152nd Post: Much ado about everythnig...
The Tom Walsh Trophy:
Congratulations to Pat Ryan who won the first quarter competition for our Main Trophy in 2026. Not alone is Pat relatively new to the sport and this internal competition, but his courteous demeanour masks a competitive spirit and no mean level of skill, that culminated in his maiden victory. The freshly inscribed trophy will be presented next Saturday 7th April. Photos to follow......
Unfortunately, Micheal lost out in the final. A very keen player and great supporter of the club. Interesting that the final 8 for the play-off consisted of equal numbers of female and male players.
We are all aware that it is not a true 'Singles Competion' until the final phases but it allows us to have up to 36 players playing simultaneously wheres in a true 'Singles' competition would could only cater for 12 players at a time.
Monday / Saturday Competition:
Ciarán is working on the dual-day competition that start in early April. Basically, for the following three months members can play on Saturdays and/or Mondays and accumulate scores in both. They are two pathways to an eventual final involving the top players from both groups.
If a member plays both days and manages to make the top four, both days, their highest score will count. They are then removed from the other group and the next best player moves up. The top eight will have a play-off to determine the winner by the end of June.
'Dedicated' members will record everyone's scores on each day for to avoid any confusion as to how to enter the scores. If incorrectly done it messes up the competition stats.
We will mention one rule each day before play to familiarise more members with the finer points so we are better prepared before games against other clubs and IPA Competition.
Latecomers will sit out the first game. Once play has started no player can join in. Please make it to the pistes 15 mins before play. A text saying you will be late is welcome but if play has started you will have to wait out one game. The members who prepare the pistes are there a half hour beforehand!!
Ciarán will make out a chart determining the number of players per piste which depends on the number of players present. Triple singles will not be permitted.
We will endeavour to cancel play on any competition day, if necessary, a half hour before play is due to start [ 11:00 a.m. on both days ] to facilitate distant members. There are only a few reasons why play would be cancelled. Should play have started and weather, or any other incident militates against further play, Ciarán, the match secretary, will decide if previous scores count.
BBC - IPA:
22 of our members paid the extra €20 to play in some IPA events in 2026. Our first potential outing was the Leinster singles Qualifier in Marlay Park on last Saturday 28th March.
Originally we had nine entrants from BBC but JoC, GL and KN had to withdraw. Generally, once you enter a competition iot should be rare to withdraw except for unforseen circumstance. Six travelled to Marlay more in hope than conviction, considering many of the Irish Celtic Challenge team members would be present.
We were blessed with the weather and the nine-piste facility. New software was being trialed in all the provinces on the day. The Swiss System, used in the main European competitions. The new Tournament Directors, Kevin Meniel and Stephane Voinot ably assisted by the National Umpire, David Rolland brought a level of sophistication and professionalism not previously evident at IPA Competitions.
We found out at the venue that each of us would play six, timed games [45mins each]. No person was eliminated but the more successful players on the day played against their peers and the lesser lights, after the first round, were not mis-matched with a player of a much superior standard.
All entrants were accommodated on this occasion and the weather was kind. That may not be the case in future and clubs might have to identify their best IPA members to represent the club as numbers grow. We will be guided by the tourament directors. We have already planned to identify club pairings for the Doubles and Mixed Doubles with a view to matching skill level, resilience, experience and compatability to potentially show the BBC in as best a light as possible.
Hamed, Ciarán and Dirk all took the scalps of better players 'on paper' and won three of their six games just missing out on qialification from Leinster. Michael and Tom D won two of their six and while Yvonne brought up the rear she was the only female entrant in the thirty players and brought many games down to the wire.
Overall it was a great experience and proved that with a little more accuracy in shooting we could be a match for many. Some photos below...
Also, check the Ciarán's BBC Facebookpage..................https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=bayside%20boules
Upcoming IPA Events:
*interclub teams consist of min 6 players and MUST have one player of the opposite sex
Teams of more than 8 must have two members of the opposite sex.
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BBC have two teams travelling to Cork / Frankfield on Saturday 18th April for the National Triples.
Train to Cork dep. 7 a.m. Play starts c. 10:30 a.m. and return train 6:30 p.m.
Dirk, Irene,Tom D and Terry, Maureen , Yvonne
Bayside have been chosen to host the IPA Singles Final on Sun. 17th May and the IPA Mixed Doubles on Sunday 7th June. A great honour and achievement based on the success of last year. While we have no member in the Singles Final it will be a great opportunity see the best individuals on the island doing battle.
It would be wonderful if we had competitive pairings for the Ladies Doubles and the Mixed Doubles. With that in mind we will create pairings who can train together, in advance, and play other pairings withing the club to hone their skills and tactical awareness.
Last year our Ladies Doubles came closest to the prizewinners enclosure!!
Note: In general entry deadlines to events are a fortnight ahead of the date of play.
Maintenance Crew:
We are at that time of year when maintenance is required on the pahways, pistes, surrounds, benches and flowerbeds. The hedges alongside the school have already been pared back.
Currently, the grass and weeds on the pathwars are being pulled by hand while the ground is moist to take the entire root system. We are straightening the path edges and widening them, if needed.
In the next dry spell James, with assistance, will repaint the borders. We have begun the grass maintenance nearby the pistes with the mower and strimmer. Our thanks to those who assist with these works. An occasional call will go out. A crew of 6 is usually manageable with roles for all.
When it come to the IPA hosting we will need the 'strings' on the pistes reinstated and removed on those days. Some other projects in the offing....stay tuned......
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