History

A Brief History of Bray Bowling Club

Late 50s
Bray Enterprise Ltd (BEL) is formed by a group of local businessmen. The company buy Barry's Field near the sea front and create Failte Games Park, a recreational area for the paying public. Among the attractions is an outdoor bowling green.
1965
Bray Bowling Club is founded on the 26th of February, 1965. It is a subsidiary of The Suburban Club (of Bray) from which it receives financial and administrative support. Terms and conditions are worked out with the manager of the games park, Gordon Dobson. The club must share their green with members of the public. Con Sargeant and Bill Drysdale bring their bowling experience to the club. The latter is elected the first club captain. The Bowling League of Ireland (BLI) Greens Committee are not happy with the condition of the green and rule out any competitive matches on it. Friendlies against other clubs however do go ahead. There is a ladies' section as well as a men's but the girls have to be off the green by 6 o'clock - evenings are for men only.
1966
Bray start off their competitive play in the men's Junior League (three rinks). As the green will not be ready for the season's start the club arrange to play their home games temporarily at Knockrabo in Goatstown and later on at other clubs. Bray's first league match ever is against St Brendan's of Grangegorman and their second, with St Itas of Portrane. Bray's first cup match is a three-rink affair in the Shott Cup against Blackrock at Herbert Park. Gordon Dobson refurbishes the Bray green using turf from the greens of the old Rathfarnham Golf Club. By July it is ready for competitive play. Bill Drysdale, son David and a P.Byrne win the club's first silverware, the BLI Junior Trips.
1967
The manager of Failte Games Park, Gordon Dobson, has failed to make a success of the job and quits. The condition of the green is still quite imperfect leading to complaints from landlord, BEL, that the club is not paying enough towards its maintenance. Mrs P.Hyland is elected the first ever ladies' captain. Bill and David Drysdale disappoint members by leaving for Blackrock.
1968
Bray men win the Junior League (now Division 4) and gain promotion to the Intermediate League. One William McGarry becomes the new manager of Failte Games Park.
1969
The condition of the bowling green is still mediocre and club members have no choice but to become more involved with its maintenance. Their cause is helped in no small way by new member, Paddy Dempsey, professor of horticulture at UCD. The men's team enjoys its first season in the Intermediate League though sometimes outsiders are drafted in to make up a full team. The ladies section initiates a weekly fund-raising rollup known as the "Waterford Glass" competition (named after the winner's prize). It will prove to be long-lived and very popular. The club's executive committee enter into talks with Bord Failte and BEL with a view to taking ownership of the green.

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1970
The bowling club takes responsibility for the green for a one-year trial period and will keep the revenue from members of the public who turn up to bowl. A green-keeper, Mr Booth, is employed to help with its maintainance. A six-rink scoreboard is presented to the club by member, Arthur Cox, and attached to the west wall. The Shott Cup draw sends the team to Cork for the first time. A greens committee - of Herbie Close, Paddy Dempsey and Arthur Cox - is formed to manage the playing surface. At the club AGM it is decided to enter into an agreement with BEL for a five year lease of the bowling green @ £200 p.a. plus payment of one third of the municipal rates on Failte Games Park. Tommy Cahill becomes a member. His talent and enthusiasm keep him at the top level of the club right up until today, half a century later.
1971
Twenty tons of topsoil, as well as sand and fertiliser, are applied to the green. Fund-raisers are needed from time-to-time to supplement regular income. Ex-Bray Wanderers goalkeeper, Shay Ryan, joins the club. Like Tommy he will play at the top level for decades to come.
1972
The club share revenues from the putting green, crazy golf and café with the new manager, an M. Quinn. In return the members help maintain these areas. The men look after the facilities while the ladies handle the catering on match days. Hugh Hipwell, club president since its foundation, passes away to be replaced by Victor Cassoni.
