I would get to play in the next two days and unlikely to play all week. I did my best to do as much as possible for the team anyway, and did my exercises on the side. We played China in our first game and ran out comfortable 15-0 winners. Our second game of the day was more of a test against the Swiss. They stuck with us to start until about 5-5 but then they couldn't keep up with our work rate and we won 15-7. I did my strength work and rolled out my glutes in the evening to do everything possible to be ready. A few of the boys got sunburnt despite applying copious amounts of suncream. Our final group game was on Tuesday morning against Great Britain. I still wasn't able to play but I continued to improve my running and provide support for the team. We were all very hyped for the game, as were GB, but it was the opponents who started the better. They opened with a break (scored on our offensive point) and took half 8-5. The second half saw some incredible bids and work rate from our team as we clawed the game back and took the lead. When it game to match point the scores were tied and it was winner takes all (universe point). We managed to work the disc up and score to top our group. It was an incredible feeling and very emotional.

We were then into power pools with three other of the top 8 teams. Our first power pool game was against Singapore. We didn't prepare well for the game and probably went in thinking it was just going to be another easy-to-beat Asian team. We were mistaken. We went down early again and had to work very hard for every point as they didn't have many unforced, or forced, errors. We managed to take the lead going into match point and had the Frisbee outside their endzone but we turned over on the last pass. They went down the far end of the pitch and scored to win by a point. It was a truly awful feeling and in stark contrast to the euphoria earlier. Although I was doing my very best from the sideline, I found the most frustrating thing was that I couldn't have a tangible impact on the game. Our second power pool game was on Wednesday morning against Japan. Japan are a world class team and we made no mistakes in preparation this time round. We went blow for blow the whole way through the game with both teams holding the lead at different points. We were on offense on universe point going down wind. Again we managed to turn over on the final pass and Japan scored an upwind break to win. Going into our final power pool game against Australia, we knew we were playing to avoid Canada in a pre-quarter. Feely, our coach, said to me that he wanted me to try play because it was a do or die game. I spoke with the doctor and he said that he would risk it. I warmed up for an hour and a half to be in the best place for my team. The stage was set for us, a stand alone game on the live stream, time for an upset. Alas, we went toe to toe until 5-5 but then couldn't keep up with the Aussies and ended up losing comfortably. Despite this, it was a far more enjoyable than our previous two games and I played a point. It may have only been one zone point but I was delighted.

Thursday morning brought Canada, one of the power houses of ultimate Frisbee. We were playing them in a pre-quarter because they had lost to Australia in their pool game and then lost out on a three way tie. The significance of the game was that if we won we would finish in the top 8 but lose and we would be in the bottom 8. We went down two early breaks but then managed to turn our vibe around and get two breaks back to tie the game at 5-5. I had warmed up for an extended period again and had four layers of compression on so I played. I only got two points but one was one of the breaks where I manged to successfully defend a player from the professional league in America called Darren Wu. Went had further chances to break again which we failed to convert and then Canada went on a run to win convincingly 15-6. This meant we had not achieved our goal of top 8 but we were determine to go out and take 9th. After games we play a spirit game where we get the other team to cover their eyes and try to kick a bottle of water as far as they can. The Canadians proved very good and kicked it further than I have ever seen.

Our afternoon game was against China again. The Chinese team showed great improvement since we first played and scored 4 points during the game. It was good for us to get our confidence up again and more importantly for me I played about six points. During these six points I didn't turnover, got one D and scored a point which was probably my highlight of the tournament as everyone was so delighted and really got behind me. Friday was the final day of the tournament for us and my voice was all but gone from shouting on the sideline. Our first game was against the Philippines to get into the 9/10 play off. It was a close but fun game and I again managed to play about 6 points, getting a D along the way. We ended up winning by four points and would meet Colombia in the 9/10 play off. For me, this was a repeat of my final game in Poland where we beat them to take 7th. Unfortunately, I was feeling too good warming up, forgot about my leg and managed to tweak the hamstring again to end my tournament. Colombia have a reputation for having bad spirit but this was an extremely well spirited game which saw both teams playing well. For the third time this week we managed to throw away a lead and get broken on universe point to lose and take 10th place. Ultimately, this was a disappointing finish for us as a team but I took great pride in being part of it and I was also delighted to be able to play a few points as I thought when I arrived that I wouldn't get on at all.

Once games were over the trading of gear began. I traded for a Chinese jersey and a New Zealand long sleeve but my big trade was a Japanese jacket for my shorts. This was made all the more entertaining by the fact that our captain, Dylan, had tried to trade most of the rest of his kit with the Japanese player earlier to no avail. There was also a barn dance at the fields on Friday night which was a huge amount of fun. Some of the coaches also played an impropu game on one of the fields which was very entertaining to watch. Once back at the halls some of the team went out to town but I was too worn out so I went to bed. The last event for the tournament were the finals. The USA were contesting all three divisions (men's, mixed, women's). The first final was the men's against Italy. Most people expected it to be a white wash but Italy ended up pushing them to within two points. An incredible game to watch. I ended up trading jersey with one of the Italians after too. The mixed final went to universe against Japan with the USA taking the win again and finally the USA completed the clean sweep beating Canada in the women's final 15-7. I managed to trade for a reversible Canadian training top after too! Not to be left out, New Zealand took the spirit award in all three divisions. We managed to come second in spirit in the men's division. It was incredibly hot watching the finals, even the trees provided little respite. We were given a final barbeque and then the closing party.

Before the Irish team went to the party we had a meeting to divide up the gifts given to us by the Chinese team. These were awarded, by majority vote, for best teammate, A game (person who played to the best of their ability), best moment on and off the pitch and also to the coaches. I was truly touched to have been awarded a jersey for being the best teammate and was nearly brought to tears by the kind words everyone had to say. Ian also won a prize for taking us for a quick mass (psalm in Irish) before each game. We then made our way to Perth zoo where the party was being held. They had a stage erected on a grass area and it was like a festival environment. It was so warm most of the guys ended up taking their shirts off and everyone had an amazing time. The only downside was that it finished at midnight. Again, I didn't feel like going to town so I went back to the accommodation, hung out with some Canadians and went to bed. We were going to go to the beach on Sunday but it was just way to hot so we just chilled at the accommodation, told stories, played games and eventually I and to say goodbye to everyone for another six months and headed for the airport with Joey to fly to Melbourne.

Sadly I didn't take photos myself but you can watch the highlights of the week here.