Amsterdam was our first port of call in 2024 for the European Hurling and Camogie Championships 2024, and we sent a number of players to represent us. We joined up with our friends from Leuven for the day. Amsterdam was the location of our first full-team appearance in a European hurling tournament back in 2019… that feels like a lifetime ago!
Laura, Katharina, Dave, Niall, Eoin, Jan, Alanna, Alex, Caitríona, and Phoebe were the Celts who represented us here. They teamed up with Leuven for the day in hurling and camogie.
This report comes from our hurling coach, Jan Stolle:
Arriving at Amsterdam
The majority of our players, including Laura, Katharina, Dave, Niall, and Eoin, travelled by train to Amsterdam on Friday evening. Several of us used the opportunity to enjoy a long weekend in the city, as Amsterdam has a lot to offer away from the hurling pitch. Our players spent their time visiting museums, going on canal tours and generally just enjoying the atmosphere in the centre of Amsterdam. The Rijksmuseum was a highlight for some of our players, especially Niall, who was particularly impressed by the collection of Van Gogh’s masterpieces there.
The evenings were perfect for socialising and team bonding. On the first night, a few of us gathered at a local pub for a drink. However, as the weekend progressed, our focus gradually shifted towards the main event: the tournament.
As the Celts, we met at a specific spot at the location in Amsterdam on Saturday, and thankfully everyone was punctual. The hurlers quickly gathered and immediately met the lads from Leuven. In one of the changing rooms, we were warmly greeted by Shane, the Leuven captain. Shane, with a sense of humour, warned us that their jerseys hadn’t been washed and might smell a bit. However, the odour wasn’t as bad as we had feared!
We found ourselves in Group 3, facing Luxembourg B, our eternal frienemies Darmstadt, and the combined team from Prague and Vienna. This was Leuven’s first tournament, so they were unranked, which placed us in the lowest group. However, this was perfectly fine for us; we were ready to take on the challenge.
The Tournament
First Group Match: Against Luxembourg B
Our first match in the group was against Luxembourg B, which we anticipated would be our toughest opponent. This assumption proved correct as they eventually advanced to the plate semifinals.
The lineup for Leuven included Ronan, who, despite normally being a forward, played in goal. Alex played in midfield, Shane, the captain, was positioned as a back, and Liam covered midfield. Praha also started as a midfielder but later moved to goals due to an injury. The forwards included Matthew and Keith, who also played in midfield, and two international players from Leuven who played as forwards.
Although Jan did not play in the first match, Eoin and Niall represented the Celts from the start, with Eoin taking his usual position as fullback or halfback and Niall as a forward. Our lack of a dedicated goalkeeper proved to be our biggest challenge, leading to the concession of two goals, including one early in the first half. We found ourselves down by two points at halftime.
In the second half, the Irish players, particularly Liam from Leuven, began to dominate. Liam’s scoring from midfield and frees turned the tide. The match grew increasingly tense, culminating in a dramatic final moment. A Luxembourg player committed a blatant foul, tripping a Leuven player from behind. The referee saw the foul and issued a yellow card, leading to a crucial free, which Liam successfully converted.
This last-minute foul and the resulting point secured an unexpected victory for us over Luxembourg B. The performance underscored Leuven’s potential, showcasing the skill and experience of their Irish players, particularly Eoin, who delivered an outstanding performance from the moment he stepped on the field.
Second Group Match: Against Darmstadt
Our second match was against our familiar frenemies from Darmstadt. The scheduling gave us back-to-back group games, which we were somewhat concerned about, but it ultimately turned out to be an advantage. Many of the Darmstadt players were well-known to us from various tournaments and the World Games in Derry last year. This familiarity allowed me to provide some strategic advice to the Leuven lads on who the most dangerous opponents were.
For this match, Jan joined Shane, the Leuven captain, and Eoin in the backline, while Niall and Dave both saw time as forwards. We dominated the first half, scoring four goals and several points through a concentrated team effort, particularly in defence. Our defence was formidable, conceding only one goal in the second half. Our ability to secure many puckouts in midfield gave us a significant advantage and contributed to our commanding lead.
The second half saw a more relaxed pace, as we ensured that all players, including the international players from Leuven, received match time. This inclusive approach not only maintained team morale but also allowed us to maintain our comfortable advantage and secure our win over Darmstadt.
Final Group Match: Against Prague/Vienna
Our final game in the group stage against the amalgamated team of Prague and Vienna proved to be one of the trickiest matches. Jan started in the backline alongside Shane and Eoin, a defensive combination we maintained for the rest of the tournament, which made defending much easier.
Having won our first two games, we knew we had secured one of the top two places in our group and were set to advance to the qualification matches for the Plate. This confidence might have led to a slightly complacent attitude, as we played our worst first half of the tournament. At halftime, the score was either level or differed by just a point, reflecting a lacklustre performance.
However, we regrouped during the break and entered the second half with renewed focus and energy. Our team picked up momentum, increased the pace, and managed to score two more goals and several points. This strong second-half performance allowed us to win the match by a comfortable margin, ensuring we finished first in our group and advanced to the qualifier match for the Plate.
