FridayTrains, buses, cars - we all got to Cork and met up in the Thirsty Scholar for a few brews. Murphys was flowing, Darkhorse turned up, Tigger was back and the craic was nowt short of mighty. We got a little oiled then home to bed, apart from the young ones - Sinead and Super went to Brog (score) and rolled in early in the morning. A fun start...
SaturdayGame 1: vs UCC 1: 9-5
We started this game excellently. Strong zone, solid O and good choices saw us build a 4-0 lead that was the difference really. As the game progressed we took our foot off the gas and let them back into it when we really couldve/shouldve closed it out. In fairness to Cork, they improved but it was a relatively scrappy start from our point of view with some silly throwing choices and a few bad drops.
Game 2: vs Ultimate de Lux: 9-5
In windier conditions we played really well against a decent de Lux team. Our zone punished them for most of the game, both upwind and downwind and we took our scores really well. Our long game progressed and despite a few dodgy calls (a lot of which were apologised for/discussed fairly!) the game was a fun one. They've a tough, tightly knit team and its always fun to play them.
Game 3: vs Bologna Zero51: 7-11
The low point of the weekend, naturally enough given we lost. Our zone didnt work particularly well and we had a lots of bad choices on O. There were silly turns across the team and Davide and co. punished them accordingly. For a team that had lost to Cork they played very well, but we should've beaten them all the same. A frustrating end to the day, but one that would stand to us if we could learn from it.
With our three games played we went back to the hostel then to Milanos for some delicious pizzas. After the Leinster game it was Zombie time. The hostel communal area was turned into a complete mess with facepaint, fake blood, booze, ketchup, clothes on fire and flour all over the place. Things were getting messy and it was great banter! We quickly went from mediocre costumes to great zombies coverred in blood and shredded clothes. We hit the streets for more messing (attacked a bus, drank, took photos) then piled into Cypress Avenue. The night itself is a blur probably best remembered for the ripped clothes that ended up being torn to shreds, Perfects messiness, some great dancing, lots of rum & coke and Luan getting up close and personal with an unfortunate Cork lass. Oh, did I mention what Super found in the jacks?
Breast in a bun and off to bed.
Sunday
Quarter-final: vs UCD: 13-6
UCD had won 4 of 4 on Saturday including a Colours crossover and looked strong. The game began with them running hard and converting any mistakes we made. Hag & Paedo were at the fore of all of it and soon they were 4-1 up. Conor was throwing well too, but maybe they missed Shimbo. We spoke about mental strength, about grit and determination and we had it in bucketloads in this game. Soon it was 4-4 and we were running hard, zoning well and getting the better of all the 50-50 battles. Soon half was taken with us 8-6 up and we scored 5 points without reply in a strong finish. Not the first game in which we'd need to fight back from behind.
We weren't the only slow starters...Fuf went 6-2 down to Cork before a fightback took them into a Bologna semifinal and Chimpo were 5-2 down and 7-6 down (game to 8). The showed their own intent with a 2 point turnaround to set up the game we all wanted...
Semi-final: vs Johnny Chimpo: 10-8
This was the one we'd targeted from weeks before. Semi-final, final, we didnt care. It was zoney, huck and D conditions to start with both teams happy to forego possession to avoid conceding easy goals. We realised we could play though and started to find holes on their Z. The game was scrappy but Chimpo had an edge in the early stages. I think we traded for a while, always a couple of points behind, then we got back into it with some nice long scores and quick O. Some mistakes crept in from them and from 7-8, to 8-8 game to 10. 2 points to end a barren run against a team that had always rubbed it in our faces. A break on the front of the endzone to Super and we went 9-8 up and were on D into the wind. They worked it patiently against our man D with Blonde getting a ridiculous grab but turned in our endzone. I got the disc 10 yards out and saw Perfect going long so lashed a flick into the wind. It bulleted low and hard, way off target, but Luan collected (thanks!) and threw the winning goal to Dave, with a massive grab, for the match. Cheers, smiles, hugs - no spikes
Final: vs FuF: 14-12
The final was brilliant. We started well, trading for a while before Fuf went on a fun, 3 points ahead I think they got. We'd been here twice and weren't rattled. They were strong against our zone to start so we switched to man. On O there was a lot of room but in the first 5/6 points we were a little guilty of trying too hard, with a few overthrows. The game settled though and we looked strong. We got turns and clawed our way back into the match. Soon it was us celebrating as we took the lead. Two quick scores though and the Belgians took half 8-7. It lashed ran, it blew a gale and eventually the sun came out and the lights on too. The crowd was pro-Broc and helped us fight for everything. 12-12 game to 14. We'd been here before. We scored, got a D then via a blade and a lovely leading pass from Super we won
I cant describe the elation. More hugs, more smiles and a feeling we've all been waiting for for years...
A big well done to everyone. Every player had a part to play and as a team we were strong together. More of this lads, much much more of this!
Big thanks to all the support too - it really meant a lot!
Broc MSP: Perfect Dave
Broc MVP: Marko
Final MVP: Marko
Spirit: UCC 2
