Friday 21st October

The slickest of departures for 60 excited children preceded a very uneventful journey to Birmingham Airport. When there, we were entertained in the lounge by a group celebrating Divali, which some joined in with gusto. A slight delay followed, but nothing major and before we knew it we landed in the Emerald Isle to unexpected glorious sunshine. The excitement continued all the way to the hotel and, with no time to unpack, we turned around and marched into town for dinner. Sole occupancy of La Pizza on O’Connell Street and traditional Irish fare was consumed with gusto. We were certainly tired and ready for bed on our return to the Belvedere, dreaming of the great things to come.

Saturday 22nd October

The first ‘full Irish’ experience, an ‘all-you-can-eat’ buffet and the hubbub of anticipation within the crowded dining room could not hide the fact that the first matches were imminent. Cereals, fruit, yoghurt, pastries for those watching their waistlines, and the traditional white and black pudding to augment sausage, bacon, eggs, beans, and hash browns meant there was something for everyone, and with boilers well stoked the groups departed for their first international sporting experiences.
Both opposition schools were in the town of Blackrock, just outside the city, and most conveniently it was only 200 yards between each. There was impressive support from home on the touchlines as the full Irish sporting Saturday morning was witnessed all around us.

Boys A v Willow Park - won 33-10
Willow Park – probably the most competitive prep school in Europe when we speak in rugby terms: 160 boys in Y8 alone to choose from, making 10 regular XVs. Remember - seven of our team are Y7. We observed Willow Park’s first team warm up. I almost strained my neck looking up at their biggest players. But when the match started against one of their high echelon XVs who had physical parity with our team – a good contest ensued. After a craicing(!!) warm up the boys went missing in action for the first fifteen minutes. The Willow Park team were a feisty bunch who contested every break down with venom. Bruised and battered, the boys clawed their way back into the game and it took a couple of hard knocks to wake them up. And wake up they did! Five tries were scored with four conversions. The team showed bouncebackability and good character to respond. But I would love it if they could come of the blocks with fire in their eyes. Tries were scored by Jamie Thorley (2), Cameron Redpath, Edward Johnston and Hugo Bradshaw, with Joss Edwards claiming 4 conversions. Two more tries were disallowed… and the final whistle went on our last score (sans conversion!). But it is all part of the wonderful collective memory of being on tour.
Man of the Match: Jamie Thorley

Boys B v Willow Park – lost 19-27
For the B XV, this was quite truly a battle to the death, with both teams evenly matched and literally going hammer and tong. The boys quickly found their feet and, within the space of 7 minutes, established a 12 – 0 lead through tries from Max Hindmarch and Barnaby Harris, with Max Dymoke converting one. However, the loss of the influential Jordan Pemberton with a broken finger left a huge gap in our backline and holes slowly started to open up. Despite another try from Max Dymoke, it was Willow Park who came out victorious. To the boys’ credit, they battled hard and in the end Willow Park had to bring on some of their bigger boys to keep their noses ahead. The effort and commitment from the boys was immense and to get so close was a massive achievement.
Man of the Match: Charlie Boyce

Girls A v St Andrew’s – lost 0-1
(Report by Zara Wynne, Captain)
We started strongly with lots of passing, followed by a couple of short corners, with some great striking from India Blake. We had some action in the defensive D, got rid of by India Kirkpatrick, Kiera Barry, Amber Beachus and Zara Wynne. We also had some great running from the mids, Georgie Fowler, Emily Campbell and India Blake. Ella Mayes had some great shots towards goal. Unfortunately, in the second half, after continuous short corners they managed to slip one past our goalie Lucy Meecham-Jones. Overall a great game from everyone!
Girl of the Game: Lucy Meecham-Jones

From a coaches’ perspective….. this was the first run out for the girls on a “big pitch” and despite feeling slightly overawed by the prospect of playing an U14A team who were used to playing the 11-a-side game, the girls all gave it their all, right from the first whistle. India Blake was in control in the middle of the pitch; player of the match, but we were impressed by all 11 girls. Some great tackling, space finding and some “almost” goals. Now we know what the 11-a-side game is about and the amount of effort required, we are looking forward to the next match in Cork.

