Mark Earley continues An Irish Eye looking an exciting start to the 2014 season . . .
While most teams around Europe are slowly getting back into
track work, playing indoors or perhaps holding trials for the long season
ahead, three of the four strongest Open Division teams in Ireland are busy preparing
for a winner takes all WUCC Qualifier mini-tournament. On the 16th of February Ranelagh (Dublin), Rebel Ultimate (Cork) and Pelt Ultimate (Limerick) are
playing each other in Dublin for the chance to go to Lecco. (Jabba opted out despite their 2nd place finish in last year's All-Ireland Championships). The one day event
will be a round robin style affair with each team playing two games. (A similar
event took place last season for qualification to EUCRs and Ranelagh won,
subsequently travelling to Bern for EUCR-SW where they finished 9th). Speaking of EUC-R, the winner of this tournament will also get the opportunity to represent Ireland at European level next summer, so there are effectively two prizes on offer. Factoring in the costs of a Worlds campaign, it will be interesting to see if the winning club decides to attend both...
