Irish representatives Old Alexandra HC join the top club sides in women’s European hockey in Madrid this Easter weekend for the Division A Cup Winner’s Cup competition. The club’s most recent foray into European competition was in 1999, in Rome when they won the gold medal in the Division B competition defeating Belgian side Royal Leopold.
Eight years later and three of the squad from that competition are preparing for the challenge of Division A European hockey. Jan Ovington, Gillian O'Shea and Zanya Dahl are under no illusions about the standards required to compete with the elite players of Europe. O'Shea explains: “I feel my experience in Rome will definitely help my preparations for Madrid, however this is a step up in level from anything we've ever played. It's going to be at least 10 times harder.” Ovington agrees: “I didn't know what to expect when I competed in Rome. It's only looking back at that tournament now, as we prepare for Madrid, that you fully appreciate what an incredible experience it was and how difficult this competition will be”.
Irish teams have traditionally been very strong in the division B competition but upon winning promotion find the elite A division extremely competitive. The step up in standard is marked and will be unlike anything the majority of the squad will have experienced. Old Alex can call on the Division A experience of players Zanya Dahl and Ann-Marie Cullen. Cullen, a member of the Loreto team that played in the Division A competition in Amsterdam in 2004 illustrates the gulf between the professional and the amateur hockey players. “We arrived to the pitch in a team coach, while the Amsterdam players all arrived in sponsored cars; from the word 'go' we knew we were playing against professionals”.
While their Division A opponents can boast numerous internationals on their squads, Alex also have international class players. Dahl has 17 Irish caps and young talents Shauna Frey and Jeamie Deacon have also had senior international experience and are part of the Ireland Development Squad. Dahl reckons that “the international players will be aware of how tough it will be; the speed the games will be at. For the squad as a whole, it's going to be a level above what we play in the Leinster league”. International experience will also be of help for the demanding schedule that awaits – 3 pool games and a play-off match in 4 days. “Having been on international trips, things like recovery, the kind of foods we eat, how to stay fully hydrated are going to be very important.”
Alex potentially face an intense month of matches, with the climax of the Leinster league and the Club Championships either side of their trip to Madrid. With a tremendous support staff and meticulous preparations behind them, coach Fred McDarby and his squad can look forward to a challenging and unforgettable experience in Madrid. As O’Shea puts it: “to play in a European competition is a great honour and a fantastic opportunity – one that we have trained very hard for. The hockey will be brilliant and the atmosphere will be fantastic – we can’t wait”.
Old Alex play their first pool game against German side Stadion Rot-Weiss Koln on Thursday April 5th.
European Cup Winners Cup Women, Division A, Club de Campo Madrid
Match schedule:
Thursday April 5th 10.00am Stadion Rot-Weiss Koln vs. Old Alex
Friday April 6th 12.00pm Canterbury LHC vs. Old Alex
Saturday April 7th 10.00am Glasgow En-Croute Western vs. Old Alex
Sunday April 8th Cross over matches from 9am
Tournament website: http://www.clubvillademadrid.com/recopahockey/2007/htm_en/default.htm
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