Sunset and our final entry.

The sun is setting on our trip and we are reflecting on a wonderful 10 days in Ireland.
Our last day began by letting the team sleep in to prepare for our last match.  We paused our "go go go" pace and hit the snooze button.  They were soooo happy.

Our last match was back in Dublin, where this great adventure began, against the Ladies from UCD (University City Dublin).  This team rosters a few players with youth national team experience and the squad plays in the Irish Women's National League.  A very similar squad to the Wexford team that we played earlier.

The facility was gorgeous.  This pitch had hosted a UEFA qualifying match last week and was in "tip top" shape.

After a good pre-game warmup, the JCWS Ladies played their best match of the trip.  Our energy level was high and our soccer brains were turned on.  We did a lot of defending but it made sense and was done at a high level.  A great way to close out our soccer experience in Ireland.  We enjoyed a great meal with our opponent after the match and then headed back to the hotel to pack.

I have two main goals in mind when I plan these trips.  I want the team to play high level, quality soccer and I want them to catch the "travel bug."  I want them to say "Ill be back" or "I can't wait to go and visit another country."  We are part of a big world.  We just made it a little more familiar.  Job well done!  Thanks for following.

All best.

Back on the web, for now!

My apologies for no blog story on Monday.   After arriving back in County Cork from London on Sunday, we headed west for the coast and the internet and wifi are not as easily accessible as they are in the east.

Sunday night, after a day exploring Killarney, we enjoyed a wonderful night at Bunratty Castle for a night of traditional Irish food and Irish song and dance.  Traditional Irish stew (lamb) and plenty of potatoes and wonderfully talented Irish dancers made for a terrific evening.

What we are lacking in bandwidth, however, we are making up in sheer beauty.
Yesterday (Monday), we travelled to the coastal area of Galway Bay and the famous Cliffs of Moher. Galway Bay is quickly becoming the "California coast" of Ireland.  Surfing has taken off and there are surf shops everywhere you look.  Somehow, surfing when it's 50 degrees out doesn't jive with this former Californian!  The waves and wind were big and the bold were out on their boards. Two of our own couldn't resist the pull of the ocean and waded in to "catch some Irish surf."

Right up the road from the Galway Bay Area are the Cliffs of Moher.  Oh my goodness, what a beautiful place.  Dangerous but amazingly beautiful.  We all climbed and climbed and filled our SD cards with pictures of natures beauty.

Monday night had your Eagles competing in our second match.  The opponent tonight was the Limerick Ladies and your Eagles fell 0-1.  Too much climbing on top of a couple of mornings that began at 4:00 ish zapped us of energy.

Today (Tuesday), we slept in for the first time and started our trip back to Dublin for our final match and the final night of the trip.  Our final match was against the women's team from UCD (University City Dublin).  A top notch team from the Irish National Women's League, their facilities  and players looked like a mid size Division I program from home.

Our ladies saved their best performance for last as they played the UCD ladies close but fell in the end.  By far, the best soccer of the trip.  Communication and ball movement was much improved and our team defensive performance was mid-season level.  A good sign as we begin preseason in just two weeks.

We are off to the airport in the morning and heading home.  We will miss our Irish friends and we will cherish our time here in beautiful Ireland.  Until next time, Slainte! (That is Gaelic for Good fortunes)
All best.

London in a day

How 'bout the task of covering one of the worlds most historic and beautiful cities in one day?

London.  Check!

We rose early and hopped a Ryan Air flight from Cork to London and "got right to it!"  After landing, we enjoyed a great English breakfast right 'neath the shadow of Windsor Castle.  A pretty amazing weekend get-a-way if you ask me!

After touring Windsor, we departed for an afternoon Darby between Fulham and Crystal Palace.  It's the last preseason tune up for both sides and they played entertaining football to a 1-1 draw.

After dinner in the Marleybone section of London, it was off to see Buckingham Palace.  It was truly amazing as was Big Ben and Parliment.

Today, we caught an early morning flight back to Cork and are now off to Kilarney.

More later.
All best.