Monday, 31st August 2009, the Irish Women’s National Team Select travelled to Norrkoping, Sweden for the third edition of the NT Cup which is an ice hockey tournament for women attracting teams from many nations. The Irish Women’s National Development Team featured in this tournament last year and earned themselves praise from all involved.
This time however, the team found themselves competing alongside seven other teams hailing from Norway, Latvia and of course Sweden itself. The tournament itself comprised of two groups with the National Team Select part of Group B alongside Peking Pumas, Södertälje SK and Riga Ice Girls. They played all the teams in their group in round robin format and this was followed by a playoff against their equal from Group A.
Prior to the start of the tournament on Saturday, 5th September 2009, the Women took part in a rigorous training camp. They were put through their paces twice a day on the ice as well once off the ice. This lasted for a few days before they played a friendly game on Thursday against Vista Hasten U-12’s. Unfortunately the Women were on the wrong side of a 4 – 0 score line.
Once the weekend came, the Women were in a tough battle in their first game against the Peking Pumas. The Women took the lead early through Anne Whipple. However, the Pumas managed to tie the game with less than 45 seconds. It was heartbreak for the National Team Select but the reports suggest it was a thrilling game and the Women should hold their heads high.
Next up for the National Team Select were Södertälje SK and Riga Ice Girls. However, they unfortunately found themselves on the wrong side of 7 – 0 and 2 – 0 score lines, respectively. This left them in last place in their group which meant they would face Ormsta DE who finished last in Group A. Unforunately, the National Team Select struggled to find the net against a talented team and lost the game 1 – 0.
Full details of the NT Cup can be found at the tournament website http://pekingpumas.se/nt-cup.
Meanwhile, here on www.iiha.org the team’s progress throughout the week can be reviewed with a blog from one of the players, Keira Keenan.
The following players would also like to thank their sponsors who helped them afford the costs associated with the trip:
Anne Whipple (Jerry Aherne, Ann Corry & Lar Keenan, Barrowvale Vet Clinic, Carlow; Mr. & Mrs. Mike Mason, Minnesota; Mr. & Mrs. Roger Whipple, Wisconsin)
Jeanine DeVolder (Forensic Psycological Services, Dun Laoghaire)
Lorna Hoey (Ann Clarke, Oriel Statoil Station, Dundalk; Francis Delaney, JJB Soccer Dome, Dundalk; Tony Martin, Cluan Enda, Dundalk)
Jade McCrainor (NI International Children’s Charity Appeal, Belfast)
Catherine O’Reilly (Hugh Bradley Orthodontist, Dundalk)
Sonya McEneaney (Felda Health & Fitness Spa, Dundalk)
Caoimhe Lynch (Breffini Couriors, Collon; Nolean O’Hanlon, Omeath; North Louth Services, Omeath; Martin Food Equipment, Dundalk)
Beatty Hosgood (Enniscorthy Credit Union, Wexford)
Kit Thornton (Tonny Thornton, Immortal Air, Canada)
Caris McKnight (Bloomfield Collegiate School, Belfast)
Elaine McCann (Subway, Dundalk; Mr. & Mrs. Aidan McCann; John Shepard, Matthews Pharmacy, Dundalk; John Laverty, Laverty’s Motor Factors, Dundalk; James Cumiskey, European Mortages, Dundalk)
Amie McCabe (Fonacab, Belfast)
Seanna Conway (data88.com, Dublin; Fitzgerald’s B&B, Ohio)