Muller’s Ireland eye Celtic Cup as Olympic qualification battle looms
It’s the beginning of a vital couple of months for Gene Muller’s side; some of the world’s best come to Dublin later in June for the Champions’ Challenge, while the European Championships loom large in August.
The decision to centralise the senior panel in Dublin since last October has been offset by less competitive fixtures for the Irish side, a trade-off needed due to the costs of the former exercise. It is hoped the change in approach will help yield qualification for the 2012 Olympics, though only a top-three finish in Europe — where Ireland have never placed higher than fifth — will ensure an automatic berth in London.
