The UCD Men’s Lacrosse Team eagerly await the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work and preparation as they get set for a number of upcoming tournaments, try-outs and championship deciders.

This year’s group are a motley crew made up of experienced players and players new to the game alike. For the past five years, UCD has been the pride of Irish Lacrosse in terms of gaining and retaining players new to the game. This year has been no different with the addition of a number of great athletes and potential stars of the future.

The boys got off to a flying start this year. In October, they travelled to Galway for the first game day of the 2010-2011 Irish Lacrosse League season as defending champions. The team’s first competitive game of the year saw UCD comfortably dismiss the home side, NUI Galway and a number of new players were “blooded” in the contest. UCD’s second match of the day would prove to be their toughest to date as they were held to a five-a-piece draw with the heavily favoured Dublin Bay Prawns.

In November, UCD Lacrosse travelled to Cork for the second game day of the season. UCD Captain Aidan Marshall (D) led the boys to their first shut out of the season, as a combined Trinity College Dublin/Queens University Belfast could not match one of UCD’s seven goals. Earlier in the day, UCD were able to power by Dublin Lacrosse for a much coveted 7-5 victory, thanks to a strong presence in midfield by Andy Sloane and Chris O’Reilly.

The team was really beginning to gel as a unit just in time for the third game day, in February. In a much anticipated re-match against the Dublin Bay Prawns, UCD were able to hold on to a 6-5 victory against a side boasting a number of Irish international players. Cillian Murphy led the offensive charge, partnering with fellow UCD attackman Dexter Blanc to seal victory.

March’s game day in Belfast brought the UCD Men one step closer to retaining the championship. With the notable absence of American exchange student David Goscinak, the UCD men were still able to hang on to their second shutout of the season, writing off NUI Galway 8-0. Conor O’Brien, in his first year between the sticks, produced a fine performance that will certainly seal his place as goalie of the year ahead of Dublin Bay Prawns keeper Kevin Quinn.

UCD are looking forward to hosting the final gameday of the year on 02 April at the GAA pitches near Roebuck Castle. A victory over Dublin Lacrosse would ensure UCD’s second championship on the trot and UCD Captain Aidan Marshall is cautiously optimistic. Marshall is in his final year at UCD and says, “this is the finest team I’ve played with. If we are ever going to do it, it’s going to be this year.”

It’s not just about the league, though. UCD will compete in tournaments in Amsterdam and Durham before the season is out. On top of that, the boys will be looking for their third consecutive trophy at the annual Dublinfest Lacrosse Tournament held in North County Dublin. Veteran defender Keith Kane has been a part of the last two championship teams and can’t wait to try for the “threepeat”. “Having been involved with the winning sides of the past, I’m really looking forward to this tournament. It’s great competing against and beating teams from all over Europe.”

Many of the UCD players are using these tournaments as well as others this spring in the Czech Republic, Germany, Holland and Britain as practice for Irish National Team trials later this year. UCD Coach Sean Bodie thinks a number of his players will be representing Ireland at the European Championships 2012 in Prague, “We certainly have a number of players that will be considered for roster places. We have a pedigree of sorts. UCD have always had representatives on the National Team since UCD Lacrosse was founded in 2006 and we’re known for producing fundamentally sound, intelligent players and we hope to continue that trend.” Bodie cited a number of former UCD players that will be representing Ireland this summer at the World Indoor Lacrosse championships.

So with what looks to be shaping up as another successful year for UCD Men’s Lacrosse, what’s next? Bodie sees the future for the men’s side as bright, “Well, if we can manage to win the league we will be honoured to participate in the European Club Championships over the summer – but that is yet to be decided. On a more personal level, I would be delighted to see a number of our guys make the National Team and we’re all working really hard to ensure they’re prepared come trials in October.”

UCD Men’s Lacrosse play on Saturday 02 April at the GAA fields at Roebuck Castle – come support your team!

Keith Kane