Girls B v St Andrew’s – lost 0-1
(Report by Ella Timmis, Captain)
After watching the As play we knew that we were in for a tough match, but every single girl played their hearts out! All of the defenders and the goalkeeper kept the ball out of the D, only letting one goal in. Ella Cutler and Lucy Kirkpatrick had great teamwork at the front. Molly Caesar, Bella Johnson and Libby Barnes kept their sticks down and intercepted great balls! We also had great support from the teachers and the A team girls cheering us on, thank you! After all of that effort, we only lost by one goal!
Girls of the Game: Genevieve Alltimes and Ella Timmis, who both absolutely worked their socks off - well done girls.

A welcome lunch back at base, and the chance to shower, change and recover, and then it was off for the GAA experience – the first half of a junior Gaelic Football match (Na Fianna v Ballyboden St.Endas) followed by senior Hurling (Na Fianna v Naomh Mearnog). We were fortunate to have the history of the two games explained to us, and how popular the sport is in the island or Ireland with more than 2000 GAA clubs. Hurling dates back to 1000BC, and it did seem that there was still confusion over the rule book, and this moreso than the football was a fantastic experience. The pitch was over 150 yards long, both games played using the same markings. The far goal really was in the distance! The slither (hurling ball) was hit at speeds up to 160km/h, the fastest team sport in the world, and for distances of over 100 yards. Mandatory was the wearing of head protection, but for some strange reason there were no shin pads or arm guards. It was not so much rough – it just seemed a good excuse to hit someone with a stick! We were able to visit the hurley workshop, where some purchased souvenirs, and also try them out on the practice courts within the club grounds. Nowhere else in the world is the Saturday afternoon spent in such fashion!

Dinner was taken in Toscana, and consumed in great tourist atmosphere as the boys and girls shared their considerable and varied experiences of the day. A damp return to base across the Liffey and through the lively streets of Dublin, where the night was still very young, with X Factor waiting in the welcome warmth and security of the Belvedere. A great end to a great day.

Sunday 23rd October

The ‘full Irish’ was every bit as good second time around, punctuated as we all sang to Emily Campbell on her birthday. The schedule allowed for the girls to leave early for their training while the boys, with some rather blearly-eyed supporting Dads, settled to watch the rugby World Cup final before setting off for their coaching session.

The girls enjoyed a very varied and exciting hockey training session with 127-capped Venezuelan international and current SW Ireland Hockey Administrator Lucas Picciolli, and the boys were taken through their paces by Tony Smeeth, one-time coach of the US Eagles, Ireland Youth teams and currently coach at Blackrock College. The most welcome lunch preceded a brief period of ‘down-time’, the chance to chat, pack and a room-check before the afternoon excursion to the Guinness Storehouse.

It never ceases to amaze that Arthur Guinness secured a 9,000 year lease on the St.James’ Gate site where the brewing has been in operation since 1759. The historical museum and self-guided tour of ‘Guinness through the ages’ was incredibly well laid out, with almost too much information available to be considered. There was the opportunity to experience the Gravity Bar and refreshment on the 7th floor, with typical views over the Dublin skyline on a rainy and blustery Sunday, as well as the considerable experience of the Guinness Store to peruse and even acquire merchandise and souvenirs available. It was the ideal thing to do on such a wet and unpleasant afternoon.

Monday 24th October

An unexpectedly dry morning allowed for an even more efficient and slick departure form the Belvedere in Dublin for our transfer to Cork. The newly opened road link made the journey effortless, and it was not long before the soup and sandwiches of the Blarney Golf Resort were being consumed by all. A quick acclimatisation in the fantastically appointed holiday chalets added to the excitement before the boys departed for their early Christian Brothers College experience, allowing the girls a later leave to watch the boys before continuing to Garryduff where the boys eventually caught up – a really nice opportunity for the boys and girls to support and watch each other in action.