1973-77
Although the exact year is not known, the Bray ladies join the Ladies' Bowling League of Ireland (LBLI) Junior League which consists of 2 rinks (8 players). Meanwhile the Bray men have begun their Northern Irish adventures competing in the Irish Bowling Association (IBA) Cup. The International Hotel, venue for the club's annual dinner dance, is destroyed by fire in 1974. Around the middle of the decade Failte Park closes down for a period, only the bowling club keeps going. With Paddy Dempsey in charge, the Bray green-keepers (including Shay Ryan) now preside over an immaculate playing surface.
1978-79
In 1978 Johnny Spollen wins the BLI Junior Singles Cup beating three Bray players en-route. A highly indebted BEL try to offload Failte Park by seeking planning permission for a residential development but without success. The decade ends with the winning of the BLI Junior Cup Trips by Paddy Dempsey, Richard Neilson and Leslie Hunter.

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1980
Bray have their first success in the BLI Junior Pairs, courtesy of those hard working greenkeepers, Paddy Dempsey and Shay Ryan. The club goes on tour for the first time, to South Wales. The group also includes bowlers from Herbert Park, Dun Laoghaire and Blackrock.
1981
Bray men's application to join the Senior League (then three rinks) is accepted. Bray's longest serving lady member, Fran Neilson, joins the club. Walter "Wally" Doyle also becomes a member and is destined for a glittering career in the game. Both are still at the club though Wally has spent a period with Aer Lingus.
1982
Roddy and Pam O'Leary join the club from Blackrock around this time. Pam is already an LBLI Senior League champion and Roddy will contribute much to his new club, both on and off the green. Bray have enough men to field a second team which competes in the Junior League. They win the Shott Cup for the first time.
1983
Bray ladies win their first silverware when Phyllis Nolan and Fran Neilson triumph in the Kennedy Pairs competition (held at Blackrock BC). The Bray men have the personnel to field three teams, one in each league – senior, intermediate and junior. Bray win the BLI Junior Fours for the first time but in a tragic manner. Towards the end, skip, Johnny Spollen falls to the ground, victim of a fatal heart-attack. Crumlin, who had been leading, graciously concede victory to Bray. First team regular and the club's current auditor, Eddie O'Connor, becomes a member. Roddy O'Leary organises an Indoor Bowling Section. They play at the Loughlinstown Leisure Centre on Saturday nights on 3/4 length mats.
1984
BEL is eventually wound up and ownership of Failte Park transfers to Bray Urban Council. Still the bowling club has to fight hard to stay in existence.
1985
Phyllis Brett joins the club. She is destined to win many trophies and enjoy a long international career. Bray win their second BLI Junior Pairs courtesy of John Nolan and Steve Donoghue. On Paddy Dempsey's passing, Shay Ryan becomes head greenkeeper. Bray hold a double presidency, J.G. Franc at the BLI and Kay Donnelly at the LBLI. The three BLI leagues are reorganised into Divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4. Bray's popular Waterford Glass fund-raiser is moved from Thursday evenings to Sunday afternoons.
1986
Disaster strikes when the Bray men are relegated from Division 1. John Nolan wins Bray's first Under-25 Singles and Charlie Byrne takes the Junior Singles. Wally Doyle begins his two decades of green-keeping. At season's end the club tours Devon in the south of England.
1987
A 12-year-old Blair Somers, the son of two existing members, Les and Sheila, joins the club. The young lad will light up the Irish bowling scene with his talent. The Bray men bounce straight back up by taking the Division 2 league title and also their first Senior Challenge Cup. It is the ladies' turn to suffer when a reduction of the Senior League rinks from 4 to 3 leads to discontent and an exodus of players. No longer able to field a full team, they must drop down to the Junior League.
