Odds stacked in favour of team chasing cup glory

FOUR of the country’s keenest exponents of a fast-growing sport have jetted off to Dallas in the USA to take part in the World Sport Stacking Championships.

The Irish team, which comprises James Carrigan, 12, Michelle Bergin, 11, and Lisa Kehoe, 13, all from Co Kilkenny, and Dubliner Kevin Flanagan, 15, have been training for up to eight hours per day in preparation for the international event.

Sport stacking involves stacking 12 specially-designed competition cups called Speed Stacks up and down in pre-determined sequences against the clock.

Experts say it boosts hand-eye co-ordination and ambidexterity and gets both sides of the brain working.

Irish coach Micheal Nolan said that while it is just Ireland’s second time to enter a team in the world-class event, this year’s competitors, all of whom are sponsored by Fruice Dilute, have shown commitment and dedication.

“I’m hopeful it could be a great year for Ireland at the World Sport Stacking Championships this Saturday and Sunday,” he said.

“The team has improved immensely and will be competing in a number of categories, including individual, timed events, doubles and a number of team relay events. A total of 17 countries are taking part and competition will be intense but we hope to do well and will give it our best shot.”

The team was selected at the Fruice Dilute All Ireland Sport Stacking Championships which took place recently in Dublin.

An ad for Fruice Dilute featured Irish team member James Carrigan last year, bringing the sport to a wider Irish audience.

Over 50 schools across the country have already incorporated Sport Stacking into their PE curriculum and have found it improves upper extremity quickness.

Active retirement clubs and youth clubs are also using the cups.