Last week at Greenacres, two rinks representing the ICA overcame their Ardrossan Castle counterparts by an aggregate score of 17-9. Neil Fyfe’s rink triumphed 10-3 while Andrew Gilmore – currently back on shore at college – had a much tighter game squeezing home 7-6. We noted that the ICA talisman – Erin Furey – was to be booked for this year but unfortunately she had to rely on her senior colleagues to seal the deal without her! Fear not- there is a surprise coming in the New Year. Watch this space!!

We are hugely appreciative that Ardrossan Castle continue to contest this fixture – first played as far back as 1861 when the prize was a RCCC medal struck for the Belfast Curling Club. The teams now contest the beautiful wooden trophy fashioned by Ardrossan curler Donnie Sheddon for the fixture.

We look forward to continuing this historic association next year.

European ‘B’ Gold for Ireland in 2007 – left to right – Neil Fyfe, PJ Wilson, Robin Gray, Peter Wilson, Tony Tierney and coach Ron Myers.

Exactly 10 years ago on December 7th, 2007, Ireland won it’s first curling gold medal at the European Championships in Fussen, Germany, when the men’s team of Peter Wilson, Robin Gray, Neil Fyfe, PJ Wilson and Tony Tierney, plus coach Ron Myers won the B League.

The Irish team went through the round-robin undefeated, beating Belgium, Holland, Iceland, Greece, Austria and Spain before taking down Latvia in the semi-final, taking a four in the fifth end to ease themselves to a 9-7 win. The gold was then secured in a one-sided game against Spain.

The team had no time to celebrate as they then had to prepare for the best of three challenge with the Czech Republic for the last place at the 2008 World Championships. This was their third game in one day and it was a game too far. After taking the Czechs to an extra-end in the first game they lost two in a row and the Czech Republic went to the worlds the following year.

Happy days for the Irish in fabulous Fussen! Seems like yesterday……….