Pat Smyth 81 Defender
First, we have defender Pat Smyth who explains
to us “My father’s side of the family hail from Virginia in Co. Cavan”. Pat who
grew up in Philadelphia details how lacrosse is a huge sport in the area and
how he has played it from a young age. Pat has only recently graduated from
college where he played lacrosse to a high level. “I played lacrosse at St.
John's University in Queens for five years. I graduated in 2021.”
He then goes on to describe how he got
onto the involvement in the Irish men’s set up. “I think I saw something or
during the 2014 World Championships I saw Ireland play being a dual citizen. I
said I would try out and attempt to make the team. Smyth went to his first
Irish trail for the World championships in 2018 and hasn't looked back since
Smyth reminisces about getting his first call
up in 2018 and how he felt “It’s just an immense amount of pride and joy. It's
such a great honor to be able to represent the great country of Ireland and play
for my heritage and represent the country where my grandparents came from.
Finally, Smyth tells us how he wants to keep
representing Ireland. I want to wear the green Jersey for as long as I can. I
hope to make a few more World Championships and European Games.” If the Olympic
committee allows Lacrosse into the Olympics, we could see Smyth represent
Ireland and Cavan on the Olympic stage in 2028.
Brady Morin Defender no. 39
The second member of the Irish Lacrosse team
we hear from with a Cavan connection was yet another defender in Brady Morin
whose mom hails from Laragh in Co. Cavan. “My mom is from Cavan in Ireland. So,
we've always been raised in a very Irish household, and she can be very close
to the culture there.”
Brady, who is now a junior in college,
explains how he started playing lacrosse at a young age in New Jersey and how
he is now still playing at a high level in the USA. “I go to RIT who play
division 3 lacrosse and I have two more years playing there before I graduate.”
Morin, who represented the Irish U21 side last
year at the World Championships in Limerick, details how he first got involved
in the Irish set up at youth level. “. So, I saw them on TV when I they were in
Prague. And I thought that was such a cool thing. And I really wanted to be a
part of it. My mom and I looked into how we could and saw the U19 team at the
time. So, I went out, so I went to Philly, tried out for the team. And then
they said I was really good, and they allowed me to come to Ireland for the
official tryout and I made the team for the Championships
Brady describes brilliantly how he felt when
he made that original side along with the senior side in San Diego. “I was
absolutely ecstatic. I was just so excited and honored to be a part of this.
And it was very exciting coming out to Limerick and now I am part of the senior
side in San Diego I couldn't be happier. It was something I never thought would
happen when I started playing the sport in New Jersey.” He goes on to detail
how he felt after he got the call regarding the senior team and his first World
Championships. “It was always a dream, but I didn't really think much of it
when I found that I wasn't officially part of the team but when I got that call
from the Irish coach, I was so excited and I was like yes it definitely is I I
have to do this no matter what.”
After appearing in his first senior tournament
at such a young age for Ireland it is clear that this young defender has plenty
more left in the tank whether it's at European, World Championships or even
Olympics if Lacrosse gets the go ahead to be a sport in 2028.
This is hopefully not the last time you will
hear from the Cavan star.
No comments:
Post a Comment