Cork Open 2006
WINNER OF IRISH TOURNAMENT OF THE YEAR!!
The first weekend of November saw 16 open division ultimate Frisbee teams converge on the University College Cork playing fields at Curaheen for the 3 rd annual Cork Open Ultimate Frisbee Tournament. Over 150 players representing more than 10 nationalities travelled to the 'real capital' for the only open ultimate tournament on the Irish calendar. The reigning champions, Dublin club team, Johnny Chimpo, were in search of their third successive Cork Open title and were top seeds for the tournament. Last years beaten finalists, Broccoli were pre-tournament favourites to cause an upset and along with the other top seeds Cota Rica, Rimini, Italy and Trinity College Dublin would ensure that the destination of the coveted Cork Open Cup was far from pre-ordained. A host of teams, including 'Sheffield Steal, UK', 'Jerk Factory, Dublin', 'Galway/Limerick' and 'Cota Rica' were playing Cork Open for the first time, highlighting the increasing popularity of the tournament and indeed the sport of ultimate frisbee.

Saturday morning saw classic pool play get off to a rip-roaring start with home team Skulltimate defeat Dublin rivals Captain Huck (DCU) in a hotly contested match, the home team running out 12-7 winners.

Both Trinity College and Johnny Chimpo sailed through the first day of play with confident victories over their pool opponents. UCD and Jerk Factory took the second spots in these respective groups.

Broccoli also played true to their 2nd seeding winning all their games on day 1, their toughest challenge coming from the strong pickup team, Ego who were just beginning to find form as the game ended. In fact all games on day 1 were to go according to seed except for the Skulltimate – Cota Rica clash which saw the home team defeat the hotly fancied Italiansby 2 points. An intense contest with very few turnovers saw the lead switch hands a number of times before Skulltimate took the lead 6-5 when time was called on the game. A game to 7, with Cota in possession was just what the Skulltimate players had been hoping for and when they heightened the intensity on defense, causing Cota to turnover they made no mistake with the disc scoring the final point to reverse seeding on the Italians and secure a much easier quarter-final placing on day 2.

Other tight matches on the Saturday included the clash between 'Sultans of Fling' and 'Sheffield Steal' which saw a spirited 4-point fightback from the home side against the tenacious iron-man Sheffield side, who eventually ran out winners by the tightest of margins.

Sunday mornings most enticing prospect was the meeting of Brocolli and Cota Rica in the the first of the quarter finals. Both teams held high hopes of advancing to the final stages of the competition and indeed this match-up was predicted by many people as a possible outcome for the title-match. Cota Rica, despite being the lower seeds, stepped up the intensity to a new level and played quality 'no-turnover' ultimate to defeat the Brocs 12-4. The other three top seeds Johnny Chimpo, Trinity and Skulltimate advanced to the semi finals without major incident. Both semi-finals provided enticing matches. The first between Trinity and Chimpo was an all Dublin affair, and indeed was a contest between the erstwhile Kings of Irish open ultimate and one of the many pretenders to that crown. Trinity duly showed that youth and exuberance can, on its day, defeat age and wisdom and secured their place in the final with a 13-7 victory.

What should have been a mouth-watering rematch between the hosts Skulltimate and Cota Rica in the second semi-final never materialised as the Italians played patient controlled ultimate, smothering the Cork offence and showing that they could win the big games when it mattered. Skulltimate for their part, played with passion and intensity but found it difficult to recapture their form from the previous day, eventually succumbing 4-13 to the Italians.

The final between Trinity and Cota Rica was played at a hectic pace with two contrasting styles of ultimate on show. Cota, ever patient, working the disc slowly and confidently through the team before performing well executed, high percentage scoring plays, while Trinity were that bit more unpredictable, demonstrating their skill with audacious throws and catches albeit interspersed with more erratic play. In the end as daylight waned the experienced Cota Rica team pulled away to earn a deserved victory. MVP in the final went to Davide of Cota Rica.

The award for Spirit of the Game was awarded to the wonderful 'Frasba-dal-Lac' from Como, Italy. Frasba arrived on Irish shores for their second successive Cork Open and proved what an integral part of the tournament they have become by making friends with all the other teams both on and off the pitch.

The plate was won by DCU and Sultans of Fling took the 'spoon' award.

The mens costume prize went to Paddy from DCU for his B2 stealth bomber.

Back 2 Back saw Andrea and Sparky tied together J for the womens top prize.

Couple of the tournament went to the weird non-PC couple of Borat and Barbie…nice the way theres 2 'b's in there to tie in with the whole party theme.

Brocolli took the party award on their first anniversary as a fully fledged club team.