The first National Slowpitch Team trials were held in Firhouse Community College on February 25, 2019 as Ireland’s preparations for the European Championships in Hungary July ramp up.
Given the trials clashed with the Six Nations game, there was an excellent turn out on the day. Details of the second trial will be circulated in due course.
Following on from the successful softball skills day in September and the wonderful Dublin Indoor Softball Tournament in early November, we are delighted to confirm that the Irish National Women’s coaching team are joining up with Julie and the indoor softball organisers to host a softball skills morning followed by a game or two on Sunday December 2, 2018 at 12:30.
When: Sunday December 2, 2018
Time: 1230 – 2:30pm
Where: Firhouse Community College, Firhouse Road, Dublin 24
We look forward to you joining us on what should be a fun couple of hours.
Ireland participated in its first Junior (U19) World Championships in July 2017 in Clearwater Florida. 14 previously uncapped Players represented Ireland in the historic tournament recording 3 wins and finishing a respectable 18th out of 26 entries.
Unfortunately, Ireland’s preparations for the tournament were severely hampered by mother nature, with Ireland only able to have one outdoor session and one exhibition in advance of the tournament.
Ireland’s group for the tournament was affectionately known as the group of death as Ireland drew Canada, China, Mexico, Great Britain and Korea.
After a slow start as the team got to know each other, Ireland beat Korea in the last round of group games and this was the start of a streak as Ireland followed up with wins over Israel and Peru to set-up a re-match with Korea for 17/18 placing, ultimately losing but not before making an un-heard of jump of the rankings. Ireland’s finish at the tournament does not do the team justice as the other teams in the group finished at the top end of the tournament.
Next up for the Jnr Women’s team will be the 2018 European Championships which Ireland will enter with the confidence of having the majority of the roster still eligible from 2017.
Answers from Senan Dormer our Co-Ed Head Coach.
Tell us a little about yourself?
I play with oddsox green in the Prem league. I am a Garda stationed in Limerick.
Have you coached an international squad before and have you toured?
I have never coached at a international tournament. But have been involved with Originals and chromies in club euros and played for Ireland at the last European championships.
How has the preparation gone for this tournament?
Preparation for the team has gone well. Lots of training and team bonding sessions.
Are their any surprise names included in the squad?
No major surprises in the squad. All players play in the Prem division.
Who are your biggest opponents?
Our biggest opponents have to be GB who are going for a tenth title in a row.
What is your aim for this tournament?
Our aim for the finals is to come home with the Gold.
Who are the names to watch out for?
Names to watch out for are Ciara O’Gorman and Matt Steer man who are playing in their first Europeans.
Support your National Squads on Friday May 29th in the Woolshed Baa & Grill
[title size=”1″]Softball Ireland New Kit Partner[/title]
Softball Ireland are delighted to announce the appointment of Macron Sportswear as their kit partner and official leisure clothing supplier. As part of the arrangement all official Softball Ireland apparel and National Team Uniforms will be produced by Macron Sportswear Dublin.
Speaking of the new partnership, Softball Ireland President Colum Lavery said – “Softball Ireland are delighted to announce Macron Sportswear as our new partner. Macron Sportswear has a long and successful history in producing the highest of quality in playing, leisure clothing and equipment.” He added “Macrons partnership with Softball Ireland highlights the development of the Game in Ireland and the partnership is a vote of support in our programmes.”
Speaking at the announcements Macron Sportswear Dublin Sales Director John Fallon said “Macron Sportswear Dublin are delighted to be announced as kit partner to Softball Ireland. We look forward to having the opportunity to showcase our extensive, quality range of Softball equipment and accessories. We are confident this partnership with be mutually beneficial and of benefit to the clubs.”
[title size=”1″]About Macron Sportswear Dublin[/title]
Macron produces for sports and shares the passion, joy and commitment of the athletes, aware of the fundamental importance of their apparel and accessories.
Macron Sportswear Dublin is based in Santry Dublin and has a wide range of Team Kit, Softball Equipment and accessories available. More details on products can be found at www.macronstore.ie/ or call 01- 862 5044 and ask for Anthony.
Macron produce the following Softball Specific Equipment
Saturday August 9, 2014 will see the first introduction to Fast Pitch Softball Session. Coach Cunningham intends the session to be fun and cover the basic differences between Slow Pitch and Fast Pitch Softball. Coach Cunningham has extended an invitation to all Female Softball Ireland Players to join the session from 1100 am on the 9th. An all male session will be ran later in the Autumn.
It is also with great pleasure that Softball Ireland can confirm that it has accepted Baseball Irelands kind offer to use the small field at Corkagh Park. Softball Ireland has also extended an invitation to Little League Girls who may be interested in joining the session to learn about a different variation of the sport.
