Fyfe Trophy success for Mr President

Posted on 29 October 2017 by LouiseKerr

The bronze, silver and gold medal winners at the Fyfe Trophy

There was an excellent turn-out of ICA members for the Fyfe Trophy at Breahead Ice Rink yesterday, organised by Eoin McCrossan.

Five rinks played a round-robin of three-end games, with a break for lunch between game three and four.

The top three team at the end of the event were:

1st: David Whyte, Andrew Gilmore, Margarita Sweeney-Baird, Frances Donald (and Frances Whyte for one game)
2nd: John Furey, Jen Ward, Ross Barr, Gillian Russell
3rd: Neil Fyfe, Steve Callan, Carolyn Hibberd

Neil Fyfe presented most of the medals (bar himself!) and the Fyfe Trophy to the winners. Congratulations to them and thanks to everyone for taking part in this annual test of endurance over 15 ends!

James Russell was testing out the camera settings on his new phone and here are the results……..

Day 7 update from the Big Cheese

Posted on 13 October 2017 by Bill Gray

Day 7 Update from Ross Barr

The final session of the round robin stage saw Team Ireland come head to head with Team Spain. Both teams were on four wins and sitting joint third. Knowing that the winner of this match would qualify for the knock out stages provided an extra degree of interest. Spain secured a two shot advantage in the second end after blanking the first. Chasing the game from that point Team Ireland set up a number of promising ends but they were continually thwarted by the accuracy of the Spanish play.

A disappointing end to what was generally a successful and very enjoyable tournament for Alan, Jacqui, Ross, Clare and coach Alison. Team Ireland offer thanks to all those who have provided encouragement and support throughout the competition.

Mixed update

Posted on 13 October 2017 by LouiseKerr

Team Ireland on the ice – photo credit WCF

The Irish Mixed Team, playing in the world championships in Champery, Switzerland, finished their round-robin games against two of the strongest team in their group, going down 1-10 to Korea and 0-8 to Spain.

Ireland skip Alan Mitchell – photo credit WCF

Clare and Ross on sweeping duties – photo credit WCF

Alan, Jacqui, Ross and Clare did their best and finished with a very respectable four win – three loss record, just missing out on a qualification spot. Well done to you all – and coach Alison, now you can relax and enjoy the rest of your stay in the Alps.

Day 6 in Champery

Posted on 11 October 2017 by Bill Gray

Alan ‘Skippy’ Mitchell on the blog:

Met with another beautiful day in the Swiss Alps we had the full day to prepare for our 6th game and enjoy the superb weather with temperatures exceeding the nicest of Belfast summer days.

Our opponents today were the young South Korean team who had 5 wins to their name – looking resplendent in their bright yellow team uniforms they exuded confidence from the moment they stepped on the ice. It was soon obvious they had trained to a very high standard and were positioning stones to the nearest mm.

Some great 1st end play by Ireland was sadly the highlight of the game and the incessant pressure applied by the Koreans took its toll. We can take comfort that without doubt these young players will be stars of the future.

Our team walk back from the rink witnessed another glorious sunset which lifted team spirits and soon brought our trip back into perspective.

Day 5 update from Champery

Posted on 11 October 2017 by Bill Gray

Ross Barr writes:

Our 8 am game against Kazakhstan got off a solid start with four players in both teams for the first two ends. The Kazakhstan lead was then banished to the coaches bench where she remained for the rest of the game, as usual. A lead of 6 – 2 was established by mid game break. Hands were shaken during the eighth end when the score line read 7 – 3.

Team Ireland then retired to review stone placement and sweeping tactics on the patio.

The team decided nutrition needs should be met by a visit to the local Cailler chocolate and Gruyere cheese factory in preparation for the game against Korea.

World Mixed latest

Posted on 10 October 2017 by LouiseKerr

Alan and Jacqui discuss tactics at World Mixed Curling Championship. Photo credit – WCF

Another two excellent results for Team Ireland at the World Mixed Championships in Champery.

Having beaten Luxembourg 10-3 they then took down Kazakhstan 7-3 to stand proudly top of their group with four wins and one defeat.

They play Korea tomorrow afternoon. Keep it up team you are doing Ireland proud!

Day 4 Update

Posted on 10 October 2017 by Bill Gray

From Ross Barr:

Nothing like keeping things exciting for our dedicated coach!

Coach in the frame!!

Having decided that our tactics for the Luxembourg game was to avoid having guards, we managed to play the first two ends continually setting up guards and letting Luxembourg draw around them. Realising this was not in our game plan, we began to play the intended tactics from end three onwards and we held our own, which resulted in s good win for Team Ireland! An early morning game tomorrow against Kazakhstan – it will be interesting to see if the full opposing team can make it through the whole game with four players.

Day 2 chat from Champery

Posted on 9 October 2017 by Bill Gray

A win for Pure Genius!!

Another exciting day for Team Ireland! An early rise for our game against Scotland. Started off well, but unfortunately out-played by a very strong team. Sociable drinks after helped us to lift our spirits after a tough game. Team Ireland were psyched for the afternoon match. Coming up against Silver Olympic medalist Trine Qvist and well experienced coach and seniors player Mikael Qvist. We knew it was an important game for us. After a good first end we struggled with our weight, leaving us 5-1 down at half time. Regrouping after the break we came back strong and were 6-5 up without the hammer going in to the last end. A tense final end, with a well placed stone nestled on the button allowed us to gain a final point in the eighth end! Our day ended with a night excursion up the gonolda with bubbles and snacks; a perfect way to toast our second win of the competition.

Carolyn Hibberd becomes an Irish Scottish Champion

Posted on 8 October 2017 by LouiseKerr

Carolyn with her team.
Photo credit – Jim Ryder

Congratulations to Carolyn Hibberd who, as lead in Graeme Adam’s senior mixed team, won the Scottish Mixed Championships at Stranraer this afternoon.

Carolyn and her teammates won a tense final 6-5 after an extra end. AND……she beat her fellow ICA member PJ Wilson in the final!

Well done Carolyn from all of us – very well deserved! Hard lines Peter – your day will come.

World Mixed news

Posted on 8 October 2017 by LouiseKerr

Good start for the Irish Mixed team at the world championships in Champery, Switzerland with two wins out of three.

Team Ireland – picture credit WCF

The team of Alan Mitchell, Jacqui Davidson, Ross Barr and Clare McCormick beat New Zealand in their first game 7-5, lost their next one to Scotland 2-9 but earlier today took down Denmark 7-5. They play Luxembourg tomorrow afternoon.

Come on Ireland!

irish-curling.org