Good weekend at All-Ireland horseshoes

THE ALL-IRELAND club, county and doubles championships were held in Athy last Saturday and Sunday, while there was a mixed doubles tournament held the Friday.

Final: Michael Redmond (Woodsmen) and P.J. Delaney (Gouleyduff) beat Tom Connors (Woodsmen) and Larry Doyle (Gouleyduff), 21-19. On Saturday, the All-Ireland club kicked things off. Division 1 final: Woodsmen (Wexford) beat Gouleyduff (Kildare) over three games to be crowned champions for the eighth time. Congratulations to everyone involved in the club.

Division 2 final: Gouleyduff (Kildare) beat Cois Farraige (Galway) over three games.

The All-Ireland county was next.

Division 1 final: Wexford beat Kildare 3-2 in games.

Division 2 final: games.

Sunday rolled around with the All-Ireland doubles Donegal beat Galway 3-2 in staged.

Final: Liam Bond (Woodsmen) and Tadhg Kinelly (Galway) beat Christy McLoughlin and Martin Doherty (Galway), 21-17.

It was an unusual final and probably not one that could have been reasonably predicted beforehand. It could be the first time two players from different clubs have won the All-Ireland doubles together, but well done to Liam Bond and Tadhg on beating an elite field.

It was a good weekend for the Wexford competitors, who had a strong showing in a lot of events.

The Wexford county championships (Division 1 and 2) will be held in Ferns at 6.30 p.m. Wednesday, August 30, with the Curracloe open doubles on Saturday, September 2, at 4 p.m.

The county Wexford ringers (Division 1 and 2) will be held on Wednesday, September 6, at 6.45 p.m.

The league finals (Division 1 and 2) will be held on Saturday, September 9, with a 3 p.m. start.