Ireland’s call for local girls

Ireland’s call for local girls

11 July 2012

A QUARTET of former Assumption Grammar School pupils have helped Ireland finish a fantastic fourth at the World University Netball Championships in South Africa.

Famous for its successful netball teams, the Ballynahinch school can take great pride in having produced a third of the Irish squad, with Assumption PE teacher Bronagh McAfee also serving as the team manager in support of coach Elaine Rice.

Former Northern Ireland captain McAfee was delighted to be in Cape Town to watch players she first worked with as young teenagers make a real impression against some of the world’s top teams.

By remarkable coincidence, Irish skipper, Oonagh McCullough and Northern Ireland captain Gemma Gibney from Loughinisland, were class mates at Assumption and now play alongside McAfee for Belfast-based NI League and Cup winners, Graduates.

The pair were key figures at either end of the court for the Irish students last week while Laura Mason from Drumaness and Downpatrick’s Sinead Redmond enjoyed cameo appearances from the bench.

Although Ireland were beaten 57-47 by South Africa in the tournament opener, convincing victories over the USA (67-16) and Zimbabwe (83-27) in their remaining group games set up a quarter-final against Uganda.

That proved to be a brutal battle against what Rice described as the most physical netball team she has ever seen and, having only lost to top seeds Great Britain by a single goal the previous day, the abrasive Africans fancied their chances of eclipsing Ireland.

But the greens dug deep and withstood a late onslaught to triumph 45-43, setting up a semi-final clash with the British, which was far closer than the 52-37 scoreline suggests as Ireland actually carved out more goal chances than their opponents.

However giant shooter Steffi Burt (6’4”) proved the difference between the teams with her high conversion rate, although Gibney battled heroically to restrict the number of shots she would get.

There was still a bronze medal to play for, but Ireland lost the third place play-off 41-30 to pre-tournament favourites Jamaica, in spite of another reasonably impressive performance.

“The girls can hold their heads high as finishing fourth in a tournament like this is something to be proud of, even in the absence of Australia and New Zealand,” said McAfee.

“But because they set themselves such high standards, the players were determined to win a medal of some shade and therefore are disappointed particularly after competing so well with the top teams.”

Attention now turns to Northern Ireland’s three test series against South Africa, which will be a daunting test for Gibney’s greens against the team ranked fifth in the world in their own back yard.

McCullough is also set to play a key role in the international matches, partnering former Northern Ireland captain Noleen Lennon from Portaferry in the shooting circle.