January is always an interesting time to focus the mind for those with a sporting persuasion. The start of a New Year brings fresh possibilities and they are precisely what Dora Gorman is thinking about now. Sure 2010 was peppered with critical contests in World Cups, European Championships, and All Ireland minor finals, but when there is so much to look forward to the present matters a great deal.
The past six months have really been packed with quarter finals, semi finals, and finals for the talented Galway teenager, who captained the Republic of Ireland in the under-17 Women’s soccer team in the World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago.
A quarter final defeat to Japan did bring plenty of pain, but that is mending now, and ultimately Gorman was delighted to have captained Ireland in such a prestigious tournament. “It was great to be involved in the European Championships and the World Cup, it was a very enjoyable experience.
“A few years ago when we were under-15 the team started coming together regularly and when we were young we got a lot of experience which helped us a lot. It meant that we were together as a team for a long time and it probably gelled us as a group and that was one of the reasons that we achieved. We met up in Dublin a lot and we used to play against boys’ teams up there and that helped us because the set-up was very good and we were able to perform then in the big games.”
Noel King, a decorated League of Ireland man, has spearheaded the revolution of the ladies game in this country and was rewarded for his endeavours when succeeding Don Givens as the men’s under 21 manager. Gorman , a polished midfielder like her old boss, benefitted from the tutelage. “Noel King was brilliant to play under, he has so much experience in football and it was great to work with. We were so sad to see him go, but he helped us develop as players and we got great confidence from training and playing under him.”
Considering the impact of that side and the development of the sport in Ireland Gorman admits that it will be increasingly difficult in for the team to stay together in the compact way in which it was formed. “When we were playing in the World Cup the qualifiers for the under-19 tournament were taking place and that would have been one way to keep the team together over the next few years. Unfortunately they didn’t get through to the next stage and it doesn’t look like we will have a competitive game again until September.
“It is a bit quiet at the moment because a new manager needs to be appointed. It will be tough because a lot of the girls are being approached by American colleges with a view to going over there to play and get an education so it will be a big year.”
Kieran O’Mahony and Tony Johnstone’s sterling work has helped Salthill Devon establish themselves as a force locally and in the past couple of campaigns national silverware at senior level has become the objective as they seek to build on what was sample in the under-age grades.
“With Salthill Devon, Kieran O’Mahony has done a lot of work for girls teams and that has helped so many people. He has been an influence for me, and he and Alan Kenny have put in an awful lot of hard work in the last few years to bring the club success and improve players.”
With Gorman the creative hub the vast majority of her teams compete at the business end of the competitions they participate in. Performing in the maroon and white of Galway, Gorman excelled too, winning an All-Ireland minor medal, while also bursting onto the senior stage too. Capturing a Celtic Cross was high up in Gorman’s thoughts when discussing the glory of 2010.
“It was brilliant to win the minor All Ireland because we had been so close for a while. We had been unlucky over the past few years and it was nice to finally do it. That was brilliant, winning that game and playing for Galway.”
Galway ladies’ footballers are edging towards frequent Croke Park appearances again and there is no disguising the fact that the impending campaign will be revealing for them.
Gorman is the definition of a versatile sportsperson, though, and is equally adept playing hockey. Having represented Ireland, like her sister Irene, internationally another call may came for the European Championships in July. “I am not fully sure yet whether I will try to play yet, I haven’t fully made a decision. I will just have to see what happens. It is great that I was able to combine all the sports up to now and I would like to continue them all as best I can, but I will just have to take it as it comes.”
That take it in her stride mentality has ensured most awkward sporting fences have been cleared and the future glimmers with promise for Gorman.
Sitting the Leaving Certificate at the Dominican College on Taylor’s Hill in June, Gorman knows that the next couple of months carry importance both on and off the field. Inevitably she is embracing the challenge. “I have to be very careful with what I choose to do and where I choose to go.
“It has been quiet recently and I have had a nice break over the Christmas which was good. I haven’t fully thought about what I would like to do, but I know that the decision I make and where I will be next year will have a big impact on what I can do in sport. ”
