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Bowling News - April 2025
In Bray's Easter rollup twelve rinks took to the field and, in the end, the winners were Niall Shelley's quartet with the man himself being on top form. Afterwards a raffle for various prizes (some non-alcoholic!) was held. Our friends in Greystones were thanked for their participation and also those members who had donated prizes. All-in-all nearly €800 was raised for the club in an event that had been organised by Pat Crinnion, Liam Collins and Philip Bredin.
The Unfurling of the Flag was held for the ILB president, John Hackett of Ierne BC. The visiting bowlers found the condition of the green to be excellent. This was in no small measure down to the TLC of Crumlin's Paul Smyth who had agreed to oversee its upgrade.
The Bray singles ladder, run by Mark Hughes, reached its knockout phase. The top 20 battled it out until just two were left standing, Niall Shelley and John Gilliland. In a close final it was John that took the title and, for the second year running, Niall had to be content with the runners-up spot. All-in-all the competition had produced 205 singles matches and the highest movers were all relatively new to the game – Wes Kehoe (19 places), Liam Collins (18) and Damien Byrne (15). Ann Harris won the novice section.
The Summer bowling leagues got started but the first Saturday saw most matches being rained off. Eamonn Kennedy's Premier team rearranged their visit to Ierne for the following Tuesday. Once again the heavens opened that evening but the game went ahead anyway. Despite all obstacles the Seasiders came away with a creditable two points.
The visit of Colm Heaslip's Division 1 team to Skerries prompted some reminiscences from Roddy O'Leary regarding the bowling pairs tournament that used to be held there two decades previously. One evening he heard a scream from the bathroom of the B+B that he and Pam were staying at. Running to assist, he saw that Chrissie Sheppard had managed to pull off the handle of a tap, unleashing a geyser of water. Roddy managed to screw it back on and received a soaking for his trouble. Another time Bray's Mick Redmond had made it to the competition final but was unprepared for the rain that accompanied it. In a possible world bowling first, he borrowed a ladies' white, waterproof skirt and wore it around his neck for the match!
Patrick Brosnan, Bray BC.
Bowling News - March 2025
With the Summer season approaching, Sunday morning coaching sessions were restarted in Bray for novice bowlers. Mark Hughes, Eamonn Kennedy, Will McKeon and Marge O'Leary were on hand to pass on their expertise.
Isobel-Ruby Nolan (Blackrock) and Amy Carruth (Crumlin) were members of the Senior Ireland Ladies squad at the British Isles Indoor Series in Llanelli. England won the trophy while Ireland notched up a win against Wales.
Good news in the Winter Vets (Thursdays) – Bray D won Division 3 South while Bray A were runners-up in Division 1 South. In Division 2 South Bray C finished third while Bray B came in fifth. As with the Winter League there would be play-offs to choose overall vets champions. In a quarter-final held in Failte Park, Bray A defeated Bray D who took to the green two players short. (Any subs used in a knock-out match had to have played at least two matches for the team in the league phase.) Bray A then faced a semi-final against Greenhills in Greenhills. Bray complained about the home advantage that this gave their opposition but were told it was too late to change the venue. No surprise then when The Seasiders lost the match. In the final Greenhills again enjoyed home advantage against their opponents, Dun Laoghaire, but it was the visitors who prevailed in this inaugural Winter Vets cup.
In the Winter League (Saturdays), Division1 South had been won by Dun Laoghaire with Bray A runners-up. Division 2 South was won by Blackrock with Bray B coming fourth. Division 3 South was won by another Blackrock team with Bray C finishing in third place. Unlike the previous year, there would be playoffs to select overall champions. In their quarter-final match Bray A made the short hop to Shankill where they managed to defeat Blackrock A in a close match. At the semi-final in Greenhills they had a more comfortable victory against Meath to set up a meeting in the final with Dun Laoghaire. In this match Chris Fenton's rink did the business but the other two Bray rinks went down leaving the folk from The Borough holding the trophy.
It had been a great run for Bray and, as Chris said, "Silver is nothing to be ashamed of". In addition the campaign had provided valuable experience for some of the club's up-and-coming bowlers.
Dun Laoghaire had won the first winter double – Winter League and Vets - a fantastic achievement. And many of the same players had participated for them in both competitions.
The Winter Champion-of-champions was won by Ricky Byrne of Meath who beat North Kildare's Sean Tracey in the final.
Patrick Brosnan, Bray BC.
Bowling News - January & February 2025
The year opened with some persistent arctic winds that closed the green for several days.
The club got a shock when popular member, Ger Minogue, unexpectedly passed away. A gentleman with a kindly nature and a twinkle in his eye, he loved to talk and disect the latest goings-on at the club. Ger was usually one of the first to volunteer when a work-party was called for or people needed to teach new bowlers the game. He was also a thoughtful and supportive captain for those teams that he managed. Though not in the top tier of bowlers at the club he did not hesitate to challenge those that were, if he disagreed with their pronouncements.
Winter storms continued to roll in, a real beast called Storm Éowyn that was then followed by Storm Herminia.
Bray member, David B Kelly, made it to the International Arena at Potters Resorts, Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk, for the 2025 World Indoor Bowls Championships. He was often visible in the audience on the TV coverage wearing his blue Bray top. He also sent us back some good photos from his time there.
Sandra McCarthy of Aer Lingus Bowls Club was awarded the Fingal Sports Volunteer Of The Year Award 2025. Secretary, administrator and an outstanding bowler, Sandra was also described as the life and soul of the club, building the membership, and organising outings & events.
More bitter east winds heralded February's arrival.
Glenn Kaufmann (Leinster), Amy Carruth (Crumlin) & Isobel Ruby Nolan (Blackrock) were selected to represent their respective junior ILB Irish Indoor teams. The girls played in the under-25’s International Series in Aberdeen IBC while Glenn shone at the Para series hosted in Port Talbot IBC.
2024 Ladies' Junior Champion, Patricia Fitzpatrick, was Bray's Winter champion-of-champions representative and had a first round draw at home against Herbert Park's Nigel Daly. On a cool but dry Sunday morning it was the visitor that secured victory, 16-21.
Peg O' Toole's husband, Des, passed away. He had enjoyed a long bowling career at Bray that included a Mecredy Cup win in 1996. Phyliis Brett remembers him as one of the nicest, funniest men she had ever met.
At a meeting of the Bray Executive Committee it was decided that the club would enter the same leagues as the previous year, the one exception being that the Wednesday Division 2 team would now participate in the higher Division 1 - so four rinks instead of three. The full list of teams then is
Saturday: Premier, D1, Tormey Cup.
Monday: D1, D2.
Wednesday: D1.
Thursday (vets): D1, D2, D3, D4.
Patrick Brosnan, Bray BC.
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.
Bowling News - October 2024
The inaugural inter-provincial match between Leinster and Munster was played in fine Autumn sunshine. The Blackrock green was immaculate and allowed for some superb bowling from both teams. In the end the youthful Leinster side was victorious. Shay Tyrell and Ian Gillen had organised the event on behalf of ILB Devco.
The Bray People newspaper printed a tribute piece to our own Tommy Cahill. Here is what hournalist, Tom Galvin, wrote:
It’s been over 50 years since Tommy Cahill raised the winner’s trophy [men's championship] at Bray Bowling Club but having gone and “beat five fellas” as the summer came to a close, he is more than proud to say he has done it again.
The 82-year-old has been a club regular for 57 years in total, and, before autumn has come and gone, has his sights set on the winter league and the coveted national championship. While he plays two to three times a week and is thankful for the exercise, it’s the social aspect of the game that really keeps him focused.
I've played many a thing over the years. I've won more and more competitions, captain’s prizes and the championship once down there. And I tell you, I'm at the top now. In other words, I'm on the way back.
It gets me out of the house because I live on my own,” said Tommy, who sadly lost his wife some years ago. “I don't overdo it either. I go down when I feel like it, even if I just want to keep my eye in, you know.”
Although he lives by himself now, father-of-five Tommy has three daughters “running around me, bringing me down a bit of grub or what have you”, a son, and another daughter living abroad.
He said Bray Bowling Club, which recently received a windfall of almost €50,000 from the Sports Capital Grant funding to provide changing rooms and toilets, is a “great club” as “there's everything you want down there”.
Letting it slip as to why he’s perhaps more regular than he needs to be, Tommy said: “There's a little bar and all down there, for God's sake. You know, the social end of it is very good as well.”
A keen golfer, Tommy also won trophies when he was a member at Glen Mill Golf Club, outside Newtownmountkennedy, and ran his own business, T&A Pallets, with his son. He had to sell that however, when his wife got ill and he relied even more on bowling, which became “one of my major outlets”.
[Reproduced by kind permission of Independent News & Media.]
The Winter leagues have returned to their regional basis by popular demand. There is a Saturday competition (three rinks) and a Thusday one for Vets/over-55s (two rinks). Both competitions comprise two northside groups and three southside. Bray entered three teams in the Saturday league and four on Thursdays. The club also play host to the single Greystones vets team.
Luckily the new leagues dodged the first of the winter storms. Ashley hit us on a Sunday and made for some crazy bowling on the day. Once you released your bowl you prayed that the next blast of wind would bring it to the jack (or at least not remove it from the rink).
It was the end of an era at CYM BC when Frank McCarthy passed away unexpectedly. Much admired for his prowess (with those big yellow bowls!) and popular for his twinkle-eyed presence, he will be greatly missed by his club and the wider bowling community. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Patrick Brosnan, Bray BC.
Bowling News - September 2024
September is the month when competitions are decided. To put it another way, "It's showtime"!
The delayed finals of this year's Dun Laoghaire Champion of Champions was played on the second Sunday of September. The host club was unfortunate to lose both men's and women's finals. In the ladies' match Vivienne Beattie went down to Noeleen Kelly of Crumlin whilst Anto Grey lost to Kevin Marshall of Clontarf.
The Summer leagues finished in September. Bray, under Captain Dave McMahon, came a very respectable fifth in the Premier Division, with eight wins, eight losses and no draws. One notable result was when they beat CYM 'A' 6-1 in Bray. Despite this, CYM won the league by a slender two points to wrest the crown back from arch-rivals, Crumlin. In Saturday Division 1 Bray (Captain Brendan Duffy) struggled all season but managed to climb free of the trapdoor in the end. Bray registered six wins but twelve losses. This league was once again easily won by Crumlin who lost only a single match all season. Our other Saturday team was in the Tormey Cup. Led by Ger Minogue they finished second to Blackrock with ten wins and eight losses.
As far as national championships went the month was a good one for a certain club in Dublin 12.
The IWBA National Championships were hosted this year by the ILB at CYM, the club of the IWBA president Jacqui Byrne. Crumlin's Sarah Kelly won the singles competition for the ILB and was also named IWBA Bowler of the Year. Together with mum, Noeleen, she also won the pairs trophy. Isobel Ruby Nolan of Blackrock won the under-18s singles. At the IBA National Championships in Bangor, Co Down, Robbie Maher, Eamonn Carruth, Richie Leonard and Shane Leonard from Crumlin picked up the IBA Fours title. This achievement ended a long drought for the ILB in terms of national titles.
ILB League success did come to Bray via Will McKeon's Monday Division 1 side who finished on top to take the Cooper Cup. This up-and-coming group achieved their success through 14 wins, 1 draw and 5 losses. The club had won this league just once before. In fact it was the first league that Bray ever won, in 1968, three years after the club's foundation. Back then it was known as the Junior League. Novice captain Philip Bredin's team, in Monday Division 2, finished tenth, with six wins and sixteen losses. This league was won by North Kildare who pipped Ierne.
