Ryan Bailey reports from Havelock Park, Banbridge
IT GOES WITHOUT saying that David Hawkshaw, the Ireland U20 Grand Slam-winning captain, would have preferred to be in the sunnier climes of Santa Fe on Saturday afternoon, but as far as alternatives go, watching his sister make her tournament debut for Ireland wasn’t bad.
Having had to bide her time to break into the senior women’s hockey team, Sarah Hawkshaw made the most of her opportunity on Saturday, producing an excellent performance in Ireland’s 2-1 victory over Malaysia in their FIH Final Series opener.
The 23-year-old, winning her ninth international cap but first in a ranking tournament, was one of two new faces in the squad from last year’s magical run to the World Cup final, the other being Bethany Barr whose third-minute goal set Ireland on their way.
Among the 2,000-capacity crowd at Havelock Park were Hawkshaw’s friends and family, including younger brother David, who would have been keeping a close eye on proceedings in Argentina where his team-mates were in U20 World Championship action against Australia.
The Leinster academy centre suffered a serious knee injury during the Six Nations but, on crutches on Saturday, was able to watch his older sister help the World Cup silver medallists take the first step on the road to Tokyo 2020.
“There’s healthy competition in the family anyway,” she laughed afterwards. “It was nice to have family here, the crowd were amazing. I’ve never experienced anything like that before.”
A multi-talented athlete who played Gaelic football for Dublin at underage level and enjoyed a successful athletics career during her time in Mount Sackville, Hawkshaw recently returned from America where she spent four years studying in the University of Massachusetts.
While there, the Dubliner, on a sports scholarship, starred for UMass and was a four-time Atlantic 10 All-Conference selection and won two National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-America awards.
With a decorated collegiate career behind her, Hawkshaw has since returned to play in the EY Hockey League for Railway Union, putting her back in national team contention, initially under former coach Graham Shaw.
Her international debut came against Chile back in February and although competition for places was incredibly high, she had done enough to earn a place in Gareth Grundie’s final 18-player panel for this tournament at the expense of World Cup silver medallist Nikki Evans.
“There is a little bit more pressure coming in I suppose, they did so well at the World Cup,” Hawkshaw continues. “I’m absolutely honoured just to be involved and I’ve learned so much and been in camp with them for a while. Training has gone really well and at this stage now you just feel settled.”
That said, the forward admits there were plenty of pre-match nerves.
“Yeah, there definitely were but once you get the first touch of the ball, you settle. And it’s always the case in any game, you’re kind of tense until you get that. You can press all you like but until you get that first touch, that’s when you calm down and get into it.
“I’ve taken huge confidence from getting into the squad for this tournament.”
Hawkshaw settled into the game from the off and a couple of early involvements, including an industrious run down this near side, provided a glimpse of why she had earned her place in the team.
An athletic and skilful attacker, Hawkshaw brings different qualities to Ireland’s forward line and linked well with Deirdre Duke, Anna O’Flanagan and captain Katie Mullan throughout, the latter scoring Ireland’s second goal.
Hawkshaw’s past career in athletics, representing both her school and Clonliffe Harriers, has no doubt helped her develop as a hockey player with interim coach Grundie referencing her athleticism and tireless work-rate as a key strength.
“I was running quite competitively and playing football for Dublin in school but was actually getting injured as I was trying to do both,” she explains.
My running coach told me that I probably had more chance in hockey than running. He was honest with me so I respected that and kind of leaned more towards hockey from there and went to the States after the Leaving Cert.
Although she progressed through the age grades in a green jersey, Hawkshaw’s time in America meant she had to wait longer for her opportunity than most, but strong performances during winter trips to Spain and Chile made it impossible for management to ignore her worth in the team.
Now, like every single one of the squad, she has eyes on Tokyo.
“It’s all we’re thinking of but this is day one of it,” Hawkshaw adds. “We’ve ticked one match off and that’s how we’re looking at it.
“It’s everyone’s dream, and to be this close, we don’t want to let it slip.”
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Some serious young talent coming through at Munster, first time you can say that in about 20 years.
@Hud Hastings: Hoping to see Gleeson get a start soon. 6’4 and 116kg at just 19 is scary. Huge potential for the young lad. Can see Coombes moving to 6 in a season or two
@Frank Grimes: hour big is Quinn? You’d imagine he’d be the other starter with those two in a few years, with Hodnet, Kendelan in the mix too. Crazy exciting again
@Ciaran Kennedy: both Hodnett and Kendellan are smart operators but I just feel they’re too small for top level.
Tony butler also an underage hurler for Clare. Won a Harty with St.flannans at wing back in 2020
@Dec: he’s a savage loss to Clare hurling. Ditto O’Connor for Cork.
Munster getting a look at their second row future when one or both of their WC winners go at the end of the season. Both will be in demand at the end of their contracts. Can’t see the IRFU letting the two stay especially when talents like ahern and Edogbo are coming through. Will be interesting to see how this one plays out.
@Kevin: don’t see why not. Most sides play 3 secondrows every game so the 2 youngsters will get plenty of game time and learn from one of the best. As a leinster fan I hope both are allowed to stay.
@chris mcdonnell: no problem with them staying either. It’s an attritional position so the two Irish lads will see plenty of time. Just wonder will nucifora/humphries see it the same way. On a human level Kleyn has put down real roots marrying a Galway girl. It would be hugely unfair to not renew his deal.
@Kevin: There’s also Beirne of course. I imagine Kleyn will stay, but the last season for RG. (Well, unless there’s some combination of big money coming in to keep RG and one of the young lads being loaned out to get playing experience elsewhere)
@Kevin: well said regarding Kleyn. I think he has more than earned that from the IRFU from his commitment to rugby in Ireland. He has given his best years here.
@Kevin: hasn’t he a brother that’s a back?
Like this team, hope they can deliver. Great to finally see Quinn come through again, v lively player with huge potential. For all the talk of Frische he’s not even in match day squad. Really hope he’s not injured or some such. Coughlan has been decent but really interested to see Casey and Patterson battle it out this season.
Really exciting bench. Archer aside, those players are could be the future of munster rugby for years to come. Coupled with some youth in the starting line up and all of a sudden the pipeline looks in pretty good health.
As a leinster fan I am getting a bit worried about the backrow talent coming through at Munster. If you throw in Ahern and Crowley, they have an exciting looking team which can only be good for Ireland going forward
Jeez.. Every time Carberry gets in a good groove he breaks again. Aaaagh
Looks like Coombes will become a second row when Gleeson gets the 8 spot. I believe he could flourish there.
@Tom Reilly: are a 6 they have like 8 second row’s
@Sèan: 6 could be a good option when POM retires.
@Tom Reilly: Gonna be a big year for Coombs. Doris didn’t light up the wc like I had thought he would so the door may still be open for him, but he needs to find the form that saw him the top try scorer a few seasons back. Haven’t even considered Okoke who’s been invisible since his one decent showing last season too.
@Tom Reilly: the SA number 8 is 38 i think lets give pete 4 more years
@Thesaltyurchin: I think he got injured but may now have missed his window opportunity with the likes of Gleeson & Quinn coming through.
@Thesaltyurchin: invisible as in injured for most of last season?
@Pierce O’Hehir: Whatever you like really.