1988
In Bray's best year of bowling the men win the Division 1 league title under captain, Jimmy Moore. The ladies also gain their greatest achievement, the Junior League title, which they run away with under captain, Pam O'Leary. They get permission to postpone their promotion to the Senior League by a year until they can recruit more players. In the same season they win the Irish Women's Bowling Association (IWBA) National Junior League Championship at Ward Park, Bangor. Blair Somers takes both the Under-25s and BLI Junior Singles cups. It is hardly a surprise when he is handed his first Bowler of the Year award (the only Bray bowler to win this). Peter Whelan, Tom Feeney and Christy McEvoy win the BLI Junior Trips. The exhilirating season is rounded off with a club tour of the Tenby area of South Wales.
1989
Aer Lingus become the first club with an artificial surface to become affiliated to the BLI/LBLI. Phyllis Brett and Pam O'Leary (sub: Sheila Somers) win the LBLI Junior Pairs. Phyllis also wins Blackrock's Kennedy Cup with Marie Byrne. As Bray men are Division 1 champions, the BLI competition finals are held in Failte Park. Shay Ryan hands over responsibility for the green to Peter Whelan.
1980s Miscellaneous
A timer-controlled sprinkler system is installed to enable automatic watering of the green whenever needed. On Monday nights during the Winter, indoor bowling takes place in Fatima House, next to the Carlisle Grounds.

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1990-91
The neglected amenity area adjacent to the club is converted into local authority retirement homes. Blair Somers continues to blaze a trail, winning his second Under-25s Railway Union cup.
1992
The men take the Division 3 (O'D) Cup for the first time, under captain, Eddie O'Connor.
1993
The men's Veterans League ("Vets") is formed this year for bowlers over 60. Bray win it on their first attempt. A wooden viewing hut overlooking the Failte Park green is erected by Abwood Homes. The season finishes with a club tour of mid-Wales.
Early 90s Miscellaneous
Club treasurer, Roddy O Leary, signs a 21-year lease with Bray Council on the green and three-quarters of the pavilion thus properly legalising the club's status. Club popularity peaks and membership has to be capped at 200 including nearly 60 ladies. Competition for places on teams is fierce. Roll-ups are held most evenings in the Summer and are often fully subscribed. Men's and ladies teams travel to the north for cup competitions, coming back with tales of a divided society and militarised environment. Club captain, Roddy O'Leary, does something unheard of when he drops himself from the first team due to a loss of form.
1994
Phyllis Brett makes her international debut for Ireland against Wales, winning the first of her 51 caps. Division 5 is added to the men's leagues to take the excess teams from Division 4. The trophy for the new division is donated by Bray - the Victor Cassoni Memorial Cup. Bray take the Vets title a second time.
1995
The LBLI introduce a new league structure: the Senior League (containing Bray) is renamed Division 1, the Junior Division 1 becomes Division 2 and the Junior Division 2 becomes Division 3. A one-rink Evening League (now Division 4) is also created, catering for working women who cannot play during the day. A joint Bray/Greystones team win it at the first attempt. The club go on a tour of Cumbria in north-west England. Bray win their first BLI Senior Triples cup (Baird). Wally Doyle skips and is ably supported by Tommy Cahill and Tony Murphy. Bray also take the Junior Pairs courtesy of Tommy Murphy and Tom Quinn.
1996
Sheila Somers becomes the first female president of Bray BC and of any club in the republic. The clubhouse undergoes major refurbishment which includes the creation of a club bar. The bowling prizes this year all go to the junior men. Blair Somers wins his third Under-25 Railway Union Cup as well as Young Player of the Year. Charlie Byrne takes his second Junior Singles cup. Bray also win their second Junior Fours with Tommy Murphy, Des O'Toole, Tom Quinn and Seanie Shortt.
Mid-90s Miscellaneous
Members from the club travel to Mayo for a few days of friendly indoor bowling. Ray Price skips a very strong rink on the men's first team. It features Blair Somers at 3rd, Paddy Byrne at 2nd and Shay Ryan playing lead. They are known for not cracking under pressure and other rinks look to them to raise the shot count. Alan Rath joins the club, already knowing some of the members from the indoor bowling at Fatima House. He will, in time, become an accomplished senior skip with an aggressive style. For a number of years, Bray exchange friendly matches with Belfast clubs, Shorts and Shaftesbury. The new club bar is a big hit with members. The Christmas dinner dances are still held at the Esplanade Hotel where the prizes for the year's bowling competitions are handed out.
