144th Post: Busy June.....

Monday Competition:

The last day of this iteration of the Monday Competition was held yesterday.  We await the name of the winner when the number crunching is complete.....Great turnout most days and genuinely competitive as members improve their pointing and shooting skills.    The winner will be announced shortly.

Singles Competition:  BBC Club Singles 2025

Ciarán has started the Summer Singles with four groups chosen randomly.  Each group member plays one game against the other players in the group.  The top two in each group go into the Tier 1 bracket and the remaining players enter the Tier 2 bracket.  All finalists will receive a prize.  Many games have already been played in the early rounds and are organised individually via the App.

BBC v Cabinteely:  Wed 25th June in Alden Park

The long awaited return fixture v Cabinteely happened last Wednesday.  The weather was pleasant for play and with 38 players and a number of spectators the pistes were awash with activity and colour.  They arrived for play before 10:30 and we played three games of Triples with some BBC players sitting out an end.  All went off smoothly and enjoyably.

There were two ways to win:    Total aggregate score    and/or    Total team wins                                      BBC won the accumulated score version and we drew 9 all in the head to head wins.  We made sure the event was over within a three hour window as we had no toilets available.  Cabinteely made their way to the Yacht, which was on their way home afterwards.  They enjoyed the day which is the essence of Pétanque.

Exotic Visitors to BBC:

Via a contact in Cavan Pétanque we were asked if an American couple could join us for play on a Tuesday morning.   Alex Canesse and his partner Stacey duly arrived on Tuesday 24th June.  The youthful couple from Tampa, Florida were very experienced players who could both 'Shoot' with a high degree of precision.  We made the decision, after their demolition of Hamed and Tom D, to allow all the morning's players to play with/against them.  They were very appreciative of the possibility to play in Dublin.

Bayside Summer Picnic:

As with other years we were asked to have a presence at the BCA Summer Event.  Despite the occasional intense showers we provided three 'fun' activities for the passers-through to try and advertise our existence.  Our thanks to Mairead, Eddie, Hamed, Nathan and later on Joan and Eileen for their support with the logistics of running the event.

Friday Night Social Boules:

The Friday Night Social Boules is working out well.  Large groups of members are attending and enjoying the opportunity to play and tipple!

TY follow-on:

The winner of the St Fintan's TY Boules Project has turned up with his mates to play some evenings.  Proof that if Boules were available [ he won a set of 6 for his prize] more people would try the game. 

Hence, we've asked Fingal Co.Co. to consider the installation of a dispenser for various sports, 

accessed via an App, in the park. Fingers crossed....something like this from Marlay Park and Seapoint....may be approved.

Maintenance:

The planters look great at present mainly thanks to Sharyon and Tom B.  The area in general looks well and we will have occasional weeding / painting over the summer.  Volunteers welcome.  The next two photos were taken the same day after extremely heavy rain.  The Pistes had no water lodged compared with the end of the cul-de-sac!

Grandparent / Parents Day:

A first for BBC.  We encouraged parents / grandparents of the school population, who are being exposed to Pétanque via Ciarán, to try the game.  We abandoned the Saturday because of the torrential rain but we had almost a score of trialists on the Sunday.  All really enjoyed the exposure.  We will try again in the Autumn Term.  

IPA Leinster Doubles Qualifier:

Ciarán and Dirk represented BBC at the Leinster Qualifiers.  Considering the quality of the opposition the both gave a good account of themselves despite not qualifying for the finals.  

IPA Doubles finals in Alden Park Sun Aug 3rd 2025:

This year the IPA Doubles Finals are due to be held in Alden Park on Sun. 3rd August.  This is just our second hosting of a national event and our six pistes are ideal for the occasion.  We will need assistance with the set-up and dismantling on the day.  

Ciarán has offered to run the competition for the IPA.  We will have to put up some Gazebos and ensure the school toilets are available with BBC members chaperoning on the day.  An opportunity to see some of the best players in Ireland in action!  We will advertise locally to generate an audience.

Spot the 'Boule':

BBC v Seapoint tomorrow!