Semi-Final v Darmstadt
The semifinal of the Plate pitted us against Darmstadt once again. After only a short break, nearly back-to-back games tested our stamina and resilience. We negotiated with the referee for a 10 to 15-minute break and agreed on 10 minutes, though in hindsight, a longer rest would have been beneficial.
Determined to secure a victory early, we decided to dominate the match in the first half by fielding our strongest squad. Due to his injury, Praha was placed in goals, while Ronan, playing as a forward, injected fresh energy and speed, causing significant trouble for the Darmstadt defence. I joined Eoin and Shane in the backline once more.
Our strategy paid off as planned. Liam, Alex, Matthew, and Keith exerted immense pressure on Darmstadt’s midfield and backs, contributing goals and points that gave us a comfortable lead by halftime.
With a strong lead established, we rotated our players in the second half. Niall, Dave, and Alessandro from Leuven all saw time on the field as we saw the match out. This decisive win in the semifinal not only highlighted our team’s depth and versatility but also set a positive tone as we advanced further in the tournament.
The Final v Hamburg
Our victory in the semifinal secured us a spot in the final against another regular opponent, Hamburg. Before our match, we had the chance to watch Hamburg’s semi-final, where they defeated Prague/Vienna by a substantial margin. Facing Hamburg in the final felt reminiscent of the German Cup, but this time, the conditions were quite different. Hamburg was missing some of their key players: Fergal, undoubtedly their best player, was absent, and Andrew and Søren, two other formidable players, had sustained injuries during the tournament and couldn’t participate in the final. This situation presented us with a notable advantage.
Despite our fatigue, we were highly motivated, recognising this as a prime opportunity to win the Plate at the European level. We started the match with our usual lineup: a solid backline, Alex and Liam in the midfield, and Ronan, Keith, and Matthew as forwards. Our midfield, once again, dominated the game, scoring early goals and points, which boosted our confidence and secured a comfortable lead.
In the second half, our primary focus was on defending our lead against Hamburg. As the game progressed, Hamburg, acknowledging the unlikelihood of a comeback, substituted in their less experienced players. This allowed us to maintain our lead and ultimately secure a well-deserved victory.
Our celebrations following the match were enthusiastic, yet we also extended a round of applause to Hamburg. They demonstrated commendable resilience by reaching the Plate final despite their setbacks, including the injuries to Andrew and Søren and the tough group they faced due to last year’s seeding. Reaching the final under such circumstances was a significant achievement for them, and they expressed their pride in this accomplishment.
Player Performances
Like last time in Hamburg, I would like to say a few words about our players.
Eoin
Eoin was once again an exceptional player throughout the tournament. Starting from the first minute, he was a reliable fullback and halfback, consistently excellent in his defence. His passing was impeccable—no missed passes, no dropped balls. Although he had a few wides, his overall performance was outstanding. Eoin’s ability to score, despite playing in the backline, highlighted his exceptional skill level. His contributions were crucial in securing the Plate.
Niall
Niall played in the full forward line as usual, sharing his match time with both the Irish and international players from Leuven. Although he didn’t score any goals or points, he consistently applied pressure on the opponents‘ goalkeepers and fullback line, always posing a threat. His presence was a constant concern for the opposition and contributed significantly to our attack.
Dave
Dave, playing in the full forward line, faced the challenge of competing in his first European tournament among many experienced Irish players. Despite not getting much match time, he maintained a positive attitude and supported the team enthusiastically from the sideline. When on the pitch, Dave provided good energy and demonstrated the qualities of a great substitute, contributing to the team’s morale and overall performance.
Jan
Jan played true to form, delivering a solid defensive performance throughout the tournament. Positioned in the fullback line alongside Shane and Eoin, he found his role made easier by their excellent coordination and support. Jan made several crucial interceptions and blocks, and his passing was consistently reliable. He also took the opportunity to showcase his trademark overhead catch whenever possible.
Jan received a significant amount of match time, participating in every game except for the first match against Luxembourg. In most matches, with the exception of the semifinal against Darmstadt, where he sat out the second half, he played almost the entire match, demonstrating the importance of a solid backline. His consistent presence on the field and his contributions were pivotal to the team’s overall success.
Final Thoughts
Overall, it was a truly fantastic tournament, excellently organised by Tony from Maastricht. His efforts in putting together the schedule and seeding ensured a smooth and competitive event. The quality of the pitches varied, with one in particular of a noticeably higher standard than the other. However, the consistent sunshine and pleasant temperatures made the competition enjoyable.
The tight schedule meant we had limited breaks between matches, which unfortunately prevented us from watching the camogie players in action. Nevertheless, witnessing their success in winning the Shield final was a highlight of the tournament.
I do want to highlight the fantastic camaraderie and sportsmanship displayed by our camogie and hurling counterparts from Leuven. They were incredibly welcoming and pleasant to play alongside, making the experience even more enjoyable. Meeting them was a pleasure, and I’m grateful to have made new friends in Europe, particularly in Belgium. While I look forward to seeing them again, I must admit that I hope our next meeting will be as opponents on the field rather than teammates!
Cologne Celtics 