Ireland secured 2 gold and 1 bronze at the European Championships at Northfield Complex, Ayr. Playing against Israel, Ryan McElroy, Shane Leonard (Crumlin) and Mark Wilson battled hard to secure the bronze medal with a 3 shot win. Though Ireland did not win any of the competitions at the Under-25 British Isles series held at Belmont BC, Belfast, the squad did have four representatives from the republic: Colum O'Brien (CYM), Amy Carruth (Crumlin), Isabel Larrigan (Crumlin) and Isobel-Ruby Nolan (Blackrock). The ladies' team narrowly missed out on the silver medal position but took the bronze.
Our (mostly) ladies of ILB Wednesday Division 2 lost their champions titles to Clontarf by a single point. Under captain, Terri McKeon, they registered twelve wins and six losses. Bray did not compete in Wednesday Division 1 but that league was won, for the first time ever, by Westmanstown. In the Junior Challenge Cup the same Bray team beat Dun Laoghaire in the semi-final to set up a showdown against Westmanstown in the final at Leinster. As a sizeable contingent of club supporters looked on, the girls battled the non-stop rain as well as the opposition to retain their trophy.
Bray came third in Vets 1 (Captain: Frank Devlin) and joint second in Vets 2 (Theresa Martin). The respective winners for these leagues were CYM 'A' and Dun Laoghaire 'B'. In Vets 4A Ger Minogue's outfit finished joint third and Pat Tracey's 4B side ended in ninth position. Both of these divisions were won by teams from North Kildare.
For 30 years the pair of long, white benches in front of the viewing hut had served our spectators well but by now they had pretty well lost their battle with the Irish weather. Our resident chippy, Ray Rigley, made new ones of the same design. These were then painted white by John Dunne and his crew. It is now safe again to sit down at Bray!
On a bright Thursday morning the club gave a two-hour lesson to 36 transition year students from Loreto College, Bray. Many club members were there to help out. Afterwards the club had a visit from 93-year-old bowler, Peg, from British Columbia, and her daughter, Patricia.
After many hard-fought matches during the summer the weekend of the Bray club championship finals finally arrived. There was no women's championship this year but the men's competition was won by the evergreen Tommy Cahill who overcame the challenge of Peter Gough. This was only Tommy's second win in the competition. 52 years had elapsed since his first!
Mark Hughes re-started the club singles ladder for the off-season. Entrants are ranked according to performance during the summer. Any bowler can challenge another, up to eight places above them. If they win the match they take his/her place on the ladder and the loser drops one. There was considerable interest among members, over fifty of whom entered.
Patrick Brosnan, Bray BC.
Bowling News - August 2024
The ILB Championship Week finished in early August. In the men's senior trips semi-final Paul Crowe, Zach Martin and Michael Keegan of Bray lost to Christy Kelly, Ollie O’Brien and Paul Doyle of CYM. The latter went on to win the trophy. In the men's senior fours semi-final Bray's Walter Doyle, Mark Hughes, Niall Shelley and Peter Gough lost an exciting game by a single shot to Greg Murphy, Derek Brown, Derek McCarthy and Frank McCarthy of CYM. Dropping two fours did not help the Seasiders.
In the ladies junior pairs semi-final Terri McKeon and Bernie Tracey of Bray beat Rita McIntyre and Marian Fagan of Skerries with an amazing comeback after being 18-5 down. However they lost the final to Deirdre Kinsella and Nuala Fitzpatrick of Sportslink in a close match.
The all-Bray men's junior singles semi-final resulted in John McGrath progressing to the final at the expense of Liam Collins. In the final John was narrowly beaten by Pat Linnane of North Kildare.
In the ladies junior singles semi-final Bray's Patricia Fitzgerald beat Hilda Huddleston of North Kildare. Patricia went on to win the final when she beat Lorna fitzgerald of DLGBC (a previous winner). It was the first time since the competition's foundation in 1977 that the trophy had come to Bray.
Ex-Bray members, John Cheevers and Mark Byrne, were part of the team that won the Junior Fours (Mecredy) Cup for Greystones.
Back to club matters and Gabriel Cahill was heard to complain about the duration of his four-bowl pairs (18-ends) club championship match. Colm Heaslip was passing the ground around three in the afternoon and saw the game getting underway. He later returned during the evening and was amazed to see the same bowlers still slogging it out four hours later. Gabriel and his partner, Philip Bredin, eventually lost!
Two Bray ladies made the Junior Inter-Association tournament in Ward Park, Bangor, Co. Down. They were Theresa Martin and our new junior ILB singles champion, Patrica Fitzpatrick. Sporting their new gear the ILB team played the NIPGL to a nail biting finish on the Friday with a share of the overall score. The next day they were beaten by a very experienced Parks team who were the eventual winners.
In spite of some very noisy Bray supporters at the Shott Cup Final in Blackrock, it was the grass experts from Crumlin that won the day.
Billy Kane left us to join his wife, Jean, in the next world. He was an accomplished bowler at Irish Glass Bottles, Bray and Dun Laoghaire bowling clubs. Always ready to help novices, he was proud of his role in coaching one of Dun Laoghaire's finest, Anto Gray. Before bowling Billy won many trophies as a midfielder with Dublin football clubs, St Joseph's, TEK United and Dunleary Celtic. With the latter he won the FAI Junior Cup.
PJ Treacey, husband of Bray BC's Chrissie Sheppard, also passed away in August. Many years ago, he, together with Des O'Toole and Mick Kelly, dug and planted the grass all around Bray's (grass) green.
Ex-member Pat Cronin reminisced about his bowling days with the club. Bray's senior bowlers were quite reserved on the green, preferring to let their bowls do the talking for them. He said the place only got lively when a noisy Northern team came south for an IBA Cup match. Playing with a senior team one day, Pat began to loudly encourage his own side. Roddy O'Leary told him to be quiet and mind his own rink. Not one to take things lying down, Pat replied that he might just throw Roddy over the nearby hedge! But after the match they were friends again.
Patrick Brosnan, Bray BC.
Bowling News - July 2024
At the halfway stage of their campaign our Monday Division 1 side lay mid-table, nine points behind leaders, Leinster. Their Division 2 colleagues, a mixture of experience and beginners, were just three points above bottom placed CYM. In the Vets leagues our Division 1 side were jousting with CYM for top spot while our Division 2 team were not far off the pace either. Lower down the tables the Vets 4A squad lay in mid-table while the 4B outfit (with many novices) were near the bottom.
At the Champion-of-champions tournament in Dun Laoghaire Bray's Betty Keogh went out to Brid Brien of Shankill. In the men's group Eoghain Brady made a slow start against Ciarán Carrick of Railway Union. Despite a mighty comeback in the second half of the match the Bray man did not make it through. An outbreak of Covid-19 at the venue delayed the final matches until September.
For the first time in years, on the Premier team were some family pairings. Theresa Martin appeared together with son, Zach. Also John McGrath and son, Robert. One memorable result for the team was their 6-1 defeat of CYM A at Fáilte Park. It was the league leaders' first loss of the season and consolidated the hosts' fifth place in the table. (And, as one excited bowler speculated, we may be in line for a Christmas card from Crumlin next December!)
In a Sixsmith Cup quarter-final Wally Doyle's quartet entertained a Blackrock crew headed by Adam Kells. The big crowd of over thirty were entertained by two well-matched sides. The nail-biting game went to an extra end which Bray managed to win to become the first bowlers from the club to reach ILB Championship Week in Leinster. Afterwards Wally described the experience as "hard work"!
Other Bray bowlers also battled during July to join them and the full list of those who made it to the semi-finals is:
- Sixsmith Cup/Men's Senior Fours: Walter Doyle, Mark Hughes, Niall Shelley and Peter Gough.
- Baird Cup/Men's Senior Trips: Mick Keegan, Zach Martin and Paul Crowe.
- WW Robinson Trophy/Ladies Junior Pairs: Bernie Tracey and Terri McKeon.
- McKeon Cup/Ladies Junior Singles: Patricia Fitzpatrick.
- Nassau Cup/Men's Junior Singles: Liam Collins.
- Nassau Cup/Men's Junior Singles: John McGrath.
As it happens our two Nassau Cup entrants meet each other in one of the semi-finals but at least we will have a representative in the final. Our club wishes the best of luck (and weather) to all bowlers at the tournament and also to host club, Leinster BC.
One of our ILB senior pairs had a fruitless quarter-final visit to Crumlin against Richie Leonard and Eamonn Carruth. However the game did produce this memorable piece of WhatsApp reportage from our man on the ground: "Orgasmic performance from Crumlin players, with Eamo this, Eamo that, Stitchie this, Stitchie that, Stitchie the other, pal, bud, move, run, swoop, drop, hold, clear, clear road, etc...basically the full bowls lexicon. Other news: after ten ends, 16-3 to Crumlin."
Ron Prince of Meath BC (and previously Leinster and Westmanstown) passed away. Originally from Fulham, London, he was a long-standing officer of the BLI including holding the presidency. He also contributed much to the Winter League. The passing of this honourable gent was mourned by bowlers, north and south.
In the Shott Cup Bray made it through to the final when they beat North Kildare in Blackrock, 56-33. In the Junior Challenge Cup 1st round, our ladies had a comfortable home win against Crumlin.
Isabel Larrigan (Crumlin), Isobel-Ruby Nolan (Blackrock) and Kyle Murphy (Blackrock) were part of the Ireland squad that competed in the under-18 International Series held in Belmont B.C., Belfast. The four nation series was won by Scotland with Ireland coming fourth.
The DART railway system was 40 years old this month. Club ace, Bryon Dancer, who was a leading engineer on the project, attended a commemorative lunch to celebrate and acknowledge the achievement. Other club members, John McGrath and Jack Kearney, were also invited.
Patrick Brosnan.
Bray Bowling News - June 2024
A somewhat depleted Bray Premier team took the coach to Randalstown, Co. Antrim, for their IBA Senior Cup match against Old Bleach. Bray travelled more in hope than expectation and the result was a comprehensive win for the home side. On the day only one of the six entrants from the Republic won their tie - CYM 'A' away at NI Civil Service (NICS) of East Belfast.
Summer was proving itself to be as elusive a concept as ever, mostly due to persistent cold winds from the North Atlantic. Nor was the rain absent either and three vets matches had to be abandoned one Thursday when greenkeeper, Pat Crinnion, declared the green waterlogged (as well as most of the bowlers!).
At the half-way stage in the Premier division, Bray sat in the middle of the table with four teams above them and four below. The Saturday Division 1 team were unfortunately propping up their league though with the nearest three teams within 3.5 points. The mostly ladies of Wednesday Division 2 lay fifth out of ten teams with half their matches played.
Bray's Monday evening crew made it through to the last four of the Shott Cup when they beat Kenilworth at their Rathmines home. They earned themselves a meeting with North Kildare in Blackrock in July. The club also had competitors in Quarter-Final stages of 6 ILB championships.
Sarah Kelly of Crumlin Bowling Club won the British Isles Singles Championship at Leamington Spa in Warwickshire. In the final she beat Stef Branfield of England 21 - 17. Also there was clubmate, Shane Leonard, who was the only ILB bowler to be part of the team to represent Ireland at the British Isles International Series over the final weekend of June. Ireland played each other country twice, with one game comprising singles and fours and the return game, pairs and triples. Shane featured prominently and helped his country to finish third behind winners, England, and Wales, but above Scotland and Jersey.
Patrick Brosnan.
Bray Bowling News - IBA Senior Cup, June 1st 2024
Bray had not one but two bowler-reporters on this year's coach North for the IBA Cup.
Frank Devlin writes:
Bray BC regularly enter the IBA Senior Cup which is contested by clubs from all four associations affiliated to the IBA. In 2024 Bray were drawn away to Old Bleach from the NIPGL. Old Bleach, who won the cup in 2022, are based in Randalstown, Co. Antrim. This was a tough draw as Old Bleach count among their number a number of current Irish Internations including Adam McKeown, Stephen Kirkwood and Martin McHugh as well as numerous players who have won IBA Championships either in singles, pairs or triples.