Speaking on Baseball Irelands offer. SI President Colum Lavery said “we are overwhelmed by the generosity of Baseball Ireland in making their field available to us” he added ” this is another small step towards working with Baseball Ireland on joint projects and provides Softball Ireland players an opportunity to learn Fast Pitch on an excellent surface. We look forward to welcoming Baseball Ireland Board Members and Little League Players to our introduction day”
Players planning to attend are requested to email president@softball.ie in advance
About Corkagh Park
Irish-American Peter O’Malley, former owner and President of the Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball organisation, first met with the Irish Baseball & Softball Association in 1994. Havingalready developed baseball fields in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and China, O’Malley pledged $140,000 to the building of an Irish Baseball facility.
Building on the site began in June of 1997 and both fields were officially opened for play on July 4th, 1998. The facility incorporates a regulation sized adult field and an international standard Little League field. The fields are located in Corkagh Demesne Park in Clondalkin, West Dublin.
The fields are the centrepiece of Baseball activity in Ireland and play host to regular season league games for adult and youth teams as well as international fixtures.
How to get there
Take the N7 (Naas Road) West. Make a right turn at Newlands Cross Intersection – there is a Bewley’s Hotel on the right hand side. Go through two intersections with traffic lights
and make the first left hand turn AFTER a pedestrian crosswalk that has a small set of lights. Follow that road (St Johns Road) To the right and it will lead you straight to the entrance of Corkagh Demesne Park.
Follow
the signs to the car park. After parking, to the right of the car park, there is a MAP of the park and where the baseball diamonds are located. Follow the footpath into the park. When you come to a fork in the road, go to the right. Walk for about 5 minutes and the fields will be located to the right past a row of trees. If all else fails, ask someone in the park and they will undoubtedly know where the baseball fields are.
Team Ireland fought their way back from a slow start on Saturday to finish strong and take sixth place and Plate Runner-Up at the Diamond 3 Softball Tournament held in Slough, England on July 26/27.
Showing a number of changes from the 2013 World Series squad, the team took on the best the UK had to offer over two very warm days at an outstanding facility. Ireland finished Day 1 of the tournament on a 1&4 record but had been competitive in the four losses. As ever Ireland’s defence was strong but the bats appeared to have been left in the hotel as Ireland left a number of runners on bases. This all changed in the last game of the day v Manchester Thunder as Ireland jumped out to an 8 run lead in the first and held this lead to the end to record an 8-5 victory.
Sunday monring saw Ireland with their final two group games. After dominating the Manchester Maniacs for the majority of the Game, Ireland found themselves chasing 4 runs at the bottom of the last. A two out single from debutant Marian Neill followed by a 2 RBI Home Run from Senan Dormer gave Ireland the tie which put them fourth in the Group final standings. Ireland lost the last Game of the group stage against NSL Runners Up Pionnerrs after a spirited bottom of last fight back saw Ireland score 6 but come up one short.
At the end of the Group Stage Ireland finished on a 1-1-5 record which was good enough for fourth in the Group and a Plate semi-final spot against Manchester Maniacs who finished third in the other Group. The Plate semi final went to plan as Ireland took and early lead and built on it to win comfortably 10-5 and book a place in the final v Slammers. The final proved to be one game too far for Ireland as the experienced Slammers team jumped out to an early lead that was too much for Ireland and eventually Slammers went on to win the final 21-6.
A top 6 performance is Ireland’s best result at a Diamond series in a number of years. Speaking after the tournament Ireland Head Coach Pat Reddy congratulated the Players on their performance and commented on how valuable the experience gained would stand to the Players in the future.
Final Results
Ireland 3 v Warriors 7
Ireland 1 v Blue Steel 9
Ireland 3 v H2O 11
Ireland 1 v Slammers 11
Ireland 8 v Manchester Thunder 5
Ireland 9 v Maniacs 9
Ireland 12 v Pioneers 13
Plate Semi Final
Ireland 10 v Maniacs 5
Plate Final
Ireland 5 v Slammers 21
The build up to Euro 2015 begins with a Team Ireland Selection coached by Pat Reddy travelling to Diamond 3 in Slough, England this weekend.
The tournament forms an important part of Ireland’s preparations with a second selection of players travelling to the World Series in early September.
The squad is a mix of youth and experience with 7 of the 2013 European Championship squad included and will play some of the best teams in the UK in what promises to be a challenging weekend.
The tournament is also a special moment for Jan Carroll and Marian Neill as they represent Ireland for the first time.
Updates will be posted on the Softball Ireland Twitter Feed @softballireland throughout the weekend. I hope you will join us in wishing the Irish Squad all the best.
We would also like to extend our best wishes to Bernie who had to withdraw due to injury.
Squad
Olwen Barrett (Oddsox)
Cliodhna Sharpe (Dodder)
Sarah Jane Walsh (Oddsox)
Ruth Davey (Marlay)
Jan Carroll (Thunderbolts)
Marian Neill (Sliders)
Colum Lavery (Oddsox)
Conor Sayles (Marlay)
Senan Dormer (Oddsox)
Andy Molloy (Marlay)
Marc O’Fathaigh (Marlay)
Jon O’Flynn (BatPak)