1997
Phyllis Brett wins the first of her three Champion of Champions trophies in Dun Laoghaire. The Bray men win the Division 3 title and the Division 2 (Crumlin) Cup. Walter Doyle, John Nolan, Tony Murphy and Blair Somers bring the BLI Senior Fours Cup (Sixsmith) to Bray for the first time. Blair also wins another Under-25 Railway Union Cup and his second Bowler of the Year award. Roddy O'Leary becomes the club's BLI representative and will hold the role for a quarter century.
1998
The Bray ladies membership can now support a second team, in Division 3 (Thursdays, 2 rinks). Meanwhile the men have two senior teams playing on Saturdays, in the first and second divisions, and a junior team in Monday evening's fourth division. The Division 1 team finish runners-up to Crumlin. Blair Somers, at just 22, wins Bray's first BLI Senior Singles Cup (Marper). He also makes his first international appearance, helping Ireland beat England in Ayrshire. Roddy O'Leary becomes Bray's second president of the BLI. As a result the BLI finals are held at Failte Park with over 2,000 people attending.
1999
The club falls victim to serial vandals who do alot of damage to the playing surface. Blair Somers wins another Railway Union Cup as well as the IBA Junior Singles. He also helps Tommy Deegan and Brian Walshe win the BLI Senior Trips (Baird). Wally Doyle wins his third Champion of Champions while the vets take their third league title of the nineties.
Late 90s Miscellaneous
The Bray men's first team is very strong at home, with four of the best leads in the BLI: Brian Walshe, Tony Murphy, Christy McEvoy and Willo McEvoy. The ladies too form a strong unit, always finishing in the top half of Division 1. A double dose of weedkiller is mistakenly applied to two of Bray's rinks, almost killing the grass and rendering the rinks unplayable for a couple of months.

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2000
The wooden retaining wall around the green is replaced by one of cement blocks. Blair Somers leaves Bray for Blackrock Bowling Club helping them to win the first division in four out of the following five seasons. The ladies win Bray's first LBLI Senior Trips (Ann Thomas, Marjie O'Leary and Phyllis Brett). The senior BLI Trips comes to Bray once again courtesy of Richard Neilson, Ray and Gavin Rigley. Gavin also wins the Under-25s Railway Union Cup. In the men's Inter-Association Championships Bray have three representatives in the BLI team: Brian Walshe, Tony Murphy and Tommy Deegan (reserve).
2001
Ann Thomas, Marjie O'Leary, Phyllis Brett and Fran Neilson bring the LBLI Senior Fours Cup to the club for the first time. In the men's Inter-Association Championships Bray have four representatives in the BLI team: Brian Walshe, Gavin Rigley, Tom Feeney and Wally Doyle. Paddy Byrne, Shay Ryan and Peter Whelan are made honorary members of the club.
2002
Betty Keogh becomes Bray's second president of the LBLI. Phyllis Brett wins her second Champion of Champions.
2003
Bray Bowling Club sponsor a knockout competition for ladies' senior teams, providing the Bray Open Challenge Cup as the prize. Phyllis Brett achieved another first for herself and the club by winning the LBLI Senior Singles Cup. The club's junior ladies take the Division 3 title. Bray men win their fourth senior BLI Trips, courtesy of Jimmy O'Brien, Eddie O'Connor and Ray Rigley.
2004
Peg O' Toole and Chrissie Sheppard win the LBLI Senior Pairs, the first time the trophy has come to Bray. Breeda Keogh (skip), Betty Keogh, Pauline Feeney and Berney McEvoy take the senior fours, Bray's second in four years. Phyllis Brett is selected on the Ireland team for World Bowls, held every four years. In the men's first division Bray finish runners-up to Blair Somers' Blackrock. Wally Doyle wins his first All-Weather Champion of Champions.