Bray decided to travel by bus and left the club at 8.30am. We stopped for breakfast just north of the border and we arrived in Randalstown just after noon where our hosts provided us with vegetable soup to die for!!
The match was an experience as the bowling on display from the host club was top class. We put up a good show early on but the hosts pulled away to win comfortably. Afterwards we were entertained in their fabulous club house and we were well fed before heading back to Bray with our tail between our legs. We arrived back to Bray at 8.45pm tired but well versed in what is required to compete at the highest level.
Did I mention that both Martin McHugh and Adam McKeown were part of the Northern Ireland team who won Commonwealth Gold in 2022 in the 4's !!! Ah yes, an experience indeed.
And Philip Bredin adds:
Bray travelled more in hope than expectation to play Old Bleach in the IBA Senior Cup. The result was a comprehensive win for the home side. The standard of bowls is much higher in N Irl. The facilities were very impressive with plans on display for major expansion. The sport is heavily subsidised and most of their team were very young. Even though they have 120+ members, they only field 3 competitive teams…this makes for strong competition for places!
We were made very welcome and enjoyed food and beverage post-match. For me it was a most enjoyable experience..the result was not what we wanted, but overall a great day.
Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - April/May 2024
The summer season was fast approaching and the ladies' and men's captain ensured that all members were involved in at least one practice match beforehand. The first friendly was played in Bray against Greystones over five rinks. Bray won the game before all retired to the clubhouse for tea and a slice of John Keegan's delicious cake. A return match was arranged for Greystones the following week but had to be cancelled due to a waterlogged green. On the Saturday of Storm Kathleen's visit the men's first and second teams squared off against each other. In an atrocious wind the A team won but had to work hard for their success. In the Premier League friendly in Crumlin, Bray's Mick Keegan and many others shone as the Seasiders achieved an unexpected draw against the stars of Dublin 12.
The singles ladder organised by Mark Hughes finished off with a knockout competition for the top eight. Mark himself contested the final in which he succumbed to Chris Fenton who became the inaugural champion.
The Premier League had just nine teams. This was because Leinster were relegated and Crumlin, who had won the old second division, elected not to have two teams in the top tier. Aughrim would make their debut in Saturday's third tier, now Division 2.
It was decided that, once again, Bray's Saturday Premier team would not weaken the Division 1 team by taking subs from it. Instead both teams could, if needed, draw their subs from Monday's Division 1 side. Care needed to be taken not to use the same bowler more than four times or he could not return to his own team.
The IWBA season began in CYM Bowling Club where President Jacqui Byrne unfurled the flag to start the 2024 ladies summer season. The Bray ladies' section was still low on numbers so they had opted not to accept their promotion back to the Wednesday first division which would have required an extra rink.
When the vets fixtures had been produced Bray BC had somehow been mislaid! A hasty revision resulted in a splitting of Division 4 into A and B sections with a Bray team in each.
Enthusiasm for the ILB championships at the club was high - 56 individual and team entries over all competitions. At this time most have survived the opening skirmishes.
A notable ILB championship match took place in the second round of the senior singles competition when our own John Gilliland hosted the great Richie Leonard of Crumlin. Everything was going to script as the visitor cruised into a commanding 2-16 lead. However the tables turned as the local man finally sprang into action and somehow fought back to bring the score to 17-20. In the final end John was holding three shots when Richie stroked his last bowl through a small gap to steal the jack and win the match. It had been a real thriller for the audience which included a contingent from Crumlin. As one of them said afterwards about John, "We know about him now."
In the Sixsmith Cup John Dunne and his rink journeyed all the way to Cork to play an ICICYMA quartet skipped by Keith Shellard. Garryduff Sports Centre is a sizeable complex set in rolling hills on the southern edge of the city. Two rinks were waterlogged after a morning downpour but the rest were playable. The match itself went one way then the other but, in the end, the local lads won it by two shots. The Bray team were treated to sandwiches and cake afterwards before beginning their three-hour journey home.
The Bray Ladies Junior Trips (Rose Ivie Trophy) team got a shock in their away tie at DLBC. Success seemed assured as they begun the last end, seven shots to the good. Somehow they managed to give away a seven! Neither did things look good as the extra end unfolded – they were two down with only three bowls left to play. Bray skip, Theresa Martin, took her time preparing before drawing her first bowl in for shot. When the local lady missed with her last bowl the end was declared and the visitors' blushes were saved.
In the second week of May many clubs, including Bray, held an open weekend for newcomers to sample what they were missing. Some of our bowlers were on hand for the four sessions and thirty visitors registered their interest in becoming members. This number compared very favourably with other clubs.
The Bray club's paved forecourt was replaced with cement. Members were excluded from the changing rooms while they waited for the new surface to dry...rain notwithstanding!
Due to problems with bowler availability, Bray had to withdraw from the Crumlin and O'D cups.
The Irish men's inter-association tournament was held at Ward Park, Bangor on the last weekend in May. The ILB contingent by club comprised: Crumlin 8, CYM 7, Blackrock 6, Railway Union 1. Despite all this talent they could only finish fourth of four, with the NIPBA being crowned champions.
Patrick Brosnan, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - May 3rd 2024
Bray Bowling Club - Bowls Open Weekend 2024
Saturday 11th May: 10am-5pm
Sunday 12th May: 10am-5pm
Free Entry; Bowls equipment provided; Runners or flat soled shoes required.
Introduction to bowls by BBC members. Come along…give it a go!
Bray Bowling Club, Fáilte Park, Adelaide Rd, Bray.
Philip Bredin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - March 25th 2024
Green Spring Clean
Following a call to arms from Club Sec. Niall, a number of members(12) turned out on Fri 22nd to perform necessary maintenance on surrounds and green spraying. Led by Green Convenor, Pat, and caretaker, Chris, volunteers armed with brushes set to work and the end result was judged a great success. Bryon then made tea for everyone with a strict limit on 1 biscuit each. BBC Green in great shape for new bowling season…no excuses!
Philip Bredin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - March 4th 2024
MEDAL SATURDAY!
All 3 Bray teams secured their medals on Sat. Bray A duly confirmed their place as Div 1 winners and overall Winter League Champions..(not an official title, but I think they deserve it)..with a routine win over Westmanstown at Fáilte Park. Never in doubt here..even Wally was impressed! Also at Fáilte Park, Bray C completed their programme with a close win over Crumlin in Div 5…runner-up spot already secured so Bray could be forgiven for taking the foot off the pedal. Pride of place goes to Bray B, who travelled to take on CYM at Leinster, knowing winner would take runner-up spot…came away with impressive 5 points…mission accomplished! An outstanding performance by Sat squads…well done!
VETS
Quiet week for our Vets. A and B were resting but Bray C had important business to attend to at Dun Laoghaire. This was a winner takes all fixture as runner up in Div 4 was the prize for the winner. Bray, duly delivered the 3 points,and runner up spot to winners Greenhills…Bray looked comfortable for overall from the start, but DL fought to the end. Well done to Captain Dave and his squad. Next week would have seen two back matches played to complete Vets programme..but both A and B got walkovers from Crumlin…saves on petrol, I suppose! That completes the Vets Winter League programme and what a successful programme it has been…3 teams entered.. winner, runner-up and third place…Well done to all concerned.
Philip Bredin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - February 19th 2024
SAT
As we reach the business end of the season, Div 1 and Div 5 are in strong position for medals.
Div 1
An excellent result here…5 points away in Nth Kildare. 3 points clear at the top with 2 games left…looking good for gold but still a little work to do…I’m sure Niall will not be counting any chickens…Next fixture 24/2: Blackrock…away.
Div 4
Another comprehensive win with maximum points against Westmanstown. With 2 games to go, it’s going to require other results to go our way if we are to medal here…but never say never! Next fixture 24/2:… Clontarf at Aerlingus.
Div 5
Bray spirits were somewhat dampened at Dunlaoire..and it wasn’t just the weather! A disappointing single point return…but still all to play for…a win next week at home to Aerlingus will put us in strong position for runner-up spot. Next fixture 24/2:…Aerlingus….home.
VETS
For the day that was in it, there was very little love on show at Fáilte Park on Wed. Serious affair, as visitors Skerries and Shankill went home with little to show for their efforts.
Div 1
Very quick start for Bray but visitors never gave up..they are in silver medal place after all… In the end home side took 3.5 points…depending on other results for outside chance of medal. Next fixture 21/2: Nth Kildare…home.
Div 3
Another fast start but in spite of a Shankill comeback, 4 points were secured and Bryon is working on his victory speech. Next fixture 21/2: Dunlaoire…home.
Div 4
A visit to Greenhills…and home side secured 4 points and gold medal…well done to them. Bray have 2 away games left..4 points from the two games will win us the silver medal…yes you can! Next fixture 21/2:..Westmanstown…away
Philip Bredin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - February 12th 2024
SAT
Div 1
I am reminded that this is the first year for Div1 competition. No playoffs this year..so Bray are in pole position to claim the first prize. Survived a tricky visit to Aerlingus green and took 5 points against Clontarf. With 3 matches to play, we are 2 points clear…long trip to N Kildare next…Niall looking for overnight expenses! Next fixture..17/2…Nth Kildare..away.
Div 4
Mid table here with 3 games to go….a chance to try out new combinations, maybe. Next fixture…17/2…Westmanstown…home.
Div 5
Playing for silver medal…visiting DL next and finish with 2 home games. Next fixture..17/2…Dunlaoire…away.
VETS
BBC had a full house on Wed,Vets hosting Westmanstown x2 and Aerlingus.
Div 1…A routine win with 4 points but paying the price for a slow start to the league campaign as it appears with only 3 matches to go, the medal positions look out of reach. Next fixture 14/2..home to Skerries.
Div 3..things looking much brighter here! In spite of “top of the table”nerves ,3 points secured maintains top spot,with a game in hand. Next 2 games at home and final game away in Greenhills against Crumlin. Bryan is taking names for the supporters bus. Next fixture 14/2..home to Shankill.
Div 4..A close call here..overall by a single shot…Ciaran said it was never in doubt…gold medal still possible here. Next fixture 14/2..away to Greenhills.
Philip Bredin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - February 5th 2024
Bray secured a very credible five wins out of six this week. A clean sweep by the Vets teams on Wed leaves Bray B leading Div 3 and in a very strong position for medals with 4 games remaining…3 at home! Bray A and C are comfortable in mid-table.
On Sat Bray A improved their top spot with full points against Leinster Lions A. 4 games left….3 away from home…could be a close finish. Bray C visited Kenilworth for a top of the table clash but returned to Bray empty-handed with “nul poise”. Runner-up spot looks likely here. Bray B are in third place with a game in hand.
Next Week's Fixtures
Wed 7/2
Bray A v Westmanstown A………Home
Bray B v Westmanstown B………Home
Bray C v Aer Lingus ……………..Home
Sat 10/2
Clontarf A v Bray A…………….Aer Lingus
Leinster B v Bray B……………Leinster
Philip Bredin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - January 29th 2024
A very successful week's bowling for BBC, with wins for Vets A and B at home to Meath and Skerries on Wed, and Bray B at home to Leinster Lions on Sat. The only sour note was a loss by Bray A to Dun Laoire A, away, on Sat.
I was at this match and it was a real “top of the table” cracker! Bray actually won 2 rinks but came up short, by 3 shots, on the overall. The result was still in doubt with the last bowl in the final end...great stuff.
