Ireland’s team of Shane Sweetnam and Eregast Van’T Kiezelhof, Richie Moloney and Carrabis Z, Paul O'Shea and Lilli and Cian O'Connor with Quidam's Cherie had been drawn tenth to jump of 12 teams at the Nations Cup in Wellington, Florida as we went to press last night.

Speaking ahead of the competition, Irish team manager Robert Splaine said while Ireland could not accumulate points towards qualification in the Furusiyya league final, the team’s performance would augur well for the season ahead.