Inside the World Cup with Róisín Upton

A World Cup brings big matches, packed stands, quick turnarounds and very little time to

catch your breath. Before Ireland’s final game of the tournament, we caught up with Team UP Founder Róisín Upton to hear about life inside the Irish camp, holding her nerve from the penalty spot and the things supporters don’t always see from home.

Róisín, if you had to sum up this World Cup in three words, what would they be? Proud, intense and emotional.

A World Cup always brings huge highs and lows. We’ve had moments we’re incredibly proud of and results that have been difficult to take, but the effort, fight and togetherness within the group have never changed.

You have played at an Olympic Games and were part of Ireland’s incredible 2018 World Cup run. Does representing Ireland at a World Cup ever start to feel normal? Never. You might become more familiar with the preparation and everything surrounding amajor tournament, but pulling on an Ireland jersey at a World Cup will always be special.

You are representing your family, your teammates and everyone at home who has helped you along the way from your old school coaches, the various clubs I have played for all theway to to my current employers. That is something you never take for granted.

Let’s go back to the New Zealand game. It’s 1-1 and you’re standing over a penalty stroke. What is going through your head?

Honestly, you try not to let too much go through your head! The decision was referred to video umpire to review so I like to keep close to the team & stay present until a final decision is made. You need to trust the work you’ve done, stick to your routine and commit to your decision, but have awareness of the GK too. There is pressure, of course, but those are also the moments you want to be involved in. Thankfully, this one found the back of the net.

You then delivered the ball that Katie Mullan touched home for Ireland’s third goal. Did you know it was a good one as soon as you struck it?

I knew the delivery had gone into a dangerous area, and when Katie is anywhere near thegoal, there is always a chance something will happen.

It was a brilliant team goal and a massive moment in the match. It gave us a little breathing space, although New Zealand made sure the final few moments were anything but relaxing!

How do you reset when matches are decided by such small margins?You have to allow yourself to feel the disappointment because it shows how much it matters. But tournament hockey moves quickly, so you cannot stay there for too long.

We review the game honestly, take what we need from it and then shift our attention to the next challenge. The ability to reset and go again is a huge part of competing at this level.

What is one part of World Cup life that supporters watching at home might not realise?How much happens between the matches. There are team meetings, video analysis, recovery sessions, treatment, gym work, meals and preparation for the next opposition. Everyone sees the 60 minutes on the pitch, but there is a huge amount of work behind those 60 minutes.

There is also a lot of time spent together, which means plenty of laughs on our team walks and plenty of cups of coffee!

Who is the unofficial Chief Morale Officer in the Irish camp?

There are definitely a few candidates. We have a brilliant entertainment crew who keep us busy and make sure there are plenty of laughs around camp. But during this World Cup, I would probably have to give it to Flora. She is our youngest and definitely our cutest - member of the touring party and has brought great energy to the group, with a special shoutout has to go to her legend of a mum, Lena, too. She is genuinely paving the way by showing that becoming a mum doesn’t have to mean stepping away from an international career. To return to this level, with Flora alongside her, is incredibly inspiring.

And who takes the longest to get ready for a match?

There are many avid tanners that get the party started the night before gameday!!

Are you a calm and quiet dressing-room person before a game, or do you need themusic turned all the way up?

I’m probably somewhere in the middle. I like the energy of the music and everyone getting ready together, but I also need a few quiet moments to focus on my own role and what I need to do when the match begins so you could find me in charge of the music and singing along, but you could also find me in a corner reading my book!

Be honest: Are you a good World Cup roommate?

I would say yes, although I’m not sure Katie would give you the same answer! We’re very close friends and have played together for years, so hopefully she’d agree. We’ve become hooked on a few different series over here, but I’m just as happy getting into bed with a good book so I’m not exactly keeping her awake all night!

What has been your favourite off-pitch moment of the tournament?

We've done some fun team building on this trip. From daily keepy-uppies to our team sports day or our darts competition!

We have loved seeing the Irish support in Wavre. How much of a difference does it make?

A massive difference. Running onto the pitch for our opening game v Spain on a Sunday night was incredible. The stadium was green. I had goosebumps. You can hear the Irish supporters throughout the game, and seeing the flags, green shirts and our UP bucket hats around the stadium gives everyone a real lift. We know people are travelling, changing plans and getting up at all hours to follow us and that support never goes unnoticed.

When a young player watches a World Cup match, what should they look for beyond the goals and big skills?

Watch what players do before they receive the ball and what they do immediately after losing it. At this level, scanning, communication, movement and decision-making are hugely important. Some of the best work in a match happens away from the ball and might not make the highlights.

Pick one player in your position and follow them for a few minutes. You’ll notice so much more about how they create space, support teammates and react when possession changes.

What should young players notice about how international players respond to mistakes?

Everyone makes mistakes, even at a World Cup, even by the top teams. The important part is the response. The best players don’t spend the next few minutes thinking about what went wrong. They recover, reconnect with their teammates and focus on the next action. You don’t need to play a perfect match. You need to keep showing up for the next moment.

What has made you most proud of this Irish team during the tournament?

The way the group has continued to fight for one another. There have been setbacks, but nobody has stopped working or believing. We have competed with some of the best teams in the world and shown that we can create chances and cause teams real problems.

The results haven’t always reflected the quality of the performances, but the attitude and togetherness of the player group have been incredibly strong.

What would you say to all the young hockey players following the team through the UP World Cup Hub?

Firstly, thank you. We really do feel the support from home. I have loved seeing so many entries to our competitions, seeing so many of you in our bucket hats and I really hope watching the World Cup shows you what is possible, but also reminds you that every international player started in the same place, learning the basics, making mistakes and trying to get a little better each week.

Enjoy your hockey, be a good teammate and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. And remember, becoming an international player isn’t the only way the game can take you somewhere special. People I played alongside have gone on to become coaches and officials, and hockey has opened incredible doors for them too. Keep an open mind you never know where the game, or your place within it, might take you.

There is still one more match to play. What do you want Ireland to bring into it?

Pride, energy and determination. We want to finish the tournament with a performance that reflects who we are as a team. Every opportunity to play for Ireland matters, and we will be giving everything to finish our World Cup campaign strongly.Róisín’s World Cup

Quick-Fire Round

Pre-match meal?

Overnight Oats here - made by team snack queen Caoimhe

Tea or coffee?

Depends on the day - Coffee galore on tour from our local spot Dish in Waterloo!

The song currently played most in the team room?

Step It Out by Fahri Mac and The High Kings has been getting plenty of airtime,

although our team DJ, Saz Mc, always keeps the playlist moving!

Best person to sit beside on a long bus journey?

Hannah Mc and her crosswords!

One thing that must always be in your kitbag?

Cow cream deep heat, if you know you know!

Favourite moment of the World Cup so far?

That final whistle against New Zealand and celebrating a World Cup win together.

First person you call after a match?

My parents for the debrief if they aren’t there!

The best piece of advice you have ever received?

Enjoy the experience and never take any game for granted. You never really know when it might be your last, so make the most of every opportunity, enjoy the people you share it with and remember why you started playing in the first place.

One Final Question: Are You Ready to Finish the World Cup on a High?

Always ready. There is still one more opportunity to represent Ireland on the world stage, and we intend to make it count.