Next Week's Fixtures
Wed 31/1
Vets A v DunLaoire…………Dun Laoire
Vets B v Clontarf A…………Sportslink
Vets C v Clontarf B…………Sportslink
Sat 3/2
Bray A v Leinster Lions A….Home
Bray B v Blackrock B………Home
Bray C v Kenilworth B……..Kenilworth
Philip Bredin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - January 22nd 2024
The return of the Winter League brought mixed results for Bray Bowling. The Vets programme fell foul to the weather when Greenhills was deemed unplayable on Wed. On Sat both Bray A and Bray C were quietly confident, as leaders in Div 1 and Div 5. However, whereas Bray A collected full points from CYM, Bray C were well beaten by visitors Blackrock and could only manage a single point.
Next Week Fixtures
Wed 24/1
Bray A v Meath……….Home
Bray B v Skerries B….Home
Bray C v BYE
Sat 27/1
Dun Laoire A v Bray A……Dun Laoire
Bray B v Leinster Lions…..Home
Bray C v BYE
Philip Bredin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - January 15th 2024
Winter league.
Inter Club Bowls returned to Fáilte Park on Sat 13th ,with the visit of Clontarf for the Div 4 back game. There was little New Year cheer on offer to the visitors, as BBC completed a comprehensive win, claiming all 6 points. This result moves Bray up to 3rd in the table. Elsewhere on rink 1, Executive bragging rights were at stake as President John completed a challenge win over Men’s Capt. Dave.
The full Winter League programme returns following Christmas break. Half way through, 5 played…5 to play….all teams are in strong positions.
Div 1. Sat 20/1. Bray A v CYM A. Home. Current Position …..1st.
Div 4. Sat 20/1. Bray B BYE Current Position……3rd.
Div 5. Sat 20/1. Bray C v Blackrock C. Home. Current Position……1st.
Vets
Div 1 Wed 17/1. Bray A v Crumlin A. Greenhills. Current Position …..6th
Div 3. Wed 17/1. Bray B v Crumlin B. Greenhills. Current Position……1st
Div 4. Wed 17/1. Bray C BYE.
Philip Bredin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - January 4th 2024
Members of Bray Bowling Club, having enjoyed their Christmas break, (hopefully not to excess), are preparing for the resumption of the ILB Winter League. At the half way stage, all 6 teams are in strong position to challenge for ultimate honours. Div 1, Div 5 and Vets Div 3 are in particularly strong standing as leaders of their respective leagues. President John Dunne, Mens Capt. Dave McMahon and Ladies Capt. Terri McKeon wish all members good health and enjoyable bowling in 2024.
Philip Bredin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - December 2023
Long journeys aside, the new Winter leagues are being keenly contested. Going into the Christmas break, Bray teams are leading Saturday Divisions 1 and 5 while another is joint top of Vets 3 on Wednesdays. And few Irish bowlers will forget the Saturday in December when they had to play as Storm Elin made her dramatic entrance.
Mark Hughes (with help from Alan Hopkins and Theresa Martin) organised a singles challenge ladder for the club. Initially entrants are ranked according to their previous season's achievements. Anyone can then challenge someone up to five places above them to a match. If he/she wins they move up to that person's place on the ladder. The competition, proving to be a popular initiative, runs until the end of March '24.
The ILB prize-giving dinner took place in Greenhills on a Saturday evening in November. The association's president, Frank Devlin of Bray BC, presided over an enjoyable evening attended by a respectable 21 members from his own club as well as many others. Bray accepted three winners trophies - the ladies junior league and cup double (Wed Div 2) and Vets 4 - as well as runners-up for Monday Division 4 and the ladies junior singles (Theresa Martin). Sarah Kelly of Crumlin was named Bowler of the Year.
An Inclusion Day was held at Bray Bowling Club on the last Sunday in November and is described on the Irish Lawn Bowls Facebook page. At the men's AGM Dave McMahon saw off the challenge of Marcus Donohoe to be re-elected club captain. Among other goals, he emphasised the need to make better use of Division 6 to train new bowlers.
Ciarán O' Brien, Pat Crinnion and others organised a Christmas roll-up for a Thursday morning in December. Twelve teams slugged it out over six rinks but by two o' clock only Niall Shelley's outfit was still standing. They each won a cash prize for their efforts while Wally Doyle's runners-up made off with four bottles of champagne. A raffle ensured that many others went home with wine or chocolates. Theresa Martin laid on a great spread of sandwiches for after, and John Dunne, the mulled wine.
The Christmas do went off the following Friday evening in the clubhouse. ILB medals were given out before Frank Devlin's table quiz competed with alcoholic beverages for all available brain cells in the room.
So that's that for another year. Happy Christmas 2023 to all bowlers and their families from Bray Bowling Club.
Patrick Brosnan, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News -November 2023
It is all change for the winter as Irish Lawn Bowls took over from the All-Weather Bowling Association. The Winter League is now a five division affair with promotion and relegation for the winners and losers. The regional approach is gone and your opponents can be anywhere in the Dublin region (which caused some grumbling in the ranks!). Matches are held on Saturday mornings and Bray shares Fáilte Park with a team from Blackrock. Bray have three teams: in Divisions 1, 4 and 5.
A Winter Vets league has also been introduced which runs on Wednesday mornings. Four divisions are in operation and again Bray entered three teams: in Divisions 1, 3 and 4. The Greystones vets team shares the Bray green for the duration. Currently Bray B are heading Division 3 though it's early days yet.
Club captain, Dave McMahon, and senior skip, Chris Fenton, arranged drill sessions where any member could come along to test their skills against differently configured heads. Each bowler has two bowls and the drills have included (i) draw to a short jack just in front of the ditch; (II) knock a jack positioned between two bowls into the ditch; (III) come into four "opposition" bowls in front, and to one side, of the jack; and (iv) draw to a jack a short distance behind an "opposition" bowl. Bowlers of all levels have turned up to test their skills. With mixed results!
The men's senior inter-association panel for 2024 has been selected. It includes ten players from Crumlin, nine from CYM and seven from Blackrock. Speaking of The Rock, Isobel Ruby Nolan has been selected for upcoming under-18’s, under-25’s and senior tournaments. Her grandmother, Phillis, may be gone but her genes are clearly still with us!
Patrick Brosnan, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 11/10/23
The week began with the final of the 4-Bowl Pairs in the 2023 Club Championships with victory going to Walter Doyle and Pat Crinnion over Niall Shelley and Ger Minogue. Niall had a great championship, winning 1 title and finishing runner up in 3. All that remains to be played is the Ladies Championship and hopefully that will be played soon. The Monday drills continue apace and all are welcome to attend and improve their skills. All thoughts now turn to the Winter League which commences on 21st October.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 04/10/23
The leagues finished off this week with our Vets 4 team comprehensively defeating Westmanstown at home to clinch the title. Well done to all concerned and I have no doubt that Captain Michael Dunne raised a glass in Perth, Western Australia, when the news filtered through. Vets 3 got a walkover from Westmanstown and ultimately finished third in their division. This was a case of leaving it behind them. Vets 1 and 2 finished their respective campaigns with victories over Greenhills and Ierne.
The club championship finals took centre stage last weekend with the weather upsetting the plans of the organisers. Proceedings commenced on Saturday morning with John Gilliland defeating Niall Shelley in the handicap singles. Niall qualified for 4 finals and was in for a busy weekend. The rest of the Saturday fixtures fell victim to the weather. On Sunday morning Niall took to the rink in the 2-bowl singles against Chris Fenton where he proved victorious. In the afternoon the Men's Championship between Niall and Eoghain Brady proved to be a humdinger. The experience of Eoghain came through in the end and he will represent the club in the 2024 Champion-of-Champions competition where he tasted victory in 2022. In the 2-Bowl Pairs John Cheevers and Patsy Campbell proved too strong for Marcus Donohue and John Treacy. The 4-Bowl Pairs and the Ladies Championship have still to be played and a report will follow in due course.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 27/09/23
Bray's club championship semi-finals were completed last week so the pairings for the finals are now all known. Niall Shelley has continued this season's great form by qualifying for four of them! He is the current men's club champion and will play the previous holder, Eoghain Brady, in the final. The ladies' championship final will be between lady captain, Terri McKeon, and veteran, Betty Keogh. Our South African expat, Chris Fenton, will be hoping to win his first Bray title when he takes on Niall in the 2-bowl singles final. Likewise for relative newcomer, John Gilliland, who will meet Niall in the final of the handicap singles. There are also the 2- and 4-bowl pairs to be decided. The finals will take place this weekend (Sat 30/9/23 & Sun 1/10/23), morning and afternoon, and visitors are welcome to come along to see our best in action.
Thursday last was the penultimate round of the Veterans Leagues. In Division 1 Bray had a good win against Leinster at home, with Terri McKeon maintaining her strong form at lead. Bray won this league last year but will hand over their crown next week to the winners of Dun Laoghaire v Meath on Thursday. Another humdinger will be the relegation bout at Herbert Park who host fellow strugglers, Leinster. Bray visit Greenhills for their final match. Bray's representatives in Vets 2 lost a close match at St James's Gate, 3-1. For their final match on Thursday they will play Ierne in Bray. In Vets 3 Bray returned from North Kildare with just a point, one of their rinks having had the misfortune to drop an 8 in one end. They too will will finish the season with a home tie, against Westmanstown. In the fourth vets league Bray managed to steal a priceless point from a tough match at Ierne in Drumcondra. They are top of the table, two points ahead of Dun Laoghaire, and will look to seal the deal against Westmanstown at home on Thursday. Bray will be missing a few key players but Dun Laoghaire will be away at Blackrock. C'mon Bray!
Patrick Brosnan, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 20/09/23
A quiet enough week in the club this week. The Wednesday (Division 2) league winning squad and the Ladies Junior Challenge Cup winning team are going around with smiles on their faces and are easy to spot !! On the playing front Vets 1 travelled to Herbert Park and brought back 1 point to sit firmly in mid-table with 2 games to go. A feature of their game was that the rink skipped by Chris Fenton dropped a 7 on one end but dug in and won the rink on the final end. It just shows that perseverance pays off in the end and the opera is never over etc. Vets 2 were defeated at home by league winners Blackrock. Vets 3 had a great win at home to Dun Laoghaire and are back in the hunt for league honours with 2 games to go. Vets 4 had a comprehensive win at home to Clontarf and they top the table, again with 2 games to go. Keep it up 3 and 4.
This week sees Vets 1 play at home to Leinster, Vets 2 head to D12 to take on St.James's Gate, Vets 3 head to the plains of Kildare to take on North Kildare in a pivotal clash and finally Vets 4 travel to Drumcondra to take on Ierne in another pivotal clash. The club championships are all reaching the semi-finals stage and we will be reporting on all the action soon as well as putting together our annual end of term report on all the teams.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 13/09/23
Pride of place this week goes to our Division 2 (Wednesday) team who clinched the league title this week and also to our ladies who won the ILB Junior Ladies Challenge Cup last Sunday. The Division 2 (Wednesday) team travelled to Greystones needing 2 points to clinch the title. Our neighbours certainly put it up to us with the match finishing all square and the necessary points achieved. As the saying goes "good teams win leagues". Well done to Captain Terri McKeon and her squad of ladies and the odd gent! Bray last won the Junior League in 1988. On Sunday the Junior Cup Ladies Team travelled to Herbert Park in leafy D4 to face Clontarf in the final. In a ding-dong battle the Bray Ladies held firm to take the cup. Congrats again to Captain Terri and her squad. Special mention to Phyllis Brett who played in 1988 and again this year. A fine wine etc etc.