Boys A v CBC – lost 12-31
Mental note – if you play against a Cork school and tell them you are a mixture of U13 and U12s be aware that they are prone to ignoring the ’U’ bit. Omens weren’t good when kit bags came out with U14 scribed on the side! They were massive. Route one rugby meant that the opposition ran over our boys and the game was not pretty as the boys reversed to type. But there were positives: many of the players were brave and threw themselves into the tackle; Messrs Luke Knudsen, Oliver Cook and Cameron Redpath take a bow. I liaised with the referee to ensure there was safety at the scummage. Ironically, we won the contest at the scrum thanks to the talents of Oliver Cook, Max Taylor Baggs and debutant Charlie Boyce. When I spoke to the boys afterwards I reminded them that sometimes progress is invisible – they are tougher for the experience and have learned to play on the back foot and under pressure. However, too many of my more accomplished players in Y8 are too quiet and need to learn that a voice generates confidence. Cameron Redpath and Luke Knudsen scored the tries. Put into context – their U14s beat Terenure College 40 -0 last weekend and we had seven Year 7 s playing today.
Men of the Match – Oliver Cook & Max Taylor-Baggs

Boys B v CBC – lost 12-34
So far this tour the B XV have showed some real guts and determination, and today was no exception. After the bruising encounter against Willow Park, it was hard work playing against CBC’s U14 side, whose 7ft status and moustaches sent a shiver down the boys’ spines. But credit to them - they stuck to their guns and tackled everything that came their way. In truth, the CBC boys were not particularly skilful and were just very large, whose pure strength simply pushed us off the ball. When we did get the ball, we ran it hard and passed the ball wide to our strengths. Tries came from Tom Stanton and Josh Pimlott through some excellent team play. I was extremely proud of the efforts and hope that we can use this as a positive step forward. Bring on the Grammar School. Well done.
Men of the Match – Tom Stanton & Josh Pimlott

Girls A v Church of Ireland HC – won 3-0
Right from the start, the lessons learned from the previous day’s training session were there to be seen as the girls thoughtfully occupied space and the ball was passed with speed and accuracy. Such a simple game! It was one-way traffic and the only reward was a well taken strike from Ella Mayes. More of the same was seen in the second half as the ball continued to be spread wide and the two goals from India Blake and Rheanna Hopkins were suitable reward for our domination. It really was hockey of the highest quality. The post-match hospitality was excellent, and it was nice to have the boys supporting for the second half, singing and cheering, and witnessing such a good performance.
Girl of the Game : Ella Mayes

Girls B v Church of Ireland HC – won 5-0
Arriving at Garryduff’s beautiful grounds, the girls knew that their opposition would take their hockey very seriously. They started the match enthused and eager, making some excellent breaks for goal, but the CoI defence was strong which meant we had to keep retreating and eventually Ella Cutler got the ball around the goalkeeper putting us 1-0 up. CoI did not take this lying down, and put extreme pressure on our defence right up til half-time. Our h-t team talk focused on the content from Lucas’s teaching from practice the previous day, to create more options of passing in the D by supporting in attack. The girls listened well and became a constant threat to the CoI goal. Chances were missed, but 4 brilliant goals set up through teamwork ensued by Lucy Kirkpatrick, Georgie Fowler, Molly Caesar and Arabella Johnson – the whole team can be proud of their performance.
Girls of the Game – Ella Cutler & Lucy Kirkpatrick

We were fortunate to stop off for dinner in the city of Cork at the Soho Bar. Only the Irish would plan for and then execute a barbeque in late October, providing the fresh cooked meats for a truly excellent spread – salads and vegetable accompaniments impressing even the most ardent carnivores amongst us.

