A wonderful homecoming for Lena!
LENA TICE is still deservedly floating on cloud nine following Ireland’s second place at the Hockey World Cup in London.
The Glenealy woman proved an immovable object at the heart of the defence as the Green Army caused upset after upset to march all the way to the final where they were overpowered by an outstanding Netherlands side.
20-year-old Tice has been on a whirlwind since returning from England with a silver medal in her pocket and only now - almost two weeks later - is the reality of what she achieved beginning to dawn on her.
“It was absolutely incredible. It was surreal I think; even now it’s the first time I’ve really been home and been able to sit down and really think about what we did and what happened and the response we got. It’s just surreal. When we’re in tournaments, we’re so focused it’s unbelievable and we really didn’t know what was going on back home or how much hype there was because we were just so focused and so prepared on the job in hand. That’s why we were successful - we fixed our eyes on the games and that was it.”
The fairytale story did not have a fairytale ending. Netherlands truly showed their class as they ran out 6-0 winners and although slightly disheartened by the scoreline, Tice hasn’t let it ruin her overall experience and she also took pride in her own performances throughout the tournament.
“We were really disappointed by the final. It’s crazy how things work out but the Dutch are an unbelievable side and to be honest nobody is going to get near them (for the foreseeable future). They’re streets above everyone else. I think they went up a gear as well in the final - they were just absolutely unbelievable. There were a few soft goals we would have stopped on another day had we had more legs on us (Ireland played two gruelling matches prior to the final) but it was just an incredible experience to play in a World Cup final. It’s something that everyone dreams of and you have to just get out and try and enjoy it.
“I think defensively I was solid. I played as kind of a deep centre-back and I had to do my job and often I had to quietly do it and make sure that they didn’t get into our circle. I think I was happy. Overall I was happy with my performance. I tried to do my job and I think I achieved that.”
There is very little rest for the wicked. Tice will leave Ireland for Australia tomorrow (Thursday) where she has allowed herself three weeks off before jetting down to New Zealand to play in a one-month league called the New Zealand Hockey League with a team from Auckland. When she arrives in Auckland, her arrival may not be greeted with the same fanfare that she has received in recent weeks.
“It’s like we’re living in dreamland. We’re kind of just riding the wave for as long as we can before the reality kicks back in and we have to get on with our normal lives. The reception on Dame Street was just incredible. I couldn’t have dreamed it - 10,000 something people there and people hanging out of windows and since then I’ve been getting stopped in the street if I’ve been wearing my Ireland gear and asked for photos. We went to the horse show yesterday (Sunday) and they brought us onto the arena before the jump-off and we had a standing ovation for a number of minutes - it was just incredible. It feels like life is a little bit different! I’m not sure how long that will last but hopefully the hockey buzz continues for another while.
“I had a wonderful homecoming in Glenealy. It was just so special to come home and have that kind of support. So many people came out and I couldn’t believe it; I really thought it’d just be my granny and her dogs. Next thing you know the whole village is out so it’s just wonderful to have that kind of support. It’s so cool. It’s a dream come true.”
Another massively pleasing outcome of the Green Army’s wild success is the announcement on Monday that an extra €500,000 funding has been allocated to Irish hockey. Tice is delighted with the news but knows that for real progress, the funding can’t be a once-off.
“We were absolutely delighted to get some extra funding. We’ve been thriving for this for a long time. We still need more - you always need more - there’s a lot of holes still and the main thing we need is a stadium and we need a home.
“As a player, I’m really hoping that it comes to the forefront and it happens for us so that we can maybe host tournaments. Yes, it’s wonderful to get the support and the funding and I’m absolutely delighted and I hope it’s put to the best use possible.”
All the funding in the world though probably couldn’t recreate the magic that was the 2018 World Cup. It stole the nation’s heart and gave Tice memories to cherish forever.
“I think even if we never did it again - which I hope we do - but it would probably never be the same again because we’ll never be quite as much as an underdog as we were going into this tournament and I think that’s probably what made it so special. I’ll never forget it. It’ll live with me forever and I’ll be telling my grandchildren about it”.