3 of our Vets teams saw home action last week with Vets 2 defeating Westmanstown, Vets 3 suffering what could turn out to be a costly defeat against Skerries and Vets 4 overcoming Blackrock to maintain their position in the top 2. This Thursday has Vets 1 travel to Herbert Park, Vets 2 host Blackrock, Vets 3 host Dun Laoghaire and Vets 4 are at home to Clontarf. The club championships are reaching the business end and the odd little surprise result has appeared here and there.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 06/09/23
There is an autumn feel in the air as the season draws to a close. Last Monday saw Division 4 finish their campaign in style with a comprehensive home victory over Sportslink. A well-deserved second place was achieved. Our Division 2 (Wednesday) team got 5.5 points at home to Westmanstown to leave them needing 2 points from their last match this Wednesday away to neighbours, Greystones, to clinch the title. Here is hoping for some neighbourly gifts!! Last Thursday all 4 Vets teams saw action. Vets 1 found the going tough away in Westmanstown and returned pointless. Vets 2 got 3 points at home to Skerries. Vets 3 suffered a setback away to Greystones but the 1 point could be invaluable at the end of the season. They are in second place. Vets 4 continued their good run by taking 4 points away in Shankill to remain firmly in second place. Saturday saw both Division 1 and 2 play their last games of the season with Division 1 taking 1.5 points at home to Blackrock to finish in seventh place in the league. Division 2 (Saturday) suffered a heavy defeat away to Ierne and they finished in mid-table. Congrats to Crumlin on winning both Division 1 and 2.
On Thursday Vets 1 have a rest day, Vets 2 host Westmanstown 'C', Vets 3 host Skerries and Vets 4 host Blackrock. On Sunday all roads lead to Herbert Park as our Division 2 (Wednesday) team play Clontarf in the Ladies Junior Challenge Cup Final at 2.30pm. With a bit of luck they could be going for the double. Finally, congrats to Patricia Fitzpatrick and Theresa Martin both of whom performed with aplomb in the Junior Inter-Association series in Bangor, Co.Down, as part of the ILB team who finished in second place. Well done ladies.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 30/08/23
A number of success stories to start the week with. On Monday last our Division 4 team clinched runners-up spot in a very competitive league. First of all we offer our congratulations to our neighbours, Greystones, who won the division and have the North Wicklow bragging rights. The Bray team had a great season and congrats to the team and their selectors i.e. the three wise men of Gabriel Cahill, Michael Doyle and Will McKeon. The good news continued with both Patricia Fitzpatrick and Theresa Martin getting selected on the ILB Junior Inter-Association team to travel to Bangor, Co. Down, to represent the ILB this coming weekend in the annual series against the 3 associations from Northern Ireland. Well done ladies and no doubt you both will do the club proud.
On Sunday Division 2 ( Wednesday) were in cup semi-final action against Westmanstown and had a comprehensive win to qualify for the final. The same team had suffered a setback in the league away to CYM but they still are top of the table with 2 games to go. As a famous former football manager once said "it is squeaky bum time". On Thursday last all four Vets teams saw action with Vets 1 losing in Clontarf. They still have an outside chance of getting runners-up with 4 games to go. Vets 2,3 and 4 were all in home action against Westmanstown, North Kildare 'B' and Crumlin and all recorded victories Vets 3 and 4 are still very much in the mix with 5 games to go. Saturday saw Division 1 take 6 points at home to Westmanstown. They will complete their season next week at home to Blackrock. Division 2 ( Saturday) had a tough day at the office away to Greenhills and returned pointless. They finish their campaign next week away to Ierne.
Division 2 (Wednesday) are at home to Westmanstown as they continue their quest for league honours and a return to the top flight. The Vets teams continue apace this Thursday with Vets 1 making the long trek to Westmanstown, Vets 2 hosting Skerries., Vets 3 making the short hop to Greystones and Vets 4 making even a shorter hop to Shankill. Whilst the league matches are coming to a close the club championships are moving along nicely and we will be reporting in some detail in the weeks to come.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 23/08/23
Last week got off to a good start when the Division 4 lads took 5 points at home against Blackrock. Bray still have an outside chance of snatching the winners' crown in this league from Greystones. The Division 2 ladies also had a good week, winning their postponed match in Crumlin before beating Dun Laoghaire Golf Club at home. They currently look down on everyone else with a five point cushion. On Thursday Vets 1 and 4 registered wins, the latter doing it at North Kildare and still in with a chance of winning that league. Though Vets 3 got nothing at Greenhills they still top their division by 1.5 points. Saturday was a day to forget with the senior teams both losing to aristocrats. The Division 1 side were away to CYM 'A' and the Division 2 side at home to Crumlin. For this team, skip John Browne managed to salvage a point with his final two bowls. Before leaving the aristocrats behind, we wish to congratulate the new queen of Irish bowling, Crumlin's Sarah Kelly, on winning the IWBA singles title.
On Wednesday the Division 2 ladies will be looking to maintain their grip on the leadership when they journey to CYM. Thursday sees the Vets 1 face a tricky tie in Clontarf whilst the other three teams all play at home. On Saturday the Division 1 men will be hoping to put recent setbacks behind them when they entertain Westmanstown in Bray. Their Division 2 counterparts face a big challenge when they visit leaders, Greenhills, on their own turf (so to speak). Monday the 28th sees our Division 4 representatives play their final match at home to Sportslink.
Patrick Brosnan, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 16/08/23
The leaves are beginning to fall and the nights starting to draw in and some of the leagues have the finishing line in sight. Division 4 carried on their run of good form last Monday when they got all six points at home to Westmanstown. They remain in second place with three games to go. On Thursday last all 4 Vets teams won their matches with Vets 1 getting a great 3.5 points away in Dun Laoghaire to remain in the top 4. Vets 2 got 3.5 points at home to Dun Laoghaire and both Vets 3 and 4 got all 4 points at home to Blackrock and Dun Loaghaire respectively. Vets 3 and 4 are both up there in the top 2. The Vets leagues go on until late September so there may be a twist or two yet. Saturday saw both Division 1 and 2 suffer heavy defeats at home to Crumlin and away to Skerries.
This week sees Division 2 (Wednesday) take on Dun Laoghaire Golf Club at home. On Thursday Vets 1 play host to the Royals from Meath. Vets 2 make the short trip to neighbours Shankill. Vets 3 go to Greenhills and Vets 4 travel to North Kildare. Saturday next has Division 1 away to CYM 'A' and Division 2 at home to Crumlin. Both are tough assignments. Next Monday has Division 4 travel to Rathmines to take on the money-men from Bank of Ireland. The club held a very successful Open Day last Sunday and a big thank you to all who helped out. Let us hope we get some new members out if it.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 09/08/23
After the hosting of the Irish Lawn Bowls championships for 2023 normality returns to the bowling club this week. The championships were a great success and thanks to all in Bray for all their hard work during the week. A special mention to the ILB team of Sheila Kelly, Agnes Gillick and Elizabeth Eager who manned the fort during the week and ensured all ran smoothly. They even ensured the weather was favourable most of the time !!!. Commiserations to our own Theresa Martin who just came up short in the McKeon Cup final against Mona McCormack from Sportslink.
Thursday sees the action resume in the leagues with Vets 1 heading to Dun Laoghaire, Vets 2 hosting Dun Laoghaire, Vets 3 hosting Blackrock and Vets 4 hosting Dun Laoghaire. Saturday sees Division 1 at home to league leaders, Crumlin, who boast multiple ILB winners and finalists among their team. Division 2 make the long trek to Skerries where the locals will be buoyed up by their O'Leary Cup victory in ILB Championships. Monday has Division 4 at home to Blackrock and on Wednesday our Division 2 (Wednesday) team are at home to Dun Laoghaire Golf Club. The club championships are in full swing and remember all - do not leave it until the last minute to arrange matches.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 02/08/23
Another week of action on the rink. On Monday last Division 4 travelled to Crumlin and got 1.5 points. They are still holding fast in second place with four games to go, three of which are at home. Keep it going, gang, and hopefully there will be medals to collect. Division 6 finished their campaign last Wednesday with a good win at home to Ierne. Well done to the team and also well done to Theresa Martin for organising everything during the season. Our Division 2 (Wednesday) team made a wasted journey to Crumlin only to be told on arrival the match could not be played due to torrential rain. Thursday last saw all 4 Vets teams in action against CYM. Vets 1 were at home and unfortunately had no luck. Vets 2, 3 and 4 travelled into CYM and there were victories for Vets 3 and 4 and they remain in the mix in their leagues. Saturday saw Division 1 travel to Kenilworth and they brought home 2 points. Division 2 were at home to Westmanstown and they got 5 points.
This week there is no league action due to the ILB Championships being held in Bray. Great credit is due to the members for all their hard work in having the club in such great condition. The weeds are afraid to show their head!!. Drop down during the week to see the cream of the country's bowlers strut their stuff. There are two sessions each day ie 1.30 pm and 5.30 pm. The action resumes on Tuesday 8th August when Division 4 begin their run-in with a home fixture against Westmanstown and remember it is a 6pm start. A date for your diary now - Sunday 13th August sees Bray Bowling Club host an Open Day from 11am to 6pm. Why not drop down and try the game. All you need is flat-soled shoes. The club will provide everything else.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 26/07/23
Mid-July has come and gone and the bowls keep rolling on. Last Monday 17th July saw our Division 4 defeat CYM at home to remain in second place with 5 games to go. Division 2 (Wednesday) defeated Herbert Park and they are still sitting pretty at the top of the table. On the same night Division 6 had a good win at home to North Kildare. They finish their campaign this week with a home fixture against Ierne. Vets 2, 3 and 4 were all in home action last Thursday and all recorded victories against Kenilworth, Sportslink and Meath respectively. Saturday saw Division 1 play host to Dun Laoghaire and Division 2 (Saturday) travel to Dun Laoghaire. The result in both matches was the same with victory going to the home team by identical scores ie 5.5/1.5. There was symmetry for you !! On the same day our Division 5 team completed their schedule in Blackrock. Unfortunately they had no luck.
This week has Division 2 (Wednesday) travel to Crumlin. We take this opportunity to wish Noeleen Kelly from Crumlin a speedy recovery from her recent illness and look forward to her returning to the rink. On Thursday all 4 Vets teams do battle with CYM - Vets 1 are at home and Vets 2, 3 and 4 travel to leafy Terenure. On Saturday next Division 1 travel to Kenilworth, Division 2 host Westmanstown.
The National Championships are being held in Bray from Monday 31st July to Saturday 5th August with sessions each day at 2pm and 6pm and all are welcome to drop in (free admission) to see the cream of the country's bowlers (male and female) strut their stuff.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 19/07/23
A quiter than usual week on the rink this with some teams having a rest week and it was also the week when the weather intervened when some thunderous downpours caused a number of postponements. Division 4 had a very impressive win away to Dun Laoghaire when they took all 6 points on offer. Captain Gabriel Cahill is running a good show here and the team sit in second place at the moment. On Wednesday our Division 2 (Wednesday) made the short hop to Shankill and unfortunately they only got 1 point but still remain top of the table. Thursday saw Vets 1 carry on their upward march by taking all 4 points at home to Crumlin. While visiting captain, John Leonard, was happy for people to hear about his super drive one end which took out his opponents' only bowl in the head, he was more coy about his, ahem, wrong bias earlier in the match! Vets 3 got 1 point away to the same opposition and have dropped to second place in their league. Vets 4 travelled to Westmanstown for the second week in a row and got 1 point. They still remain in the business end of things. Saturday saw Division 1 and 5 rained off. Division 2 (Saturday) took 5 points off Clontarf at home to continue their excellent season.
Pride of place this week goes to John Cheevers and Marcus Donohue who qualified for the semi finals of the ILB Pairs Competition. The semi-finals and final will be held in Bray so no pressure lads. Also this week the new Polo Shirts made their debut and they look impressive. Thanks to all involved.
