Irish team narrowly miss out on European glory
It took extra-time to separate the Ireland ladies netball team from tournament favourites Great Britain in the 2010 European Festival.
In a breathtaking final the Irish team came from behind to level the scores at 18 all in the final minutes of normal time before eventually losing out 26-22 in extra time.
Hosted by Malta Netball and held over the bank holiday weekend the Netball Europe Festival brought together developing teams from across Europe. Lead by captain Julie Fogarty Ireland comfortably qualified for the final with convincing wins over Gibralter and Sweden. Spearhead by the attacking partnership of Zara Heuston and Caroline Conlon the team notched up over a hundred goals in the group stage. While at other end of the court Sile Smith and Jan Haynes formed one of the strongest defences in the competition.
The group form meant Ireland were confident going into the final against Great Britain. However their opponents also had a 100% record in the group stages with victories over Israel and hosts Malta. In a very competitive game Ireland trailed by only 4 points at half time with Niamh Murphy and Katie Henderson working hard to control the centre court. In the second half fearless Irish defence ensured the Great Britain team could not open the kind of lead they had become accustomed to earlier in the tournament. Going into the final quarter the deficit had been reduced to three points which was how it stayed until the final minutes of the match. Uncharacteristic mistakes from the younger Great Britain team gave Ireland an opportunity and accurate shooting under pressure from Heuston and Conlon levelled the scores at 18 all.
Extra time consisted of two additional seven minute periods, during which Ireland again managed to stay in contention. The team held many of their centre passes before the Great Britain team began to establish a winning margin and finally won 26-22.
The team were understandably deflated at the final whistle but their performances throughout the festival had impressed many people and demonstrated their continuing development under Coach Lynette Wall.
Manager Rhian Humphreys said that she was “delighted” with what the team had achieved particularly considering this was many of the ladies maiden overseas tournament.
Coach Lynette Wall said that she has never been prouder of the team.
"We are so proud of the achievements of this team - this is just the start of great things to come" Liz Allan, Netball Ireland Committee
Squad
Anna Heffernan
Caroline Conlon
Julie Fogarty (Captain)
Katie Henderson
Jan Hynes
Michelle Dunne
Michelle Liddy
Niamh Murphy
Sandra Green
Sile Smith
Sinead Darcy Bewick
Zara Heuston
Netball Ireland player of the tournament -
Sile Smith
Results
Group stage
Gibraltar win 30-4
Sweden win 28-3
Gibraltar win 36-3
Sweden win 31-4
Final
GB lost 26-22
Written by Adrian Humphreys