Sean Gibson still remembers his first career international cap.
It was against Wales in Cardiff in 2005. He scored on an outlet pass from the goalkeeper and had an assist as well.
19 years and nine championships later, Gibson earned his 100th career cap yesterday.
“It’s nice to be recognized for a long career,” Gibson said. “It’s a lot of sacrifice and a lot of effort.”
Gibson was not initially a lacrosse player. He played soccer at St. Francis Xavier University. A friend at school got him into lacrosse as they established a team, and he was using it to help train for soccer.
When he returned home, he signed with an Ontario Senior B team.
He laughed at the memory of his first game.
“I remember getting knocked off by a guy, my gloves and shoes flying off,” he recalled. “I picked up my gear and ran to the bench. My coach said ‘no no, you’re on the floor during the man-up play.’”
Jeff Dowling met Gibson in 2010. It was Dowling’s first tryouts as the head coach of the Irish team. He’d heard of Gibson’s ability as a player and knew he helped set up box in Ireland in 2007.
“He was one of the better players in Ireland, so it was easy for him to be part of the team,” Dowling said. “He knew how to play and played multiple roles for us.”
Gibson’s responsibility on the team has changed over the years. Dowling stated that he was initially an offensive player — one of the leading scorers in Ireland lacrosse history — but has developed his defensive game as he’s gotten older.
“His role with our team right now is defense instead of offense,” Dowling said. “He’s taken any role we’ve given him and played his hardest at that role. He knows exactly what needs to be done.”
Gibson has helped grow the game off the field. He’s served as a member of the Ireland Lacrosse board of directors since 2011, the European Lacrosse Federation board since 2017 and the World Lacrosse Athletes Commission since 2018.
“Most people knew I was passionate about box lacrosse, and getting to help push it forward is pretty awesome,” he said. “And the opportunity to represent our athletes at the highest stage of governance with World Lacrosse for the last six years is an honor.”
Gibson considers this tournament a full circle moment.
“I took draws in my first cap,” he said. “I took some face-offs today and I hadn’t done that in a few years.”
Now, less than a week before his 46th birthday, Gibson cherises every time he gets to wear Ireland across his chest.
“It’s an honor and a blessing every time I get to step on the field,” he said.