This week sees Division 2 (Wednesday) host Herbert Park, Division 6 are at home to North Kildare also on Wednesday. Thursday has Vets 2 at home to Kenilworth, Vets 3 at home to Sportslink and Vets 4 at home to Meath. Saturday has Division 1 at home to the Boro Boys/Girls ie Dun Laoghaire and Division 2 (Saturday) travel to Dun Laoghaire. Division 5 make the long trip to Westmanstown. Next Monday 24th July has high flying Division 4 travel to Crumlin. Next week's column will contain important information about the forthcoming ILB Championships to be hosted by Bray BC during the week commencing 31st July.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 12/07/23
Another all-action week on the rink with Division 4 kicking proceedings off last Monday with a comprehensive home win against Kenilworth to maintain their pursuit of near neighbours, Greystones, who have a big lead at the top of the table. Wednesday saw Division 2 (Wednesday) overcome Skerries at home and they remain top of the table. The team is playing with great confidence at the moment. On the same night Division 6 got 1 point at home to Blackrock. Thursday saw all 4 Vets teams playing with contrasting fortunes. Vets 1 continued their upward march with a home win against Herbert Park. Vets 2 travelled to Ierne and the northsiders had too much in the tank for Bray. Vets 3 took 1 point home from Westmanstown and are still hanging tough at the top of the table. Vets 4 took 3 points back from Westmanstown and are still very much in the hunt for league honours. Saturday saw our 1 rink team hit the jackpot in Crumlin where they took home the kitty. Our Division 1 team got back to winning ways by taking all points on offer at home to Leinster. Division 2 (Saturday) found the going tough away to Railway Union and got 1 point. On Sunday, our representative in the Champion of Champions competition, Niall Shelley, was defeated in the quarter-finals by Joe Fitzsimons from Meath. On the same day our team in the Junior Challenge Cup had a big win at home to Skerries..
This Wednesday sees Division 2 (Wednesday) make the short hop to Shankill. Division 6 have a free night. Thursday has Vets 1 at home to Crumlin, Vets 2 have a rest day, Vets 3 are in Crumlin and Vets 4 travel to Westmanstown (again). Saturday has Division 1 in Terenure where they lock horns with CYM 'B', Division 2 are at home to the aristocrats of Dublin 3 ie Clontarf and Division 5 are in Westmanstown. Next Monday sees Division 4 at home to CYM. The club championships have kicked off and we wish all competitors the very best as they aim to get their names on the Honours Boards.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 05/07/23
Whoever said lightning doesn't strike twice !! You may recall two weeks ago we gave pride of place to two rinks who scored the maximum 8 on an end. Well, one of the two went and did it again. Yes, John Reynolds, Bryon Dancer, Roddy O'Leary and John Browne repeated the feat on Saturday 24th June against Ierne. The team Division 2 (Saturday) picked up 6 points to remain in second place behind Crumlin but all the kudos goes to the "Fab Four!!
Our Division 4 team made the short hop down the coast to Greystones last Monday and got 1 point. All four Vets teams were in action on Thursday last. Vets 1 picked up 3 points away to Leinster, Whilst in Leinster the team came across Jimmy Rabbitte (Snr) aka the actor, Colm Meaney, who was using the nearby hall for rehearsing his forthcoming play where he co-stars with his daughter. Vets 2 picked up 4 points in a big win at to home to St.James Gate. Vets 3 were defeated by North Kildare in a thriller but still remain top of the league. Vets 4 took 3 points from Ierne to stay in the hunt for honours. Saturday saw Division 1 travel to Trim where the Royals of Meath proved too strong. Division 2 (Saturday) picked up 5 points at home to St.James Gate and remain in second place. They are having an outstanding season.
This week sees Division 2 (Wednesday) play host to Skerries. Division 6 are at home to Blackrock on the same evening. Thursday sees all Vets teams take to the rink with Vets 1 at home to Greenhills, Vets 2 travel to Drumcondra to face Ierne, Vets 3 and Vets 4 take the N4 to Lucan when both face Westmanstown. Next Saturday has Division 1 at home to Leinster, Division 2 away in Sandymount to Railway Union and Division 5 away in Crumlin. On Monday 10th July Division 4 head to Dun Laoghaire.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 28/06/23
A mixed bag this week as a number of leagues reached the halfway point. On Monday last Division 4 travelled to Sportslink where they brought home 2 points. They sit in second place in the league behind near neighbours Greystones who have a healthy lead. Next Monday has them play at home to Kenilworth. Division 2 (Wednesday) travelled to Clontarf and, like Brian Boru, they found it tough going and returned with 2 points. They are still top of the table with 8 games left and are at home to Skerries today (Wednesday). Keep it up and promotion can be achieved. Division 6 travelled to Westmanstown last week and in a tremendous display they got 3.5 pts to sit in third place with 4 games remaining. They have a bye this week so enjoy the rest, gang.
Thursday is Vets Day and is a 22 match league so there are 2 games left in the first half of the season. As things stand Vets 1, after a slow start, are building up momentum and climbing the table. They defeated Herbert Park last week and travel to Leinster this week. Vets 2 are having a tough time and lost last week away in Blackrock and they host St. James's Gate this week. Vets 3 had an important win away in Dun Laoghaire and they lead their league at the moment. They are at home to North Kildare 'A' this week. Vets 4 are challenging in their division but suffered a setback in Clontarf last week. This week they are at home to Ierne.
On Saturday last Division 1 returned home pointless from Blackrock. This week sees them make the long trek to Trim to take on the Royals of Meath. Division 2 (Saturday) continued their rich vein of form with a good win at home to Ierne. They currently lie second in the league at the halfway point. This week they host St. James's Gate. Division 5 were in Greenhills and the locals were too good on the day. This week sees them play CYM at home.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 21/06/23
The week started on a sombre note with the death last Sunday of Michael O'Brien, one of our leading members and a Trustee of the club. Michael was laid to rest on Friday last. RIP Michael. On a more positive note Division 4 recorded a comprehensive victory at home to Bank of Ireland last Monday. The highlight of the night was the rink of John Gilliland, Ger Hollingsworth, Liam Collins and Bob Neilson scoring an 8 on the 7th end. This was the second 8 recorded by a Bray team this season following on from John Reynolds, Bryon Dancer Roddy O'Leary and John Browne in a recent Division 2 (Saturday) game against Skerries. Hotshots abound in sunny Bray!!
Our Division 2 (Wednesday) team got 5 points at home to Greystones to earn the south-east bragging rights and they maintain their impressive form. On the same night the Division 6 team got 1 point at home to Aer Lingus, only losing the overall by 1 shot. Thursday saw 3 of our Vets teams in action with mixed results. Vets 2 travelled to Westmanstown and returned pointless. Vets 3 made the long journey (135 km return) to fellow seasiders, Skerries, and in the shadow of the famous windmills, came home with 4 points. Vets 4 were in leafy Blackrock and unfortunately nothing went their way. We had a very successful Saturday with Division 5 defeating Greystones at home to maintain their recent good run. Our Division 1 team hit the N4 to Westmanstown and returned with 5 points and Division 2 (Saturday) bagged 6 points at home to Greenhills to remain very much in the running for honours. On Sunday our Shott Cup team also travelled to Westmanstown and just came up short. Unfortunately our Division 1 team had to concede a walkover to Crumlin as they were unable to field a team for their Open Cup game on the same day.
This Wednesday sees Division 2 (Wednesday) travel to do battle in Clontarf, Division 6 head to Westmanstown on the same night. Thursday sees Vets 1 play host to Herbert Park. Vets 2, 3 and 4 take the road to Blackrock, Dun Laoghaire and Clontarf respectively. Saturday has Division 1 in Blackrock, Division 2 (Saturday) at home to Ierne and Division 5 head to the foothills of the Dublin mountains to take on Greenhills. On Monday, 3rd July, Division 4 are at home to Kenilworth. As the middle of the season approaches we will have a mid-term report next week.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 14/06/23
The bowls just keep on rolling along as we approach mid-summer's day. Last Monday our Division 4 team were in Blackrock and like Spencer Tracey they had a bad day and took home 1 point. On Wednesday last Division 2 ( Wednesday) made the long trek to Westmanstown where they found the locals in scintillating form and Bray returned pointless. On the same night Division 6 braved the East Link traffic to travel to Ierne where they got 0.5 points. Thursday brought some cheer as Vets 1, 3 and 4 were at home to Westmanstown, Greystones and Shankill respectively and all of them had good victories and secured the maximum points on offer. Vets 2 made the the long journey to Skerries and, in the shadow of the windmills, they came a-cropper. Saturday saw Division 1 host CYM 'A' and the big hitters from Terenure proved too good and Bray got 1.5 points. Division 2 (Saturday) were away in Crumlin and the league leaders were too powerful for Bray who returned with 1 point. On the same day Division 5 (the one-rink wonders) had a great win away to Leinster.
This Wednesday, 14th June, sees Division 2 (Wednesday) host near neighbours Greystones in the battle for Wicklow bragging rights. On the same night Division 6 play host to the high flying Aer Lingus. Thursday is Vets Day with Vets 1 having a rest day. Vets 2 are heading to Westmanstown, Vets 3 to Skerries and Vets 4 to Blackrock. Next Saturday sees Division 1 in Westmanstown and Division 5 are at home to Greystones. Sunday 18th sees action in the Open Cup with Division 1 having a tricky trip to Crumlin. In the Shott Cup, where Bray are the defending champions, they travel to Westmanstown. Next Monday sees Division 4 having to brave the evening traffic to make the trip to Santry to take on Sportslink.
Once again we had members in action in the various ILBA Competitions and honorable mention goes to Alan Hopkins and Will McKeon who played host to two wily old campaigners from Cork who, despite having journeyed from the Rebel County, proved too strong for the Bray lads. Finally, anyone wishing to enter any of the internal club competitions for 2023 must get their entry form in by 7pm on Thursday 15th June.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 07/06/23
No rest for the wicked this week as we had wall-to-wall bowls and will continue to do so for the next few weeks. Division 4 kicked the week off on Monday with a trip to Westmanstown and they brought home 3 points following a drawn match. On Tuesday our Division 1 (Saturday) team travelled to Crumlin to take on the star-studded Crumlin team who proved their class with a comprehensive win. Our Division 2 Wednesday team continued their impressive start to the season with a good home win against CYM to remain top of the table. Also on Wednesday our Division 6 team travelled to North Kildare and returned victorious and now top the table. All 4 Vets teams saw action on Thursday with Vets 1 taking three points off Clontarf at home, Vets 2 tasted defeat away to Westmanstown, Vets 3 hit the N4 to North Kildare and in a tight match took all 4 points on offer. Finally, Vets 4 took 3 points back from Crumlin winning the overall by one shot. Saturday saw our 1 rink Division 6 team record a good win at home to Blackrock.
On the same day our Division 1(Saturday) team were in IBA Cup action away to Donaghadee from Co. Down. An early morning convoy left Bray with the Kris Kristofferson hit playing in the background (ie that is " Convoy " for the uninitiated!!) to travel to the land of the Mourne's. For the first time in this competition Bray had ladies playing. Well done to Terri McKeon and Bernie Tracey. The locals whose green is located just metres from the sea proved too strong on the day. Bray would like to record their appreciation to Donaghadee for the wonderful hospitality proved before and after the game. It was wonderful to see so many young bowlers on the home team and also the performance of Cameron Gaw the British Isles Under-25 champion and Irish International was a joy to behold.
This Wednesday sees our Division 2 (Wednesday) travel to take on Westmanstown. On the same night Division 6 travel to Drumcondra to take on Ierne. Thursday 8th June sees Vets 1 at home to Westmanstown, Vets 2 travel to North Co. Dublin to take on Skerries, Vets 3 are at home to near neighbours Greystones and Vets 4 are at home to Shankill. On Saturday 9th June is our Division 1 (Saturday) are at home to CYM 'A' and Division 2 (Saturday) are away to Crumlin in a top of the table clash. Finally, next Monday our Division 4 crew are at home to Bank of Ireland. The ILBA Championships are still in full swing with notable performances coming from Liam Collins, John Gilliland and Ciaran O'Brien. To all those teams currently topping their respective leagues - remember, it is a marathon and not a sprint !!
