Dublinfest 2008

This year was a little different, with Easter arriving early. Dublinfest began on the 31st of March. Some things never change though and at 6am, all across the country, 1,000 people boarded the Dublinfest coaches for Dublin.

As always, Dublinfest had the private use of the bars on the ferries to really get the tour off to a flyer. With a few 'sing-offs' (Manchester Football managed to find their voices after just 1 pint…) and some 'interesting' tour costumes, the crossing went in a flash, arriving into Dublin at 5pm. After a short transfer we were at our accommodation, centrally located hostels right in amongst it.

The first night is always a strut, with every one dressed to impress in their tour shirts at The Purty Kitchen. I have a feeling people made use of the drinks offers...

The first day of sport on Tuesday came as something of a shock to some people but everyone made it to the sports venues. With the Lacrosse and Football at the fantastic AUL sports complex, Netball and Squash at the UCD Campus and the Hockey at Three Rock Rovers (two water based pitches), we got 3 days of sport underway.

At the netball it was obvious that Birmingham would be the team to beat; they started the competition with 3 wins on the first day. Another strong showing by Exeter showed who the two finalists were likely to be.

The Squash is in its second year at Dublinfest and started at a heart racing pace which didn't abate throughout the week. Clearly it was going to be a challenge to make it to the final.

Over at Three Rock Rovers, after 'initiation fun' the Hockey began. Southampton Ladies were out in force and looking to win the tournament for the first time, but Newcastle weren't making it easy for them. In the mixed tournament, Nottingham seemed to be the strongest of sides on the first day but would they translate this into an overall win?

Dublinfest is the biggest University Lacrosse tournament for UK universities and we know that teams come to Dublin to compete. This year we welcomed Loughborough for the first time. With a large squad and bags of confidence they were looking to make the tournament their own but with strong teams returning to Dublinfest like Munich, Nottingham and Bath, Loughborough would have their work cut out.

Tonight was the first night at Boomerangs, a fantastic underground club where the music doesn't stop until you do. Boomerangs transformed itself into a set for ER, with Doctors and Nurses hitting Dublin in some saucy style.

The retro themes carried on into Wednesday night at Zanzibar's. It's difficult to explain this amazing bar in words so you'll just have to visit it...

Finals Day is a day that showcases some of the best and worst sport of the tournament. For those that haven't stopped for the past 3 days it can be a bridge too far but for most it's time to get serious and go for gold.

The netball is always a competitive affair and this year was no exception. Early predictions were confirmed as Birmingham and Exeter met in the final. After a close first three quarters, Birmingham stepped it up a gear and took a strong lead which they held until the whistle.

In the Squash Warwick took home the team trophy while Gloucester romped home the winner in the Singles.

The lacrosse in 2008 was a tournament where predictions were constantly being reworked. 2008 saw Loughborough attend for the first time and on their debut they took the Women's and Mixed trophy. They came close to taking the men's as well but missed out on the final where Nottingham faced the unbeaten Munich. A tough game followed with both teams trying to stake their claim on the trophy. After the dust had settled Nottingham emerged worthy winners.

The hockey proved to be another tough sport at Dublinfest, with Nottingham bringing a large squad looking to take the mixed and women's titles. Southampton, Newcastle and Glasgow were all looking to make sure that didn't happen. By the end of the day Nottingham walked away with the trophy for mixed and Southampton took the women's after some fantastic team play.

With the sport over, it was time to celebrate and commiserate. Thursday night is presentation night and Zanzibar's played host to some emotional scenes. With the trophy table struggling under the weight of the magnificent trophies, we dished out award after award.

Breakfast on the ferry home at the end of Dublinfest should only be attempted if you have the strongest of stomachs and on the calmest of days. You need a strong stomach in any case to last the pace at Dublinfest. Got what it takes? If so, see you back in Dublin 2009. Register now...

Many thanks for your participation, past and future.

The Dublinfest team