2005
Bray's Pauline Feeney wins the first of her four Irish caps, playing as a No.2. Una McEvoy, Patsy Donnelly, Phyllis Furlong and Phyllis Wright (sub) bring the LBLI Junior Triples to Bray for the first time. Wally Doyle wins his fourth Champion of Champions and his second All-Weather Champion of Champions. James Murphy wins the Under-25s Railway Union Cup. Bray have three BLI representatives in the Inter-association Championships: Tom Feeney, James Murphy and Pat Brett.
Mid-2000s Miscellaneous
Bray enter the [mixed sex] All-Weather Bowling ("Winter") League, playing their home matches on nearby Shankill's artificial surface. For Summer seasons the Bray green is transformed into a faster one making it difficult for some bowlers to play on. The Bray men have a team in BLI Divisions 1, 3 and 5. The ladies have teams in LBLI Divisions 1 and 3. Bray bowlers enjoy the pairs tournament and socialising at Skerries Bowling Club over an end-of-season weekend. The Christmas dinner dance is held at the old Bray Golf Club (by the Dargle River) but is moved to the clubhouse when membership numbers decline.
2006
Father and son, Tony and James Murphy, win the Senior BLI Pairs, the first time it comes to Bray. Wally Doyle claims his third All-Weather Champion of Champions in a row. Mick Dunne joins the club, bringing with him a colourful personality as well as a talent for the lead position.
2007
Mick Dunne persuades Paddy Byrne to return to the club in a coaching role.
2008
Phyllis Brett retires from the international scene after 51 appearances. Due to a diminishing membership this is the last season that the Bray ladies enter a team in Division 3. Paddy Byrne plays skip for the men's Division 5 side. The numbers attending his coaching sessions prove too many for him to deal with.
2009
Richard Neilson becomes Bray's third president of the BLI. Bray reach the final of the Winter League for the first time but lose to Herbert Park in Skerries. The ladies' Division 1 is reduced from four rinks to three and the ensuing disruption causes the loss of eight members. Phyllis Brett and Jean Kane win Bray's second LBLI Senior Pairs. Then, with the help of Phyllis's sister, Marjie O'Leary, they bring home Bray's second LBLI Senior Triples. The same threesome lifts the IWBA National Triples in Coleraine.
Late-2000s Miscellaneous
The ladies' section organises short mat indoor bowling in Wolfe Tone Community Centre during the winter.

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2010
Bray ladies win the Open Challenge Cup. Marjie O'Leary, Phyllis Brett and Jean Kane finish runners-up in the British Isles trips final in Worthing, West Sussex.
2011
Wally Doyle leaves Bray for Aer Lingus who, the following year, will win their first Division 1 title. The ladies are runners-up in the LBLI Division 1 and also runners-up in the Open Challenge Cup. At the LBLI Championships a Bray quartet of Marjie O'Leary, Patsy Donnelly, Jean Kane and Phyllis Brett, triumph in the Senior Fours. In the final of the Seniors Pairs, Breeda Keogh and Betty Keogh are beaten by one shot. Breeda is also runner-up in the Senior Singles, and named Senior Bowler of the Week. A Bray men's team wins Division 5, bringing the Cassoni Cup back to Bray along with promotion.
2012
Bray's Jean Kane gains her first international caps, representing Ireland on three occasions during the year. Phyllis Brett takes home her third Champion of Champions from Dun Laoghaire. She, Jean Kane and Marjie O'Leary also reach the final of the Senior LBLI triples but are not victorious on the day. Under Pat Cronin, the Bray men bring home the Division 3 (O'D) Cup despite losing three of the four rinks in the final. Thanks to the hard work of Eamonn Kennedy and others, the club is awarded a substantial five-figure development grant from the country's Sports Capital Programme. A new 31-year lease is signed with the club's landlords, Bray Town Council. The members debate the future of the loss-making club bar and decide to stick with it. A man on the run for assault takes up residence in the viewing hut but is turned over to the Gardaï.