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 31/05/23
Things are hotting up on the playing front with non-stop action last week. Our Division 4 team saw action on the double in the week just gone. They defeated Crumlin on Monday night in Bray taking 6 points. On Wednesday evening they travelled to CYM to take on the team from Terenure and found the grass not to their liking and came home with 1 point. They remain top of the table from near neighbours, Greystones. Also on Wednesday our Division 2 Wednesday team made the short journey to the foothills of the Dublin mountains to take on Dun Laoghaire Golf Club and were very satisfied with their haul of 5.5 points to leave them sitting pretty at the top of the table. Thursday is Vets Day with all 4 of our teams strutting their stuff. Vets 1 travelled to Trim to take on Meath who proved too strong on the day. Vets 2 were narrowly beaten at home by Shankill. Both Vets 3 and 4 had home victories over Greenhills and North Kildare respectively. Both are challenging at the top of the table at the moment. Our Division 2 Saturday team had an excellent victory at home to Skerries and their return of 6.5 points sees them move up to second place in the table behind Crumlin. On the same day our Division 5 team shared the spoils at home to Westmanstown.
This week sees Division 2 Wednesday host CYM and Division 6 travel to North Kildare. The Vets teams are all in action on Thursday with Vets 1 at home to Clontarf, Vets 2 ,3 and 4 hit the road to Westmanstown, North Kildare and Crumlin respectively. Our Division 1 Saturday team are in IBA Cup action when they make the long trek to Donaghadee in Co. Down. On the same day Division 6 are at home to Blackrock. On Tuesday, 6th June, Division 4 travel to take on Blackrock. As you can see there is plenty of bowls being played.
There was also plenty of action in the ILBA Championships during the week and, with the finals in Bray this year, the club are making a concerted effort to have some representation in the finals week. More details in future weeks but honourable mention to the trio of John Gilliland, Alan Hopkins and Will McKeon who travelled to Dungarvan, Co Waterford to play in a Triples match and were agonisingly defeated on the last end.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 24/05/23
In the week gone by our (mostly) ladies' teams hosted two Crumlin sides in Bray. In Division 2 the home side got all six points whilst, on Saturday morning, the result was a draw. Rory Neilus did well in this, his first competitive game. On Wednesday our Division 6 outfit had a splendid win away at Blackrock where the going was faster than expected. A total of three points out of a possible 16 were all our vets sides could manage the next day. Teams from Dun Laoghaire did most of the damage with Blackrock doing the rest. However Saturday made up for that when our senior men's teams both took 6.5 points out of 7. Helped by the ladies' Captain, Terri McKeon, the A team defeated visitors, Kenilworth, while the B team were even more impressive with an away win at Westmanstown.
In the ILB O'Leary Cup, for the over-55s, Wally Doyle's rink used their home advantage to knock out Tommy Byrne's foursome from St James's Gate. In the senior fours Marcus Donohoe's lads put together a great team effort to secure a win against Tony Kelly's side in Walkinstown. We had some fallers in other competitions but it was all invaluable experience for them.
Today (Wednesday 24th) Bray's Division 2 ladies make the short trip to Enniskerry to play Dun Laoghaire Golf Club. Our Division 6 team would be playing Kenilworth on the same day if the latter hadn't withdrawn from the league. On Thursday Vets 2,3 and 4 are all at home and play Shankill, Greenhills and North Kildare. Vets 1 meanwhile take the high road to Trim, Co Meath, for a tough away fixture. Saturday morning sees our junior ladies host Westmanstown while later in the day, the Division 2 men brace themselves for the visit of the Skerries first team. The Division 1 match against Crumlin in Dublin 12 has been moved to Tuesday evening. The evening before, Bray's Division 4 side will try their luck at Westmanstown. Good luck to all.
Patrick Brosnan, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 17/05/23
Two of the Bray men's teams, in Division 2 and 4, enjoyed home victories over Dun Laoghaire last week. The Borough took its revenge in Division 1 however, winning 5-2 on their own green. The ladies of Division 2 had a good day out at Herbert Park on Wednesday when they took home all the points. Their Division 5 side lost at CYM. On Thursday morning in the vets league all six Bray rinks were in use as three home teams hosted three teams from CYM. Two of the home sides won but Vets 2 lost their game by a single shot. Vets 1 also played CYM, in Terenure, and came home rain-soaked but victorious.
With the IBL championship finals taking place in Bray this year, the club has many members having a go. Some went out this week but plenty got through. The junior singles saw home wins for Alan Hopkins, John McGrath and Liam Collins. Will McKeon went out to North Kildare's superb Greg Burns whom some feel would be more at home in the senior competition. In the junior pairs Liam Collins and Ciaran O'Brien beat their visitors from Shankill. Niall Shelley was our only senior singles victor when he saw off Ultan Daly of Railway Union. The mixed pairs saw a notable away win for Chris Fenton and Theresa Martin against Greystones' R.Bernie and M.Williams. Tommy Cahill and Mark Hughes pulled off perhaps the result of the week, in the senior pairs at Blackrock. Seemingly dead and buried at 14-2 down, they gambled on short jacks to mount a furious comeback and take the tie. Thanks to all the members who attended the games, home and away.
This week sees both our (majority) ladies' teams entertain Crumlin in Bray with Division 2 playing on Wednesday afternoon and Division 5 on Saturday morning. Wednesday evening has our Division 6 men away at Blackrock. Thursday is vets day but only Vets 1 are at home, against Dun Laoghaire. Vets 2 and 4 are away to the same club while Vets 3 travel to Blackrock for their fun. On Saturday afternoon the Division 1 men welcome Kenilworth to Bray while the second team faces a challenging trip to Westmanstown. The following Monday evening the Division 4 side play host to Crumlin.
Patrick Brosnan, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 10/05/23
The week started on a positive note with Division 4 taking all six points home from Kenilworth last Monday. On Wednesday our Division 2 team were defeated at home by near neighbours Shankill. On the same night Division 6 got 1 point at home to Westmanstown and only missed the overall by 2 shots. Three of our Vets teams saw action last Thursday. Vets 2 were away in Kenilworth and got 3 points. Vets 3 got 3.5 points away to Sportslink and Vets 4 made the long journey to Trim to play Meath and brought back all 4 points. Saturday saw our Division 5 team all ready to play Greenhills at home but the visitors failed to show. Our Saturday Division 2 team travelled to Dublin 3 to play Clontarf and got a hard earned point.
This week sees our Division 2 Wednesday team head to leafy Dublin 4 to play Herbert Park. Thursday sees all our Vets teams in action with all playing CYM. Vets 1 are away in Terenure and Vets 2,3 and 4 are all at home. On Saturday 13th, Division 5 Saturday travel to CYM, Division 1 head to Dun Laoghaire and Division 2 are to home to the team from the borough. Next Monday sees Division 4 hit the road to CYM.
In the midst of all the team action we have also had plenty of play in the ILBA Championships with victories for John Gilliland and Alan Hopkins in the Nassau Singles and Marcus Donohoe and John Cheevers in the Senior Pairs competition. There is lots of action this week as well with Peter Gough, Mark Hughes and Niall Shelley in Marper Cup action in Bray tonight (Wednesday). All support would be greatly appreciated.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 03/05/23
Action all the way in the last week. Division 4 made their seasonal bow last Monday and claimed Garden County bragging rights with a home win against Greystones. Michael Egleston and his magnetic bowls were outstanding in a 5/1 win. Wednesday saw Division 2 travel to Skerries and the long journey proved fruitful when they brought home 5 points to proudly sit at the top of the table at this early stage. On the same night Division 6 were in Aer Lingus and found the locals too hot to handle. Thursday saw 3 of our Vets teams take to the rink with Vets 1 bringing 1 point home from Crumlin. Both Vets 3 and 4 were in home action against Crumlin and Westmanstown and both claimed victories by 4/0 and 3/1 respectively. Saturday morning saw our 1 rink Division 5 make the short hop down the coast to Greystones where the locals had too much experience for them. On the same afternoon our Division 1 team brought 2 points back from Leinster and Division 2 got an impressive 5 points at home to Railway Union to maintain their impressive start. The week also saw some of our bowlers in action in the ILBA Championships with Niall Shelley scoring a good win at home to the wily old campaigner, Frank McCarthty from CYM. Chris Fenton drew a blank against Gareth Pierpoint from CYM. All competitors in the ILBA Competitions are reminded to take note of the draws and if you cannot play it is common courtesy to advise your opposition.
This week sees plenty of action with Division 2 Wednesday hosting Shankill, Division 6 hosting Westmanstown on Wednesday night. Thursday has 3 Vets teams playing with Vets 2 away to Kenilworth, Vets 3 away to Sportslink and Vets 4 travelling to Trim to take on the Royals from Meath. Saturday, 6th May, has our 1 rink team at home to Greenhills in the morning. In the afternoon Division 1 are at home to CYM 'B' and Division 2 travel away to do battle with Clontarf. On Monday, 8th May, our Division 4 team are at home to Dun Laoghaire. It should be noted that, with effect from last Monday, all evening matches will commence at 6.30pm up until the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 19/04/23
Our Division 2 Wednesday team had the honour of being the first Bray team in action in the summer season and they defeated Clontarf by 5 points to 1. Saturday morning last saw monsoon conditions and our Saturday morning 1-rink team saw their fixture against Leinster fall foul of the weather. The Division 2 Saturday team travelled to St. James's Gate and came home thoroughly soaked but with 4.5 points in the bag. Our Division 1 Saturday team had a convincing victory by 6 points to 1 over Meath. Special mention goes to Mark Hughes who travelled up from Galway to play the game and then headed back west immediately after the match.
The action continues apace this week with the Division 2 Wednesday team heading to North County Dublin to take on Skerries. On the same night our Division 6 team travel to ALSAA to lock horns with Aer Lingus on their notoriously tough rink. Thursday morning sèes the Vets make their seasonal debut as Vets 1 travel to Crumlin, Vets 2 have a free day, Vets 3 are at home to Crumlin and Vets 4 are at home to Westmanstown. This coming Saturday sees Division 1 travel to Rathmines to take on Leinster, Division 2 are at home to Railway Union and our 1-rink team make the short trek to Greystones. On Tuesday, 2nd May, Division 4 are away to Kenilworth. As you can see it is wall-to-wall action.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News - Wed 19/04/23
The sparring is over and the summer leagues all kick off this week and the honour of being the first Bray team in action goes to our Wednesday Division 2 team who host Clontarf today (19th). Best of luck to Captain Terri McKeon and her panel. On Saturday we have three teams in action with our Ladies Division 5 Saturday team playing host to Leinster in the morning before our Division 1 team host Meath. The Royals will travel with confidence having won Division 2 last year. On the same day our Division 2 team head to the Iveagh Grounds to take on the old aristocrats, St. James's Gate. On Monday 24th our Division 4 team play host to near neighbours, Greystones. Bragging rights are at stake in this one. Best of luck to all bowlers for the season ahead and remember to treat your teammates and opponents with respect and dignity.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News 10/04/23
Saturday last saw the club host the unfurling of the Irish Lawn Bowls Association flag for 2023. Bray holds the Presidency for 2023 and it is a great honour to hold the Presidency in the first year of the ILBA. Tremendous credit must go to the army of volunteers who had everything in pristine condition for the unfurling ceremony, from the immaculately cut hedges to the newly-painted seats and picnic tables. Following the unfurling, a friendly game of bowls took place between a Bray selection and an ILBA selection. A celebratory dinner followed in Bray Golf Club. All thoughts now turn to the start of the summer season on 22nd April of which more next week.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News 03/04/23
Another quiet week on the rink. We had the final session of the Wednesday League and Brendan Duffy was confirmed as the winner. Well done to Brendan and thanks to both Eddie and Phyllis for their usual top-class organising skills. The participation level was down on previous years which was somewhat disappointing. The prizes were presented last Friday night and those prize winners who were unable to attend should contact the organisers. The weather was the big winner on Saturday last when a friendly match between Bray and CYM bit the dust due to various downpours during the day.
