A slightly damp chill hovered over the pitch as the Milwaukee Hurling Club’s Traveling Teams took the field. With the North American County Boards (NACB’s), also known as the national championship, a mere week away, it was time they smoothed some edges and worked together as a unit, rather than just running drills. The exhibition match they played Championship morning gave them just that opportunity.
Numbers depleted due to some of the Traveling Team squad playing later in the MHC Championship, others stepped in to fill the space. Aislinn Leonard, Eric Lemmer, Matt Mangan and others helped our champions hone their skills one last time.
The skill shown during the match was, simply put, incredible. Technically masterful execution of pick-ups, swings, catches and passes were the mainstay of the day.
A fierce midfield battle between Brian Murphy and Dan McAuliffe continued for an impossible full 60 minutes, only stopping briefly as one or the other transitioned play from one end of the field to another. Speed, agility and precision displayed like the Mona Lisa in the Louvre.
Brian Marsolek was instrumental in his teams’ success. Finding open space, moving quickly towards the ball and challenging every play, his side was rewarded with one of his many points.
On the other end of the field, Aislinn “The Beast” Leonard scored her first ever goal, an oddity for the spritely “Iron Woman” of hurling as she usually can be found harassing half-forwards and midfielders daring enough to wander into her territory. As the match continued, some players began to slow, showing signs of fatigue. Not so for Leonard whose conditioning clearly holds her in good stead. She looks to be a cornerstone for the MHC Camogie team also heading to the NACBs.
Travel Team Preps for Boston
by Jack Harrold