Tuesday 25th October

The morning’s training sessions, following yet another ‘full Irish’, were again full of new tips and techniques. Phil Smith, current Ireland International, hockey player occupied the girls with a number of innovative drills, skills and tricks, and Brendan O’Connor, currently i/c the Munster U19 rugby team, did likewise for the boys at the very impressive Cork Institute of Technology complex.

Boys A v Bandon Grammar – won 12-7
Wow! Are you ready for a whole host of superlatives? What progression from boys who are willing to respond to coaching. Yesterday I asked for my Y8s to step up with their voice and today they did, and more. Will Hardy slowed the opposition’s ball and provided a contest for the rest of his forwards to follow. Oliver Cook led the scrummage and as usual took a haul against the head with his front row compatriots. Luke Knudsen had his best game with powerful running lines and scored a great try. Jamie Thorley scored the second and was brilliant in organising the defence out wide. Charlie Holloway bossed the game and was instrumental in establishing the pattern and rhythm of play; he also put pressure on their 9 at the set piece. Joss Edwards provided a great attacking option from the back and acted as a playmaker on lots of phases. Edward Johnston, an accomplished, footballer has earned his stripes as a back row forward – today he read the game magnificently and worked out when to vary his play. The Y7s? Well they followed and fought against older, bigger boys and came out with real credit. Today they played like College boys and I was extremely proud of them all. They beat an unbeaten Brandon and played technically sound football. Well done all!
Men of the Match: Edward Johnston & Charlie Holloway

Boys B v Bandon Grammar – lost 12-13
It was such a shame that the Bandon B team just sneaked it at the whistle. Even opening skirmishes suggested an even game was to follow, and it required a fantastic spread of the ball from a left sided breakdown to go through several pairs of hands for Eduardo Capelastegui to touch down on the opposite flank. The close—fought contests continued, the game remaining tight and the score see-sawing. But despite a second try from Jamie Orme, converted by Max Dymoke, we were not able to keep our noses in front and the unbeaten season of the Bandon B team continued thanks to a penalty late on. There was little more that our boys could have done, and all should be superbly proud of their efforts.
Man of the Match: Eduardo Capelastegui

Girls A v Bandon Grammar – won 2-0
The improvement continued as space was sought wide and the midfield was strong. It was a very even contest, with the Bandon defence able to cope with most of our attacks. But the deadlock was broken with some supreme skill from Ella Mayes as she powered a reverse stick hard and low into the corner, giving the goalie no chance. We then had to defend a series of short corners, where the Bandon girls were given little space by our surges from the line. It was at the other end that the game was eventually won, with India Blake’s hard strike from a penalty corner again giving the goalie little chance. It was great to see the width created, and the total commitment of all involved. Very well done.
Girls of the Game : Rheanna Hopkins & Kiera Barry

Girls B v Bandon Grammar – won 7-0
Despite Libby Barnes getting stung by an unseasonable wasp just minutes before the start of play, the team asserted themselves on the game right from the whistle. Within a couple of minutes Arabella Johnson fired in her first goal of the match and continued on to score an impressive first half hat-trick. There was some great attacking play and we went from strength to strength with two further goals in the first half from Libby Barnes and Ella Cutler. In the second half Ella and Arabella (the far-post pinball machine) scored another goal each, with some great midfield support from Athena Charalambous and Georgie Fowler. The final whistle blew at 7-0. The girls were gleeful at their impressive win and the staff were very proud to see the team using what they had learnt in training to such great effect. Well done!
Girl of the Game : Arabella Johnson

It was a happy bunch of school children who responsibly packed for their return journey before settling down for a short and rare period of R&R, with many opting to go swimming while others simply chilled. Meanwhile, plans were afoot for the imminent Presentation Dinner, to be held in the impressive Gerry O’Connor suite.

