University of North Carolina Athletics
Cyr-Scully Checks In From Ireland
August 4, 2016 | Women's Basketball
Ali Cyr-Scully, a freshman guard on the University of North Carolina women's basketball team, checks in with GoHeels.com during the 12-day trip for the Tar Heels through the UK and Ireland. The team is currently in Killarney in County Kerry in the Southwest corridor of Ireland.
For me, this European trip couldn't be a better way to end my first summer as a Tar Heel.
After a bit of a rough start with flight delays and cancellations, we finally made it to London on Saturday morning, a day later and in a different city than planned. Traveling by plane, bus, train, boat, foot, and horse drawn carriage, we have toured five cities, including London, Edinburg and Dublin. We've learned about Gaelic sports, eaten fish and chips, explored the Lakes of Killarney and seen the beautiful Irish countryside, but if we're being completely honest, we really came for the competition and the chance to grow as a team.
Our adventures and the good times we've spent together have strengthened our team bond. Being able to face tough competition from the Scottish and Irish national teams has allowed us to gel on the court as well. Most teams won't play their first games until November, but we've already won two and have one more to go, and it's only August. We have a jump start on our season that can only lead to more success. After the games we talked and ate with the players from Scotland and Ireland, expanding the women's basketball community.
I noticed that many of the fans who came out to our games were young girls, who I hope we have been able to inspire to play basketball, and work hard to reach whatever goals they set their hearts on. Being able to take photos with the girls after the games and see their big smiles has made our European tour an even more rewarding experience.
I love to travel and be exposed to different cultures, so playing games and spending time with my new teammates is even better because we're abroad.
On Thursday, the group enjoyed a boat ride through the lakes of Killarney and then a Jaunting Car (Pony & Trap) ride through the Gap of Dunloe. Friday brings an excursion to the Ring of Kerry.
UNC will play its final game of the trip on Saturday against the Irish Senior National team in Cork.
Be sure to follow Carolina's visit to Europe on Instagram & Twitter @uncwbb
