Dublin Cup blog: The Brits arrive in Ireland

We have arrived in Dublin and this is the place to be for the next two-and-a-half weeks.

We have such a brilliant competition, excellent facility and brilliant final preparations for our men’s squad. This morning the team headed to training at the National Aquatics Centre here in Dublin, lunch, yoga, prehab and off to watch the matches tonight.

There's some really beautiful play by Hungary as they take the match 16-6.

Cristian (Iordache, Head Coach) and Craig (Figes, Team Captain) did a great job at the competition press conference, I went to one of the national radio stations and we are ready for the start of the competition.

The first match was Hungary v Romania and Hungary took a strong lead in the first quarter with three goals to nil.

The first quarter ended with two more goals to Hungary so 5-0.  The Hungarians played superbly in the second quarter up to 7-1 part way through the quarter before leading 9-3 at half-time.

There’s some really beautiful play by Hungary, some awesome tab in’s and flicks. Final score 16-6.

The men have now been done for the opening ceremony.  We were serenaded by a brass band and stood for the national anthems of all of the competing nations, finishing with the opening of the competition.

On to the second match, Croatia v Montenegro. The first quarter was littered by man-up goals, a saved penalty and a great come back from Montenegro after they went 4-1 down to finishing the quarter 4-3.

Half time comes with a lower scoring quarter with Croatia still in the lead by 6 - 4.  Croatia continued to extend their lead in the third quarter with Montenegro scoring a penalty at the end when the GK pushed the ball under water, 9-6 it ended. Final quarter went the same way as the match ending 12-7 to Croatia.

The Brits start their campaign tomorrow (6th July) against Hungary and Montenegro!