2013
Phyllis Brett wins her, and the club's, second Senior LBLI Singles Championship. Peg O'Toole, Chrissie Sheppard and Ann Thomas come second in the Senior trips. Jean Kane is, once again, part of the Ireland international campaign. This is the first year ever that Bray men field teams in four regular divisions (excluding the Vets). The club members pass a momentous vote to use their development grant to replace the grass with an articial playing surface. Some senior members take this opportunity to resign their membership. Late in the year Dales of Lincolnshire begin their work of transforming the green.
Early 2010s Miscellaneous
Men like John Dundon and John Browne work hard to maintain the (grass) green. Like his predecessor, Wally Doyle, John Dundon has a fondness for fast greens and cuts the grass very tightly, something that brings him into conflict with those ladies that prefer a more lush surface. Eddie Kelly and Michael Cummins look after the green surrounds while Seanie Shortt's work parties prune hedges, trees and shrubs. The belief in the men's section is that the Division 3 team are good enough to gain promotion to Division 2. On more than one occasion, the club secretary, Robert MacClancy, appeals to members not to holiday in late August/early September when competitions are reaching their climax. Great efforts are made to recruit new members and coaching sessions are held by John Browne and Betty Keogh. Frequent fund-raiseing events are organised to augment club finances.
2014
The new all-weather green is installed and many trees and shrubs are removed from the perimeter. Bowling can now be enjoyed throughout the year and maintenance is much reduced. A groundsman, Chris Fitzgerald, is recruited and will prove himself a dedicated servant of the club. The club receives news that, thanks to the hard work of Eoghain Brady, the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport has approved another grant, this time for clubhouse development. With the new playing surface neutralising home advantage, the senior men are relegated from Division 1. Mick Dunne achieves his goal of creating a second vets team for the club. During a Division 3 match at Leinster, Bray bowlers help revive a home player who had gone into cardiac arrest. During the close season, what used to be the indoor bowling competition is now held on the all-weather green on a Wednesday morning. The club goes online when Eoghain Brady and Blair Somers (now with Dun Laoghaire BC) creates its official website.
2015
With an artificial surface, the members can at last play Winter League matches in Failte Park. The club celebrates 50 years in existence with a mixed open pairs tournament which is won by Dun Laoghaire duo, Mick Cusack and Rita Saunders. The men's Division 2 team, under the captaincy of Eamonn Kennedy, returns to Division 1 at the first attempt and also win the Crumlin Cup. The second team, under the stewardship of Robert MacClancy, gain promotion from Division 3 and also win the O’D Cup. In total the men field 6 teams – Divisions 2, 3, 4 and 5 and Vets Divisions 1 and 3. Marjie O’Leary and her Division 1 ladies sometimes have difficulty fielding a full team and narrowly avoid relegation. They are runners-up to Crumlin in the Open Cup. Eoghain Brady gives the club a presence on Facebook.
2016
The men debate their continued participation in IBA competitions due to a reluctance on the part of some to make long journeys to Northern Ireland to play superior teams. Bray men put in a team to the newly-formed Division 6. With so many senior registered players, the lower teams often have difficulty fielding a full team. In a freakish vets 2 match Bray give up an 18-nil lead over St James's Gate to lose 18-20. A trio of Peg O'Toole, Chrissie Sheppard and Bernie Tracey are runners-up in the LBLI Senior Trips final. Relative newcomer, Owen Byrne, wins the club's men's championship. Bray members, Fran Neilson and Roddy O'Leary, become honorary members of the LBLI and BLI repectively. The Irish Sports Council grant pays for a much needed new roof for the clubhouse and a complete internal refurbishment. Encouraged by Pat Cronin, an interest in the game of Bridge develops among some of the members.
