Day lost at mixed

THERE was drama at Murrayfiled ice rink today when the plant broke down. Finding the ice had melted the organisers of the European Mixed Curling Championships had to option but to apologise and reschedule the draw.

A new plant was en route when the teams gathered for the team meeting and the plan is to have the practice session tomorrow morning. The opening ceremony was binned too and the teams had the day off.

Hazel and I had our nails done in Jenners – and why not?

New draw for Ireland:

Sunday
Practice – 11.30
v Slo – 8pm

Monday
v Fin – 8.30am
v Ita – 4.30pm
Tuesday
v Tur – 10am
Wednesday
v Aut – 12.30pm
v Svk – 8.30pm
Thursday
v Den – 2.30pm

EMCC Team Profile – Louise Kerr

As Louise has already answered the previous questions for her Seniors profile in April, she answers a new set of probing questions:

Louise kerr profile pic.Name – Louise Kerr

Age – 53

Occupation – Journalist

Three things you really like? – Frosty mornings, Sky Plus box, the smell of horses.

Three things that really annoy you? – bad parking ,visible tattoos, rain.

Three things from your ‘bucket list’ – learn to tango, see the Northern Lights, go to the races at Cheltenham.

What was the last film you saw? Les Miserables

And the last book you read? Actor Rupert Everett’s autobiography ‘Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins’.

Give us a playlist of five of your favourite songs (and artists)
Rescue Me – Fontella Bass;
Rubberband Man – Detroit Spinners;
Poison – Alice Cooper;
Bad Things – Jace Everett;
The Ashokan Farewell – The band of the Royal Marines.

And one song you never want to hear again? – Lady in Red. Boak.

What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind? – Coronation Street characters 1967 -present day.

What’s your favourite meal? Chip shop fish and chips.

Washed down by? Red Kola.

Tell us something about yourself that will surprise people? I don’t dye my hair – yet!

You can save one prized possession. What is it? The grandfather clock.

What keeps you awake at night? Caffine.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Silence is golden.

EMCC Team Profile – Johnjo Kenny

As Johnjo has already answered the previous questions for his Seniors profile in April, we gave him a new set of probing questions to answer:

JJ profile picName – Johnjo Kenny

Age – 52

Occupation – Property Manager

Three things you really like – Being at home. Friday nights.Saturday Mornings

Three things that really annoy you – Drunks, stupid facebook posts and lazy people criticising politicians

Three things from your ‘bucket list’ – To go to a grand classical music concert in Vienna (Strauss preferably). Go to the Brier. Retire to Dingle.

What was the last film you saw? – Strangely enough “Bucket List “(Jack Nicolson)

And the last book you read? – Been reading Roy Jenkins’ biography of Winston Churchill for 4 years. Just started Alan Johnston’s biography “About a Boy”.

Give us a playlist of five of your favourite songs (and artists);
Extraordinary Thing by K.D Lang.
Bridge over troubled water by Simon and Garfunkel.
Only Living Boy in New York by Simon and Garfunkel.
Brian Wilson by the Bare naked ladies.
Green and Red of Mayo by Saw Doctors.

And one song you never want to hear again? – Gonna Right a classic (Gonna wrote it in an attic) by Adrian Gurwitz. (Classic and Attic just do not rhyme on any level!!!)

What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind? – Anoraks 1499-1999

What’s your favourite meal? – Spag bol

Washed down by? – cold semi skimmed milk

Tell us something about yourself that will surprise people? – I started life as a small baby.

You can save one prized possession. What is it? – Mobile Phone.

What keeps you awake at night? – Work

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? – If you don’t speak no-one will realise how stupid you are.

EMCC Team Profile – Bill Gray

BillGrayProfilePicName – Bill Gray
Age – 53
Occupation – Estate Manager
Status – single / married / divorced / still wondering? – Married – still wondering
Children – names and ages please – Sarah; 23
Years curling – 15
Home club and ice rink – Belfast Curling Club ; Oxenfoord at Murrayfield

In-turn or out-turn? Definitely in-turn on strikes; out-turn on draws

Best ever curling memory? – Sweeping Canadian Stone through the 4 ft to win the World Seniors in 2012.

Favourite sport outside curling:
To watch – Rugby, Cricket, Golf, or any other sport – even floodlit indoor Camogie!
To play – Golf

If you had to switch careers, what job would you do? – Engineer or Professional Sportsman

Favourite TV programme? – A Question of Sport; any quiz programmes

Favourite holiday destination and why? – New York. Been twice: couldn’t remember the first time (aged 16 on school rugby tour-too much vodka); second time this year. Just a great place.

Apart from the ICA, what website do you spend the most time on? BBC Sport

Best / worst subjects at school? – Sport / History

Who’d be your four ideal dinner guests? – Brian O’Driscoll, Catherine Grainger, Jess Ennis, Usain Bolt

Sum yourself up in five words – Competitive, Committed, Cheery, Proud, Irish

Irish Curling Association Open Day

THE Irish Curling Association is holding an open day at Greenacres Ice Rink in Renfrewshire on Sunday, September 22, for existing members and also for anyone wishing to join.

The refresher course / come and try day will run from 11am until approximately 3pm with additional coaching and ice available from 3-5pm for the especially keen.

The day will be structured with approved coaching drills to improve curling techniques however it will also be a fun day suitable for all levels and to allow us time on the ice before the new season. 
One of the other objectives of the day is to get curlers together at an early stage of the season to try and encourage more participants and teams for the various events on the ICA fixture list this season and indeed in seasons to come.
Open day organiser Johnjo Kenny said: “This season the World Mixed Doubles and the World Seniors are taking place in Scotland in April 2014 and hopefully Ireland will have representatives in all categories. The men’s development and international squad are always looking for new recruits and we need to get a similar squad for a ladies team, if not to compete internationally this year then certainly in future years. The Mixed Playdowns are not until March or April 2014 so there is plenty of time to get your team in shape!”

The cost of participation will be in the region of £15 and places can be booked by emailing Johnjo at johnjokenny@btinternet.com  or calling on 01383 514075.

EMCC Team Profile – Hazel Gormley-Leahy

Hazel-GLName – Hazel Gormley-Leahy
Age – 28
Occupation – Marketing Director
Status – single / married / divorced / still wondering? – single
Children – names and ages please – If I had any they would be Sebastian, O, Valeria, 0.
Years curling – Mmmm; according to Facebook photos…4 years
Home club and ice rink – Nikki Beach- Beach Club.

In-turn or out-turn? Which one is which? If holding a stone in my right hand I prefer flicking it from left to right J Spain is different.

Best ever curling memory? – First day I walked out in an Ireland Jersey. All other not for publication: pria….

Favourite sport outside curling: hockey
To watch – tennis
To play – hockey

If you had to switch careers, what job would you do? – wouldn’t change my job but if I had to, I’d like to be a fake doctor or lawyer on TV, like Grey’s Anatomy.

Favourite TV programme? – Hooked on Devious Maids at the moment.

Favourite holiday destination and why? Haven’t had a holiday in years; so favorite work trip destination; Monaco; favorite curling city; loved Moscow!

Apart from the ICA, what website do you spend the most time on? – dailymail.co.uk

Best / worst subjects at school? – Best: Art ; Worst: Irish

Who’d be your four ideal dinner guests? – Why four, that’s an uneven number for dinner!

Sum yourself up in five words – work, laugh, sleep, work, laugh