B-League remains out of reach

SEMI-FINAL – IRELAND 5 SLOVENIA 6

BRONZE – IRELAND 2 SLOAVKIA 7

Team Ireland at the European Curling Championships C-Division 2021, Geneva, Switzerland – photo credit WCF

A difficult day for our men as they finish out of the medals in Geneva and Ireland’s 10-year quest to get out of the European C League continues.

The semi-final against Slovenia this morning saw the team two shots up going into the last two ends, but losing two steals of singles to their opponents forced an extra end. Again, Ireland had the hammer but lost another single and automatic qualification.

End of Ireland’s campaign for promotion – photo credit WCF

It was then time to regroup in the afternoon and play for bronze and the last qualification place against Slovenia. Unfortunately, the game did not go Ireland’s way.

Ireland’s Arran, John and Craig in action – photo credit WCF

The team have filled Irish curling fans with pride this week and they will be back. It has been a difficult time for all curlers – from all nations – and it was good to see international curling back again.

Kyle Paradis was making his debut for Ireland – photo credit WCF

Thanks John, Kyle, Arran and Craig for giving up your time to represent Ireland. ICA members are proud of you all.

Euro C – day 5

IRELAND 11 LUXEMBOURG 5

Craig Whyte, Ireland – Photo credit WCF

A terrific run of wins, including today, has put Ireland’s men into tomorrow morning’s semi-final against Slovenia. Belgium play Slovakia in the other semi. John, Kyle, Arran and Craig have worn the green with pride and carried us all on their journey.

A win tomorrow sees them both promoted to the B League and on course for gold….or silver.

Come on Ireland!

Euro C – day 4

IRELAND 6 SLOVENIA 4

IRELAND 6 ROMANIA 3

“Nailed it skipper” – Photo credit WCF

Ireland’s men are currently going great guns at the C League and on course for the podium. A two in the third and a steal of two in the fourth gave them daylight against top of the table Slovenia in the morning and a repeat in the second and third ends in tonight’s game against Romania saw them keep it tight for the win and qualification for the final stages with Belgium and Slovenia. All three countries are on a seven win – one loss record.

The boys have one round-robin game to go against Luxembourg tomorrow afternoon.

Euro C – day 3

IRELAND 8 UKRAINE 2

IRELAND 11 CROATIA 2

It’s a team game…. photo credit WCF

Ireland’s men had both their games today in the bag by the fourth end and are third in the league table.

The team are outplaying most of the opposition but face top of the table Slovenia in the morning .

Come on Ireland!

Euro C profile – Craig Whyte

Name – Craig Whyte

Age – 32

Occupation – Business valuations

Lockdown loath? – Trying to get a tee time on the golf course

Lockdown like? – A 10 second commute to work

Staycation destination? – Cairngorms

Coffee order? – Black

Best curling team to watch and learn from? – Mouat

Any competition superstitions? – Green socks

What will finally break the internet? – The new ICA website

Euro C profile – John Wilson

Name – John Wilson

Age – 35

Occupation – Teacher of Mathematics

In-turn or Out-turn? – In-turn

Best ever curling memory? – World Mixed in Aberdeen

If you had to switch careers, what job would you do? – Explorer / Travel photographer

Apart from the ICA, what website do you spend the most time on? – YouTube

Best & worst subjects at school? – Best – PE, Worst – French

Who’d be your four ideal dinner guests? – Father Jack, Dougal, Ted and Mrs Doyle.

Earliest curling related memory? – being pushed down the ice, sitting on a curling stone.

Favourite curling destination and why? – Perth … Great ice and easy to get to.

How do you relax away from work (and curling)? – running (hills and roads).

The person you most admire and why? – Ranulph Fiennes or anyone who has to carry out any feat of endurance.

Euro C profile – Arran Cameron

Name – Arran Cameron

Age – 47 and feeling it with these youngsters

Occupation – Civil Engineer doing too much paperwork

What is your favourite word – Currently it’s Nefarious

What’s your biggest fear – The Guinness running out

Last gig you went to Mad Ferret Band

The film you can watch time and time again – The Hunt for Red October

What are you best at – 🍺

The sport you won’t watch – diving, cmon it’s not a sport