Next Saturday, 8th April, is a big day for the club with the unfurling of the ILBA flag at 2pm. Bray holds the Presidency of the ILBA for 2023 and we wish our own Frank Devlin all the best for the year as he assumes the role.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News 27/03/23
In preparation for the upcoming unfurling of the Irish Lawn Bowls Association flag in Bray on 8th April, a merry band of painters turned up last Wednesday and Thursday to give a lick of paint to all the seats surrounding the rink and also to the tables on the patio. A great job was done by all and Marcus Donohoe was the organiser-in-chief. I am told all are available for hall, stairs and landing jobs !! This Wednesday sees the last day of the Wednesday League and Brendan Duffy and Ann Downhams are the two to catch. The prizes will be presented on Friday night, 31st March. All are welcome to attend. Now that the clock has sprung forward all thoughts are turning to the Summer leagues and the deliberations of the various selectors are awaited in relation to the make-up of the various teams and registered players. Finally, we offer our congratulations to CYM 'A' on winning the Winter League. I am sure they are hoping that a successful Summer season will follow.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News 20/03/23
You have all heard no doubt of the Secret Seven, the Seven Samurai and the Magnificent Seven. Well, you can now add the Monsoon Seven. Yes, last Wednesday in the midst of a downpour, seven bowlers who shall be nameless took to the rink in pursuit of points in the Wednesday League. Following the madness Brendan Duffy now leads the pack with one week to go. The lengths people will go to for an Easter egg!! The presentation of prizes has been arranged for Friday 31st March. The club is gearing up for the Presidency of the ILBA and our President, John Dunne, is organising a painting day soon when the seats and outdoor tables will get a make over. More information to follow. The days are lengthening and some bowlers are coming out of hibernation following their winter break. Welcome back all !! Finally a big thanks to those bowlers from Greystones who joined us for the Winter and to say that hopefully we will see you all again in October.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News 13/03/23
A very quiet week on all fronts. Roll ups were the order of the week. The Men's Captain Dave McMahon was seen circling the green checking on the talent as the date for registering players and squads approaches. A new broom may well herald a new era and with some new additions the coming season may prove fruitful. The various BLI groupings have been out practising and with the finals in Bray this year the lads are determined to do their utmost to have some home representation. Friday saw snow on the rink but not enough to have Frosty play as lead. Saturday saw a deluge and most bowlers stayed inside but we had two intrepid bowlers who shall be nameless take to the rink. Me thinks they were waiting for Noah to come along and whisk them away.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News 06/03/23
The Bray adventure in the Winter League came to an end last Saturday in Sportslink when Bray 'B' went down 50/36 to Leinster Lions 'A' in the quarter final. Bray fought the brave fight and led for much of the game but came up short in the end. Bernie Tracey led her rink to a great victory and John Gilliland also impressed on his rink. The team would like to thank all the supporters who made the long trek to the north side of Dublin. Last Thursday saw a great crowd turn up to clean and spray the ditches. Our President John Dunne was a man possessed with the powerhose in his hand. A huge big thanks to Theresa Martin who fed the masses with soup and sandwiches.
The Wednesday League is now nearing the finishing line and after last week we have Ann Downhams and Margaret Williams separated by 1 point. This is going all the way folks and there are some others who, with a kind draw and lady luck, could scoop the top prize. Finally, last Saturday both the BLI and LBLI met in separate but simultaneous meetings to vote on a proposed merger and in an historic day for Irish bowling both organisations passed the motion. This is without doubt a momentous decision and watch this space for further details.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News 27/02/23
Another quiet week on the rink this week. Our Greystones members are still turning up in great numbers every Monday afternoon and we have gotten excellent feedback from them. Thanks to Fergus O'Brien for all his efforts and organisational skills here. The finishing line is in sight now for the Wednesday League. There are 5 weeks to go and the top of the leaderboard is like the M50 on a Friday evening - crowded. 5 points separate the top 7. Currently Ann Downhams on 68 points leads Margaret Williams by 2 points. Terri McKeon, Liz Mc Carthty, Brendan Duffy, Fergus O'Brien and Richard Birney are close behind.
Volunteers are required on Thursday morning to clean out the ditches and power wash the mats. Be there for 9.30 am suitably attired. The quarter-final of the Winter League is on this Saturday in Sportslink with Bray 'B' taking on the star-studded Leinster Lions 'A'. Best of luck to the team and all of Bray is rooting for you. This Saturday also sees two very important meetings taking place with both the BLI and LBLI meeting to vote on the proposed merger of both organisations to form the Irish Lawn Bowling Association.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News 20/02/23
A very quiet week on the rink this week. There was no competitive team action as all group games in the Winter League have been completed. Bray 'B' qualified from their group and in the quarter-final draw Bray were paired against Leinster Lions 'A'. The game will take place in Sportslink in Santry on Saturday, 4th March. Our representative in the Champion of Champions Niall Shelley came a cropper in the quarter final against Darren Richards from CYM. Niall made a slow start and despite a great fightback he went down 14/18. Better luck in the summer version, Niall. The rollups continue apace this week and thanks again to our Winter members from Greystones who are great supporters.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News 13/02/23
This week saw the Wednesday League continue with sun-drenched weather. The top of the table is populated by our Winter members from Greystones who this year are determined to bring the top prizes down the coast. Saturday saw the last of the group matches in the Winter League take place and both Bray 'B' and 'C' were in home action against Blackrock 'B' and Dun Loaghaire 'C' respectively. Our 'B' team needed a big win to secure one of the best runner up spots in order to progress to the quarter-final stage. Blackrock were very competitive on the day with Maurice Treacy's rink defeating Tommy Cahill's rink with the last bowl to secure a point for the visitors. The BLI Secretary Charlie Lynch from Blackrock gave an heroic display on his rink but ultimately fell short. The home team, with 4 points, should make it through. Bray 'C' defeated Dun Laoghaire 5/0 to finish their campaign on a high. All rinks were on form on the day with Mark Hughes particularly impressive.
This week also sees Niall Shelley in quarter-final action in the Champion of Champions when he travels to Leinster to face Darren Richards of CYM. Best of luck to Niall. We have no more competitive action until 4th March when the quarter-finals of the Winter League are scheduled to take place.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News 06/02/23
A busy week on the rink this week but a poor return on the results front. Bray 'A' finished their Winter League campaign with a home defeat to Leinster 'A' and finished in third place in their section. Eamonn Kennedy's rink got Bray's only point. Bray 'C' were in action on the double over the weekend. On Saturday they were up against a strong Blackrock team who left Bray with 4 points. Brendan Duffy and his rink got the home team's only point. On Sunday Bray were away to Leinster Lions who use Bray as their home ground. The Lions roared on the day and took all 5 points on offer. Bray 'C' finish their campaign next Saturday at home to Dun Laoghaire. Bray 'B' are at home to Blackrock where a 5 point victory should see them qualify for the quarter finals as one of the best second placed teams. No pressure so !!
The Wednesday League is continuing and a big thank you to John Keegan from Greystones for baking some lovely cakes last week. You are always welcome John! This week also saw two of our members, Dick Fowler and Aidan King, make their long awaited return to the rink after long-term illness. Welcome back lads. Also our Men's Captain, Dave McMahon, has returned home along with his new knee. Remember, Dave, do your rehab and we will see you soon.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News 30/01/23
A mixed day at the office last Saturday as all 3 Bray teams were in action in the Winter League. Team 'A' travelled to Kenilworth and brought home 1 point. They lost the overall by 1 shot. The defeat means that they are chasing one of the best runner-up spots in order to advance to the quarter-finals. Team 'B' travelled to Leinster to take on CYM 'A' and in damp conditions they defeated the section winners 4/1 and. with one game to play. they are in a strong position to claim a best runner-up spot. Both Tommy Cahill and Alan Rath skipped their rinks to victory. Team 'C' were at home to Leinster Lions and got 2 points. They have 3 games left and they are nicely positioned in mid-table.
This Saturday sees Team 'A' host Leinster 'A' in a must-win game. Team 'B' have a rest day. Team 'C' are in action on the double this weekend as they host Blackrock on Saturday and on Sunday they are away to Leinster Lions. As Leinster Lions use Bray as their home rink Bray don't have far to travel !! Our representative in the Champion-of-Champions, Niall Shelley, had a very good 18/5 win over Will Tormey from Sportslink to advance to the quarter-finals where he will face Darren Richards from CYM.
Frank Devlin, Bray Bowling Club.
Bray Bowling News 23/01/23
In the week that Jack Frost visited and, let it be said he outstayed his welcome, the rink was closed until Saturday last. Bray 'A' hosted Herbert Park in the All Weather Bowling League and they bagged 4 points to maintain their grip on second place in Section 'A'. Well done to Elizabeth Eager and Sally Ryan both of whom made impressive debuts for the home side.
Next Saturday sees the team travel to Kenilworth hoping to maintain their push to reach the knockout stages. Bray 'B' travel to face the big hitters from CYM 'A' where a win would boost their chances of advancing to the next stage. Bray 'C' host Leinster Lions 'A' in what will be a good test for the home team. The Wednesday League is back up and running and all are welcome to come and play. The league will run through until mid March and as usual the prizes on offer are second to none !!
Frank Devlin
Bray Bowling News 16/01/23
A convoy of cars left Bray last Saturday all bound for Rathmines where the 3 Bray All Weather Bowling League teams were in action. Bray 'A' and Bray 'C ' headed to Leinster and Bray 'B' to Kenilworth. All in all it was a successful expedition as Bray 'A' took all 5 points home against Leinster 'A'. Bray 'B ' got 2 points against Kenilworth 'B' and Bray 'C' got 3 points against Leinster 'B'. Both our 'A' and 'B' squads are still in there with a fighting chance of making the knock-out stages. This coming Saturday sees the 'A' team play host to Herbert Park and they will be looking to keep the momentum going. The other 2 squads have a rest day.
Our representative in the Champion-of-Champions competition, Niall Shelley, plays his first round match on Tuesday at home to Willie Tormey of Sportslink. Best of luck to him. There is quite a large number of medals still to be collected from the recent presentation. Contact Owen Byrne who says he will melt them all down soon if not collected! You have been warned! Finally well done to the 15 souls who braved tough conditions to play in the Wednesday League last week. They had dried out by Friday!
Frank Devlin
Bray Bowling News 09/01/23
The Christmas lights have been taken down and the last of the pudding eaten so the bowlers are back in action. Bray Bowling Club celebrated Nollaig na Mban with the presentation of medals won in 2022. A good crowd turned up as medals were presented to the winners of the Shott Cup, Division 5, Vets 1 and 3. Well done to President John Dunne (complete with chain of office) and Honorary Secretary Niall Shelley for doing the honours. A special thank you to the photographer from the Bray People for coming along on the night.
Saturday saw two of our teams take to the rink in the All Weather Bowling League with contrasting results. Bray 'A' travelled to Greenhills and got 1 point. Eamonn Kennedy's rink were very unlucky in their match when the opposition skipper saved 3 shots with the very last bowl of the match. Bray 'B' hosted Greenhills 'B' and they took all 5 points on offer to climb to second spot in their section. This coming Saturday sees all 3 teams in action with all 3 travelling to Dublin 6. Both Bray 'A' and Bray 'C' travel to Rathmines to take on Leinster 'A' and 'C' respectively. Bray 'B' travel to Kenilworth to lock horns with the locals. Don't forget the Wednesday League is back and will run to the end of March.
Frank Devlin