2017
On a few occasions the men's Division 2 side (which provides subs for Division 1) is stretched to the limit to field a full team. It survives a relegation battle with Shankill. In a first for the club, Bray men field teams in each of the three Vets divisions. Eamonn Kennedy leaves Bray for Dun Laoghaire after a communications breakdown over a re-scheduled Vets match. For the first time Bray ladies enter a team in the Saturday League. Fran Neilson initiates a lotto competition which brings in over a thousand euro for the club.
2018
With the departure of Aer Lingus from Division 1, Wally Doyle returns to Bray BC. Another notable recruit is John Cheevers from Greystones. In April Bray play host to a visit from Knock Bowling Club of Belfast. Division 6 witnesses a historic day when a Bray team plays its first ever match against North Kildare. A camping fire near Bray Head goes out of control and the resulting ash and smoke cause the cancellation of a men's Division 2 match against Clontarf. Joint captains of the men's Division 4 team, Bob Neilson and Brendan Duffy, resign when one of their registered players is rendered ineligible due to playing too many senior games. The vets win Division 1 and Division 3. Phyllis Brett and Breeda Keogh both skip on the LBLI team that finishes second in the inter-association series in Belfast. In a first for the club Fran Neilson becomes president of the IWBA. Pre-season she and the club host the Unfurling of the Flag ceremony and, in September, the National Championships where the cream of the three Northern Associations and the LBLI compete against one another. Seanie Shortt is made an honorary member of the club for his services through the years.
2019
Bray win their first Winter League when a team led by John Cheevers triumphs over Mick Cusack's Dun Laoghaire in the final at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club. Members of the club travel to Knock BC in Belfast to return the northern club's visit of the previous year. As the Summer leagues begin, both ladies' and men's Division 1 sides weather illness crises with the girls often going out short. Women are now permitted to play in men's matches. Bray's first team to take advantage of this is Owen Byrne's Division 5 side who bring three ladies with them to Leinster. The same side is also involved in the first ever meeting between Bray and Dun Laoghaire Golf Club, a team with a nucleus of strong lady bowlers. Bray ladies also make an appearance in the men's Division 2 side that travels to Meath for a Crumlin Cup tie. Vets 3 see a rarity when Eddie Morley's hot-shots score an 8 on one end. Gabriel Cahill, one of the club's nominated players, makes his own history when he turns out for all four regular men's teams (Divs 1/2/4/5) plus the three Vets sides (Divs 1/2/3). Bray host the Open Cup final between CYM and Dun Laoghaire, with the Terenure men running out winners. Eamonn Kennedy and Marcus Donohoe join Bray from Dun Laoghaire. Further building refurbishment is rolled out with new windows, doors and roofing. The large water tank in the tool shed, not needed for an artificial green, is drained and removed.

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2020
The club's latest attraction - a dartboard - brings in the members on Friday evenings. In a historic move to counter falling membership, the LBLI agree to allow one man per rink to participate in their matches. The Bray ladies' section decides against dropping into Division 2 and in favour of filling gaps in the team with male bowlers. The Winter League semi-finals take place in Bray with CYM and Leinster going through to the final. An epidemic of the coronavirus, Covid-19, spreads from China to the world and, by March, most sporting activity, including bowling, is suspended. Bray bowlers still keep in contact via two Whatsapp groups set up by Eoghain Brady. In June, the club reopens for limited social bowling under a strict anti-contagion regime. A pairs competition is organised for members which is won by Niall Shelley and Aiden King. About half the membership stay away from the club during this period. There is another lockdown in October. A hedge-cutting crew from the council descend on the club to lower the tall hedges on two sides of the ground to match that of Adelaide Road. The club reopens again for limited social bowling for the weeks before Christmas.
