Bowling News - November & December 2024
Led by president and captain, there was a good attendance from Bray at the annual ILB dinner in Greenhills. Everyone enjoyed themselves and a modest haul of silverware was brought home to to the club. The second storm of the season, Bert, clobbered the Winter League one Saturday before heading across the Irish Sea to Britain. With the difficult weather in full swing, Bernie Tracey sourced appropriate waterproof, fleeced-lined club jackets and many members took up the offer.
In the ladies World Champion of Champions at Browns Bay BC, Auckland, NZ, Crumlin's Sarah Kelly, represented Ireland. She made it as far as the quarter-final where she lost to the US entrant. Tonga were the eventual winners. Limavady’s Ross McMullan was our male representative but Australia took that trophy.
There was a sizeable turnout of about 60 members for the club AGM. The report of the treasurer, Pat Tracey, was positive and we had been able to upgrade our paths and paving. Ciarán O'Brien and Will McKeon were thanked for successfully applying for a Capital Sports Grant (in the nick of time!). The resulting money would go towards replacing our dilapidated changing rooms and toilets. Pat retained his role as Treasurer while other offices changed hands. Terri McKeon became President while Bernie Tracey took over as Club Secretary. The new offices created were Fixtures Secretary, filled by Niall Shelley, and Vice-Captain which fell on the shoulders of Mark Hughes. Eamonn Kennedy automatically became Club Captain in the absence of any other candidate for the position. He had held the role before and explained to the group how he intended to improve the running of the club. This included encouraging members to avail of training from the Irish Bowls Coaches Association. Marcus Donohoe reminded us of his departure next Summer. Bray's loss would be Dun Laoghaire's gain.
Storm Darragh attempted another strike on the Winter League but most matches went ahead as it did not bring much rain with it. The winds did however result in the closure of Holyhead Port in Wales for the busy Christmas period. Ollie O'Brien of CYM took up the role of IBA President for the upcoming year. His Vice President was Tommy Cheever from the NIBA.
The Winter League is around its half-way stage. In Division 1 South Bray A (Captain: Mark Hughes) are in second spot though far behind leaders Dun Laoghaire A. Division 2 South sees Bray B (Danny Heffernan) on top just a point above second-placed CYM. In Division 3 South Bray C (Terri McKeon) lie third behind Blackrock B and Shankill. Much to play for then in the new year.
In Vets 1 South Bray A (Patricia Fitzpatrick) are in second spot, 4.5 points behind leaders Dun Laoghaire A. Vets 2 South sees Bray C (David B Kelly) four points behind the three teams that share the lead, Greenhills A, Dun Laoghaire B and Blackrock A. In the same league Bray B (John Browne) are fifth so can just relax and enjoy their remaining matches. Bray D (Michael Doyle) top Vets 3 South, three points above Greenhills B.
The club ladder has been giving some bowlers plenty of practice in single combat. Father and son, John and Robert McGrath, have proved themselves aces and seem to be in a near-permanent battle with Dave McMahon for the top spot. Mark Hughes had been thereabouts too until struck down by a chest infection. The biggest mover however has been John Spollen, a winter guest from CYM. His parents, Johnny and Josie, had been champion bowlers at Bray many years earlier.
Mick Keegan and Liam Collins took a novel approach to their ladder match – two bowls each, best of five sets, each set being the first to seven shots. Liam won it by a nose.
In keeping with recent weather the Bray Christmas Rollup was cancelled due to a wild west wind!
A couple of galleries have been added to our website - Miscellaneous Bray and Miscellaneous External. http://braybc.ie/index.php/galleries/twenties#tab1 Happy Christmas, all.
Patrick Brosnan, Bray BC.
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