It is probably not the stuff of Tolkien however Ulster College are going to relish each second of an surprising journey this season.
Tonight in Jordanstown, the ladies of UU will host their first All Eire Tremendous League residence recreation once they tackle Brunell. As with most video games this season they are going to be underdogs, however an in depth defeat final weekend to Waterford gave some proof that they might convey extra to the desk than some suppose.
That's actually the sensation of coach Patrick O’Neill, who went via the wringer final season when UU bought to the Play-Off Remaining for a spot within the Tremendous League and got here up quick in opposition to NUIG Mystics – who they subsequently defeated two weeks later within the Division One League Cup Remaining.
Accepting that the Tremendous League dream had handed them by, O’Neill began getting ready for an additional season in Division One with out high performers Alex Mulligan and Abigail Rafferty, however then got here the decision in July that the supply was there for a spot within the elite tier in any case as St Mary’s had withdrawn.
“It was gut-wrenching after we misplaced the Play-Off Remaining to the Mystics as a result of it had been our purpose for years to get into the Tremendous League, so when the phrase got here via that we had that likelihood it was thrilling, but in addition we couldn’t instantly say sure as a result of there was going to be much more expense concerned,” mentioned O’Neill.
“We had a gathering with the college guys and so they had been nice, and the prospect has come simply as they're investing £10m in creating the Jordanstown Sports activities Village over the subsequent two years. So, we’re thrilled they're backing us and I’m more than happy with how now we have recruited.”
Whereas dropping Rafferty and Mulligan was a blow, they introduced in Beneath-18 Irish ace Maria Kealy, Beneath-17 worldwide Emma Gribben from Letterkenny and, most significantly, American A’Lexxus Davis, who has performed professionally in Germany and Romania. With skilled campaigners Lexi Posset and captain Aoife Callaghan remaining at their core, O’Neill is quietly optimistic that they'll have a memorable season.
He added: “We’re a really younger facet – most likely the youngest within the league – so it was a lift to get A’Lexxus in as a result of she performed for Trinity Meteors final season and after I heard she was not re-signing, I reached out to her and we bought a deal performed. She brings that degree of expertise and maturity that we wanted.
“I’ve mentioned for a very long time that now we have numerous gifted younger girls and so they simply want time to develop. We’ve already seen that this league is extra bodily and quicker so now we have to regulate, and I used to be very inspired by the efficiency in opposition to Waterford. We had been down by 20 after a nasty second quarter however then fought again and received the third quarter. Though we misplaced, there have been numerous encouraging indicators and we’re trying ahead to the problem of taking over Brunell.
“We’re anticipating an excellent crowd at Jordanstown and it’s going to be actually particular to have our first residence recreation within the Tremendous League.”