Irish players make it to the ‘final weekend’ semis

Two ICA members were in top form last weekend at the traditional ‘final weekend’ at Stranraer Ice Rink.

Fiona (extreme right) and Peter (fifth from the right) photographed with the other finalists before the games started.

Fiona Turnbull, playing in Michael Sutherland’s rink, beat Peter Wilson and his team in the 3/4 place play-off on the Sunday afternoon, both teams having been beaten in the morning’s semi-finals. The winners were Neil Kennedy’s rink, who beat his fellow Ayr-based opponents Robert Clark and team in the 1/2 final.

International Mixed Doubles in Dumfries

The MD Irish champions

The International Mixed Doubles has started today in Dumfries, Scotland. The Irish Mixed Doubles Champions (Eoin McCrossan & Jen Ward) are competing with 23 other teams for a $4,900 purse.

Up to date scores etc. are on the World Curling Website.

It is an ideal event for Eoin & Jen to compete in prior to the World Mixed Doubles in Sweden next month.

Closing bonspiel winners

James, David, Margarita and Bill with their prizes.

Congratulations to James Russell, Bill Gray, Margarita Sweeney-Baird and David Hume who won the ICA closing bonspiel at Greenacres today.

Six rinks were on the ice with many members staying on for the annual general meeting in Gateside Hall and the meal in the pub afterwards.

Results:

Johnjo Kenny 7 Andrew Gilmore 6; James Russell 10 Arran Cameron 8; Marie O’Kane 5 John Furey 5.

New Irish Mixed Champions 2018

John Wilson, Jen Ward, David Whyte (presenting), Eoin McCrossan and Erin Furey

An exciting playdowns for the Irish Mixed title at Greenacres Ice Rink on Saturday 10th March 2018.

The new Irish Mixed Champions for 2018 are:

  • John Wilson (skip),
  • Jen Ward, 
  • Eoin McCrossan and 
  • Erin Furey.

The first game swung on a 7th end take-out which was missed twice by the opposing skip, James Russell. Skip John Wilson made impressive draw shots against large heads on several ends.

In the second game, the most notable shots were Erin freezing several on button and Eoin lifting two consecutive double takeouts.

The first 2 games were won by team Wilson in a  best of 3 format, so thay can represent Ireland at the World Mixed Championships later in the year – date & venue still to be decided.

This was a debut playdowns for 12 year old Erin Furey (daughter of Irish Mens Team player, John Furey) who curled beautifully and clearly enjoyed herself.

Clearly Erin has aspirations ….

Mixed playdowns this weekend

Good luck to the two teams who have entered the Irish Mixed Championships this weekend at Greenacres.

James Russell skips the rink of Katie Kerr, Craig Whyte and Ailsa Anderson who will play a best of three against John Wilson, Jen Ward, Eoin McCrossan and, making her playdown debut………Erin Furey!

Game times are 10am and 3pm Saturday, 10th March and at 9.30am on the Sunday, if required.

The winners will represent Ireland at the World Mixed Championships later in the year.

Blast from the past – original members

From time to time it’s interesting to look through the old ICA archives, compiled by Jane Paterson. Before the digital age overtook us all, printed photos of ICA events were filed away by Jane and this particular photo takes us back to the very beginning and the members of the Northern Ireland Curling Association which existed briefly before it was decided to make the association inclusive of the Four Provinces of Ireland.

The date is unknown but perhaps some of those young things from the north in the photograph could get in touch and fill us in?

So, from left to right  we have – John Burns, Tony Tierney, Jim Winning, Liz Knox, Fiona Turnbull, Gordon McIntyre, Susan Scotland and Carolyn Hibberd.