Ladies show expertise on the green

TWO days of bowling in the sunshine took place at Bray Lawn Bowling Club recently, for the Irish Women’s Bowling Association annual championships.

The President of the IWBA for 2018 is Fran Nielson from Bray, and the championships are always held in the club of the president.

The IWBA is the parent body for one association in the south (LBLI) and three in Northern Ireland (NIWBA, PTWBA and NIWPLG).

Each of those associations runs their own competitions during the year, and their champions compete in the all-Ireland event.

While the Bray club didn’t have any competitors in this event, the Ladies Bowling League of Ireland won three of the five titles.

Mother and daughter team Sarah and Noeleen Kelly from Crumlin won the pairs, and later the fours, with two of their club colleagues.

The atmosphere was fantastic throughout both days.

People travelled in large numbers from Northern Ireland to participate in and support the championships.

At one stage on the Saturday, around 140 people were gathered around the rink. Many of the visitors brought their own chairs, to relax and enjoy the spectacle.

The Bray Ladies Committee did the catering. There was tea and coffee on tap, plenty of sandwiches, and other refreshments.

One of the competitors spoke after the prize giving to thank the Bray club for their hospitality and very warm welcome.

It was a great honour and pleasure for the club to host 50 of the country’s leading female bowlers.

Peg O’Toole, Breeda Keogh, vice president IWBA Valerie Irwin, president Bray Bowling Club Aidan Galvin, president IWBA Fran Neilson, Rose Walshe, Florrie Carroll and Phyllis Brett.

Noeleen Kelly in the pairs final.

ILBI president Georgina Morrissey, Brendan Morrissey and umpire Dave Matthews.

Sean Shortt, Pat Crinion, Brian Walshe and John Leonard.

International bowls player Sarah Kelly, who was in the pairs competition with her mother Noeleen Kelly.