Olympic qualification the carrot for Ireland

IRELAND’S men and women tip off their European championships campaigns this weekend both hoping to cause a major surprise and nick an Olympic place in the process in Moenchengladbach, Germany.

Pre-tournament form suggests the men are more likely to threaten following a summer in which the Celtic Cup, the Champions Challenge II and, perhaps most notably, the INSEP Five Nations Cup were annexed.

Three nations and 2012 hosts England will qualify for London from this competition, making a semi-final berth imperative and Ireland begin with a huge test against them.