After the Ireland under-21s' frustration in being pushed down to 14th place in the Junior World Cup in Hobart, Tasmania, it was a marvellous consolation that the captain, David Eakins, was voted player of the tournament by the international jury.
"I was completely shocked," said Eakins on his return to Cork earlier this week, hardly seeming to realise he had been named as the best young player in the world.
Eakins, 21, finished with 38 points, six clear of his nearest rival, Eduard Tubau of Spain. Whereas he normally operates as a striker for Cork Harlequins, coach George Blackwood switched him to an attacking right-back role for the assignment in Hobart.
Eakins was especially inspiring in the opening 1-1 draw with Australia and in the second game against England.
"We made a great start and had a good attitude," said the captain, but the main frustration for drag-flicker Eakins and his team-mates was that Ireland could not make the most of penalty corners and other scoring opportunities. So, instead most of the plaudits went to defenders, of whom Eakins and Karl Burns, in particular, excelled.
"To progress on to the senior team would be nice", Eakins admitted when pressed about his ambitions, which also include Harlequins winning the Irish Senior Cup.
He will be taking a slight breather this weekend but will be available for selection on the Munster squad for the first interprovincial of the season against Ulster in Dublin on November 3rd.
Several of his under-21 team-mates may be back in action tomorrow, notably Allan Kershaw and Alan Giles for Pembroke Wanderers and Joe Brennan for Glenanne in the first league meeting of the season between Leinster's top sides at Serpentine Avenue.
Glenanne looked steadier than Pembroke in their tune-ups against UCD and Aer Lingus, respectively, last Saturday, but one would need to take due notice of Aer Lingus as an emerging force.
The All-Ireland Schools Championship takes place in Dublin next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, at Grange Road, St Columba's and Ballinteer