2021
With Covid cases on the rise after the festiver season, there is another national lockdown. A country-wide vaccination programme begins. The club does not reopen for rollups until late April and initially numbers are restricted. The LBLI cancel their leagues for another year and Bray decline to enter the men's leagues. Instead the club organises internal league and cup competitions for Saturday mornings. Owen Byrne replaces Stephen Morris as bar manager and organises his own "Lounge Team". The erection of two signs helps to bring in new members to the club. Betty and Breeda Keogh win the LBLI senior pairs championship final in Skerries. Phyllis Brett is honoured by the LBLI with the award of a "Full Set Badge"; she is one of only seven ladies to have won all four senior championship titles. In the BLI championships all teams are led by John Cheevers. Despite some memorable home wins in front of good crowds they do not get near the silverware. Roddy O'Leary steps down as the club's BLI delegate after nearly 30 years in the role. He is replaced by John Cheevers. The club competitions go ahead, organised by the same five-person committee that ran the internal competitions. Eoghain Brady wins the men's championship for the first time. Dave Meaney manages a refurbishment of the toolshed, resulting in half the space going towards a new patio for the bar. With the pandemic still raging, the club's AGM is once again cancelled. The Winter League restarts with Bray entering two teams.
2022
Owen Byrne oversees completion of the new bar patio. Bray host the AWBA finals on a glorious Spring day. Patrick Brosnan self-publishes his book, "Bray Bowling Club, A History" on Amazon. For the first time in years Bray men enter junior BLI championships; they perform well though do not make any finals. Eoghain Brady brings the men's champion-of-champions trophy back to Bray from Dun Laoghaire for the first time in 17 years. History is made when Bray men play in LBLI Division 1 and Bray ladies play in BLI Division 1. Both teams enjoy solid seasons in their leagues. Bray B struggle in BLI Division 2 and are fortunate to escape relegation on the last day. The junior sides do well, winning the Shott Cup and Division 5 (Victor Cassoni Cup). Bray win the Vets 1 and 3 leagues. Phyllis Brett and Niall Shelley become the year's club champions. It is Niall's first time to get his name on the board. Bray enter three teams in the Winter League with an effort made to concentrate ability in Bray A. Members voice many concerns over the proposed merger between the BLI and LBLI. After the pandemic's disruption new club officers are elected: John Dunne becomes president, Niall Shelley, honorary secretary and Dave McMahon, captain. RIP: Brian Walshe, Tony Murphy, Phillis Nolan and Jean Kane.
2023
Owen Byrne organises a new trophy cabinet and also a remembrance area for deceased members. History is made when the BLI and LBLI agree to merge. Due to lack of numbers the Bray ladies leave Division 1 after 33 years and move down to Division 2. Bray is the venue for the unfurling of the Flag of the new Irish Lawn Bowls association, and club member, Frank Devlin, is its first president. When Bray travel to Donaghadee, Co. Down, it is the first time ever that they field ladies in an IBA Cup tournament. Bray field teams in the following leagues: Saturday Divisions 1, 2 and 5; Monday Division 4; Wednesday Divisions 2 and 6; Thursday Vets 1, 2, 3 and 4. The inaugural ILB championship finals are held in Fáilte Park with five Bray bowlers having made it to the semi-final stages. Though none win their competitions the event itself is deemed a great success. Men's captain, Dave McMahon, arranges regular drill sessions where any member can come along to practise on differently configured heads. Division 2 Wednesday, mostly ladies, have a great season under captain, Terri McKeon, winning the league and cup double. Two of the team, Theresa Martin and Patricia Fitzgerald, play in the junior inter-association tournament in Bangor, Co. Down. Bray, under captain, Mick Dunne, win Vets 4. Betty Keogh and Eoghain Brady become the year's club champions. It is all change for the winter as Irish Lawn Bowls takes over from the All-Weather Bowling Association. The north-south split is left behind and the Winter League becomes a five division affair with promotion and relegation. Bray has three teams, in Divisions 1, 4 and 5. There is also a four division Winter Vets league which runs on Wednesday mornings. Bray has teams in Divisions 1, 3 and 4. Mark Hughes organises a singles challenge ladder for any members interested. Bray lends its ground for an Inclusion Day for able and disabled members of the community to try out the sport. RIP: Michael O'Brien.
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