The year of reaffirmation of the 5th A of Hurling ladies

Having your first team relegated is not easy, and the biggest challenge of the year after losing the category is to show who you are as a team and show that you deserve more. The 5th division of Hurling A ladies had to face that situation in 2024. The references, Brisa Sanchez and Clara Geogheganand the coach, Francisco Abbondatispoke with AM850.com about their year in the Metropolitan C Tournament.

Francisco Abbondati, 21 years old, was as an assistant during 2023, the year in which the 5th A finished first in both tournaments, since last year the competition was different, and they had to play the B/C Relocation. Although their first team lost the category, and so did the entire strip, this human group ended up champion, closing with joy within sadness. “Although we were relegated, we knew that this year we had to continue making that difference, and the girls were always very intelligent and mature in their game, for their age,” commented Francisco, who also added that they presented him with the challenge of continuing to train them and he is very happy with the results. Thanks to the group’s mentality, the coach’s job was to guide them along the path they were already on, elaborating on some issues, and learning from each other. “My role was to perfect a team that had already had some good years, and to continue trusting them”he remarked.

The way they finished was the finishing touch, since they managed to achieve their main objective earlier: becoming champions. That’s when they decided to go for more, and try to finish the tournament undefeated, another goal achieved. “I have nothing left to ask of you. It was a very nice year and a very easy group to coach, in the sense that they always put the energy in, at no time did I have to demand that they be encouraged, make mistakes and learn, but instead “They did it alone,” Abbondati said.

On Brisa’s side, she had the opportunity to be captain in both the sixth and fifth classes, and what stands out most is the growth of the group. For her, what they achieved meant constant learning. “It’s incredible to share with a team like this and by that I mean having clear goals from the beginning,” he added. For her, having Fran As a coach he was more than positive and emphasized everything he brought to them: “Her ability to generate confidence in each player and her constant positive support. It is not easy to take a fifth player and we value and appreciate the effort, will and commitment she had with us.”

Clara was vice-captain in both 2023 and 2024, and it meant a lot to her. “I think that having been able to be a reference for both teams fills me with pride and makes having won two championships a little more special.” The two years were a party, and in the B/C Relocation tournament they managed to become champions three dates before, at the Hurling Club. Nothing more beautiful than experiencing it locally, in your lifelong club, with your people supporting you. The girls were very focused from the beginning of the preseason. Each one knew what role they occupied and focused on that, making the team’s functioning more fluid. Clara knew that her role was to keep their heads held high, and to keep her colleagues on track, she had to be on the same page.

“During the year I always tried to make it clear to them that we didn’t have to go out and prove anything to anyone, but that we went out to play for ourselves. I think that made us a very strong team.”. Camaraderie and sacrifice led this team to be two-time champions, having blind trust in whoever was next to them. Personally, for Clara it was a year of many changes and new things: “It was a roller coaster of emotions and having a team that supports you in all of them was very motivating.” He also highlighted that not only are they division partners, but that the group became a family, and “They made difficult things easy. That’s what I like most about this team”he finished.