IPA Interclub Competition:
One team of 6 per club. At least one member of opposite gender. Two subs possible [ one must be opposite gender]. Probably Doubles and Triples matches. Saturday 21st September [ 10:30 to 17:30 ] in Marlay and/or Bushy Park. Probably 6 games with best overall team score to win. [Much depends on number of entries]. Six teams are registered nationally of today 29/08/25.
It would be great to have a BBC team entered. Presently, we have 5 interested names. I'm making the cut-off date this Sunday 31/08/25. The next one to three names on the poll will, for this year, make our team. In following years we will try to have a ranking system and invite members to represent us at these competitions. Last year it was not obligatory to be a paid-up IPA member to participate but they will have priority, if oversubscribed.
There is a once off cost of €8 for each player on the day and you will have to make your own way there. Players can organise among themselves. If our club gear has arrived by then it should be worn by our representatives. If we are attending I will have further information closer to the date. I'm away on holidays then.
If we do not have 6 players by this Sunday evening I will withdraw our provisional booking.
Mauritian / Irish visitors:Since our successful hosting of a couple of IPA Events in Alden Park attention has been drawn to our facility. Ciarán and Dirk, among others, have joined them on occasion last year and this year. Some of them are the top players on the island of Ireland. Sariff is one of the top players in the country and recently won the Frankfield Open in Cork for the sixth consecutive year!!
L to R: Lovena, Rishi, Sujeet, Vic, Sariff and Ashok.
We encourage players to go and watch them play / practice whenever their work allows them to play. They are only occasional visitors but I think they would be very open to friendly interplay with members of BBC, if arranged in advance.
Grant Aided Gear:
Via the Age Action Grant under Active Cities and the Fingal Local Enhancement Capital and Current Grants we have been able to acquire through a lengthy process the following items for the club:
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| Set of advertising Fly Flags |
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| 3 Urns for Hot or Cold liquids at Events |
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| A Defibrillator. This will be installed on the external school wall accessible to the broader community, probably in September. Our grant part-funded the Purchase and Installation costs. We are grateful for the support of Ruairí Phelan [Bayside First Responders] and the Board of Management of Bayside SNS / Janet Lynch [Principal]. |
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| We bought one Gazebo and inadvertently [because of slight damage to the original] we received another one. Two now for Events! |
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| Similar story with the original Fly Flags which Ciarán, in particular, was unhappy with the resolution of the image and lack of credit to our grantors, so at his insistence the manufacturers sent us the new set, without the poles!!! |
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| This 'Shooting Practice Mat' should allow us to develop our shooting skills along with the other gear we have at our disposal. We definitely should have a designated Shooting Area and Time Frame for those who wish to develop their skills. As you can see as we increase our level of equipment we need local storage. Fingal will not put a container in the park so we will be canvassing for some locals to offer storage for equipment as we grow. To be discussed..... |
Kiltullagh Heritage Event:
If, like me, you had never heard of the place have a chat with James Rowland. He was born and raised nearby. Following an invitation to the IPA to send some representation to their Heritage Event commemorating an emigree, Patrick D'Arcy who was 14 years old when he went to France to escape persecution and pursue education, Tom and Eileen D obliged.
I combined a visit home with a detour to support the event outside Athenry. Suffice to say that the local pub, Mary Warde's, is now going to have Boules behind the counter and devote some of the carpark for play as a consequence of the exposure to the game!
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/kiltullaghkillimordalyheritagesociety/1818492
Castlebar Visit:
Unfortunately, the Castlebar visit had to be postponed because of the weather forecast for Castlebar on the proposed date 27-08-25. We had to cancel the train and advise all involved. On our way back from Kiltullagh we dropped into the new facility in Athlone. Perhaps we could play Castlebar there some date in the future as they are in the process of finding a permanent home. Athlone is a fine facility within a sports complex and closer to Dublin.
BBC play:
Meanwhile play continues most days in Alden Park. New players have arrived such as Enda McElvaney and Eugene Hackett, among others. They are most welcome and we will organise membership if they continue to play.
Irish Doubles finals in Alden Park Sunday August 3rd:
BBC's second time to host a National Competition was a great success. Ciarán was the Organiser in Chief for the day and many BBC members support in the administration, including setting up and dismantling the Gazebos and strings lining the pistes.
The event could not have taken place without the support of Gertie who allowed us to avail of the toilet facilities in the school throughout the day.
Teams from Ulster/Connacht, Munster and Leinster qualified for the finals. There were 12 teams in total but one Munster team failed to attend so Ciarán had to manage the eleven teams as fairly as possible.
The event was a success and entertaining for the many spectators ...family members of the players, members of BBC and Malahide players who came along at our invitation.
The standard of play was wonderful despite the absence of some top competitors...all were impressed. Shooting and Tactical play were very much on display.
The eventual winners were Gregory Novarsio and Vincent Belingard.
Ciarán's organisation of the event was exemplary considering he's a novice at this level and very favourably commented on.
Dirk - Our Shooter:
Dirk was our sole representative at the National Shooting competition. Others, who would have been competitive, for various reasons could not make it this year. Dirk acquitted himself very well having progressed since last year and improved on his performance by reaching the second round.
Considering we do not focus on the skills enough within the club, he played commendably well.
There are more than a few members who, with practice, could feature well in the competition.
We now have the equipment required for practice so 2026 should see more than just Dirk participate,
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| Dirk in action |
St Anne's Memorial Event Fri 1st August:
Formerly, just in memory of Mike Deegan the event has broadened to include former members of both clubs Kitty Rowley, Shay Coyne R.I.P.
Nigel ran the event very efficiently. It was well attended and the morning was lovely and most retired to Olive's Room for refreshments afterwards.
Barbara Fitzpatrick was the worthy outright winner with Eileen D pipping Tom D for second and third positions. Nigel didn't play but focused on organising. We wish Nigel well for his upcoming operation.
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