The Ireland Team, pictured below, triumphed in the 2023 Celtic Challenge held at the N Down Petanque Club piste in Bangor, Co Down on 29th and 30th April.
The weather was misty and a little damp on the Saturday and again on Sunday morning. There was thunder and lightening and rain on Sunday afternoon that caused parts of the piste to flood and halted play for 20 minutes or so, The rain delayed the proceedings but didn’t dampen the Irish teams enthusiasm and they continued to rack up the wins before finally emerging victorious.
The Ireland A squad had a total of 34 wins ensuring that the Trophy would rest in Ireland for the next year before we try and defend it in Wales 2024. Overall Scotland were runner-up with 27 wins and Wales 3rd with 20 wins.
Mention must be made of the supporting role played by the B team – they won a total of 15 games over the weekend – including 12 against Scotland and Wales which definitely contributed to the A team’s victory.
There were a lot of new players in the Ireland squad and it augurs well for the future of Petanque in Ireland.
As well as claiming the overall trophy the Ireland A1 team of Colin Delaney, Sariff Antooaroo, Stephane Voinot and Kevin Meniel were unbeaten in their 12 games over the weekend and rightly claimed the trophy for the Best Triple.
The event was graced with the presence of Councillor Karen Douglas, Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council, who, along with the Presidents of the IPA – Billy Gleadell, SPA – Alison Swiffin, WPA – Tony Smith and N Down Petanque Club – Kevin McBrien, threw the ceremonial first boules to open the event on the Saturday. Councillor Douglas was also guest of honour at dinner on Sunday Evening in Pickie Bowling Club function room.where she handed out the main awards as well as mementos to the players of all three nations.
The IPA would like to record its thanks to the members of N Down Petanque Club for their contribution to the smooth running of the event and also to their landlords, Pickie Bowling Club for their assistance over the weekend and in particular the use of their marquee which was very popular especially when the rain came down on Sunday afternoon!
For further information on the IPA please contact the Honorary Secretary , Dawn Kirk via dawn_petanque@outlook.com.
Above we see the Ireland A1 team with the Celtic Challenge Trophy and the shield for the top triple which were presented to them by the Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council Councillor Karen Douglas.
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