Ahead of our trip to Wasps tomorrow, we spoke to Thunder and Northern Ireland’s Caroline O’Hanlon who was straight off the plane from Australia and onto court in the Black and Yellow dress.
By Cassie Nunn-Price.
The Northern Ireland captain, who played in every game for her country at the Commonwealth Games, landed home less than 48 hours before she laced up her trainers and took to the court for Thunder’s win over Surrey Storm.
She is certainly no stranger to the kind of schedule that may seem impossible for some of us, though, successfully balancing her career as a GP with lining up for Gaelic football team Armagh week in, week out.
“The game was a bit of a blur but it was good to get the win,” said the 33-year-old.
“I am honoured to have gone away and be selected for Northern Ireland and to play on this Thunder team, I’m delighted to have the opportunity.”
O’Hanlon, was flag-bearer for her country during the opening ceremony and racked up 334 minutes on court at the Gold Coast, only missing out on the final quarter against Fiji in a 73-46 win.
Northern Ireland finished eighth overall in the Netball competition, equal to their current world ranking. The centre-courter said: ““It was great to consolidate that, we would have liked to have
gone a place or two higher, maybe South Africa or Malawi were games we could
have taken.”
“We were probably boxing above our weight at that stage anyway with our resources
and population, so we have to be happy with that on reflection but at the same time a
wee bit disappointed.”
Pictures: Mark Pritchard