It has been an unusual time for Ireland hockey goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran.
The 24-year-old was part of the Ireland women's team that captured the public imagination with a second-place finish at the 2018 Hockey World Cup.
The charismatic keeper was the heartbeat of the team, saving seven penalties in the nerve-jangling quarter and semi-final victories and claiming the Goalkeeper of the Tournament accolade along the way.
A move to the Dutch club Kampong materialised last year after completing her studies at the University of Louisville; they signed her as a direct replacement for Dutch international stopper Alexandra Heerbaart.
Based in Utrecht, McFerran followed a similar path to two-time World Goalkeeper of the Year and fellow Irelan international David Harte, who has been with Kampong since 2012.
However, the global Covid-19 pandemic has ground sport to a halt. The Dutch season was cancelled with just five games to go, with Kampong seventh in the table and looking unlikely to make the play-offs.
The Olympic Games, where Ireland would have hoped to back up their World Cup showing, has been put back to 2021.
The Netherlands entered lockdown before Ireland and McFerran says it has allowed her more perspective on a season that wasn’t going to plan even before the virus struck.
"There was more talk here in Holland I think than back home about what was going to happen [before the restrictions were introduced]," she told RTÉ Sport.
"For any athlete it is gutting hearing that, but then once I thought through everything and understood it, it’s better for myself.
"I was in a tough place with hockey and probably needed the break to be honest. I can refocus, gather myself together and go again for next year. It has been the best of a bad situation."
"It encourages you to see the positive side"
The strong bond of the Irish team was visible for all to see at the World Cup in London and McFerran says it is great to be able to tap into that camaraderie in what has been a difficult time away from home.
"It has helped me get through. It’s very lonely being over here by myself so a couple of times a week we’d be in contact, Zoom meetings and phone calls. It’s been nice having that.
"It’s been very fortunate to have such a positive group of girls. If you are having a bad day, I can contact any of them. It encourages you to see the positive side."
Having last played at the start of March and being without access since to training facilities or the club gym, it is a relief to all concerned.
The earliest competitive action they are likely to encounter will be the new campaign in September. That is subject to change and next year’s Tokyo Games is still at the mercy of the virus.
McFerran isn’t entertaining the possibility just yet that the Olympic dream may be scuppered again.
"I don’t think it’s something to think about right now. With everything that is going on, we are trying to stay positive.
"Closer to the time, and given more information from the World Health Organisation, until that happens, I don’t think I will have it at the forefront of my mind.
"Later on it might be something we have to address."