Joining the 60 children and 10 staff, it was great to see 31 travelling supporters and our two excellent and most accommodating drivers for the week, Simon and David. The 19 supporting adults were able to form two ‘grown up’ tables, allowing the siblings to have their own separate and uninterrupted fun. The 3-course meal allowed all to chat and reminisce over the past 5 days, as well as for some to compare from their own experiences from the 2009 Tour, both parents and pupils, which was so good to see. After the meal, the presentations were made for the 9 Girls of the Game and Men of the Match as already identified, with further awards made collectively by the staff from the Tour experiences. These were :
Joker - Nicole Yeman and Max Hindmarch
Rising Star - Amber Beachus and Tommy Maddinson
Queen - India Kirkness and Zara Wynne
King - Like Knudsen
Ace - India Blake and Cameron Redpath

There then followed a few short Talent opportunites, completely voluntary :
Car Wash – Max Dymoke, Max Hindmarch & Bradley Marshall with LLF/JM
Look what I can do with my eyes and tummy – Ben Schallamach
Wriggley Worm – Arabella Johnson
Seeing The Light – Edward Johnston
Dawson’s Day – DMMA/JEW/RMW
Hockey Hacka – India Blake, Holly Graveney, Rheanna Hopkins, Lucy Kirkpatrick, Ella Mayes, Ella Timmis
Totally Devoted to You – Molly Caesar
Show Me the Way to Go Home – KAP et al

In all, a really fun and fitting way to conclude the Tour!

The Tour Party :
Girls - Kiera Barry, India Blake, Emily Campbell, Molly Caesar, Athena Charalambous, Holly Graveney, Rheanna Hopkins, India Kirkness, Lucy Kirkpatrick, Ella Mayes, Lucy Meecham-Jones, Izzy Stannett, Ella Timmins, Zara Wynne, Nicole Yeman, Genevieve Alltimes, Libby Barnes, Amber Beachus, Ella Cutler, Georgie Fowler, Arabella Johnson, Henrietta Ryan.
Boys – Michali Asprou, Huog Bradshaw, Ollie Cook, Max Dymoke, Joss Edwards, Will Hardy, Max Hindmarch, Charlie Holloway, Edward Johnston, James King, Luke Knudsen, Bradley Marshall, Fergus McNeile, Jamie Orme, Jamie Thorley, Charlie Boyce, Harrison Campbell, Eduardo Capelastegui, Patrick Christopher, Robert Donnelly, Oliver Ferris, Barnaby Harris, Henry Johnson, Tommy Maddinson, Roger Mortimore, Harrison Ottley-Woodd, Jordan Pemberton, Cameron Redpath, Dougal Rees, Ben Schallamach, Tom Stanton, Max Taylor-Baggs, Kierna Thorley, Will Todd, JJ Tonks, Arthur Townend, Edward Winstanley.
Staff –Miss D Anderes, Mrs LL Flanagan, Mrs J Miles, Mrs S Woodall, AM Dawson, RHF Hall, AP Manley, KA Parsley, JE Walton, RM Wells.

Wednesday 26th October

As we made tracks for our journey home, we stopped off in the picturesque village of Blarney amid the golden red autumn leaves, bathed in dappled shafts of brilliant sunshine with the babble of the swollen and engorged stream adding to the ambiance of this idyllic setting. The steep and spiralling gnarled stairway, with worn rope banisters clenched by centuries of firm right-hand grips, lead eventually to the knee-trembling views witnessed by so many expectant stone-kissers over the ages. Yelps of terror and delight at the sheer height could be heard from the ancient battlements, mainly emanating from the slightly panting lungs of Mrs Flanagan, as one by one our illustrious party was lowered carefully over the firm thighs of the strapping Irishman, so trusted and skilled in his work, into the reverse supine position in readiness for ‘The Kiss’. Lips were puckered, and then pressed gently against the smooth, worn and slightly moist slab of Irish folklore known as the Blarney Stone. Instantly, the magic of the legend diffused through every vein, pore and straining sinew of the Kisser. Then we went to a shop, and then to the Poison Garden. Then on to another shop, and yet another. Then we got on the bus to the airport. Then we ate Subway for lunch. Then we got on the plane. Then we came home. The End.