As part of its preparations for the 2019 European Championships, Ireland traveled to London to play in the annual World Series tournament hosted by the BSF. Ireland went 3 & 2 on day 1 of the tournament, beating the Netherlands and Japan and Scotland, losing to GB Masters and then losing out agonizingly to a place in the top 6 with a tough loss to England in the bottom of the 7th inning in the last game of the day.

Day 2 saw Ireland in the Plate tournament and were in a group consisting of Canada and the other Irish team, the Leinster Craicers. Ireland beat Canada in game 1 and in a tight game 2, needed to dig deep and come from behind to beat the Craicers.

After topping its group, Ireland entered the Page System with two chances of making the final, and needed both chances. First up was the other group winners Czech Republic, Ireland led for the majority of the game but Czech game back strong to win the game over the last two innings of the contest. Ireland’s second chance to make the final came against Africa, this time Ireland made no mistakes and led from start to finish, in the end comfortable beating one of the stronger teams of the tournament. The final was a repeat of the earlier game but this time Czech came out firing and took an early lead which they never gave up and ended up comfortable winners in the Plate final with Ireland finishing eight. A worthwhile tournament with lots of learnings in preparation for the 2019 European Championships.