Ian McClure and Chris Mulholland deliver a milestone episode featuring historic achievements and behind-the-scenes insights into Irish bowls.
The hosts open with a detailed review of the Para International Series at Leamington Spa, where Ireland participated for the first time, marking a significant moment in the development of Irish para bowls. They analyze the performances and discuss what this participation means for the future of the sport.
The conversation then turns to the current state of this year's Irish Cup competitions, with all three categories - senior, intermediate, and junior cups - having reached the exciting semi-final stages. The hosts provide comprehensive coverage of the progress across all three competitions and offer their predictions for the upcoming semi-final matches.
The episode's first guest segment features the remarkable husband and wife duo Gary and Donna McCloy, who achieved the extraordinary feat of both reaching 100 caps for Ireland during the same international series. This historic milestone makes them a unique couple in Irish bowls history. The McCloys share their journey to this achievement and reveal major news about their careers that will captivate listeners.
The conversation with the McCloys also covers their triumphant Irish Cup success last year, winning the competition for the first time, and discusses their impressive current run in this year's competition as they aim to defend their title.
The second guest segment shifts focus to the administrative heart of Irish bowls, featuring Jennifer Dowds (IWBA Secretary) and Colin Campbell (IBA Secretary). These dedicated officials provide valuable insights into their crucial roles within the sport, revealing the complexities and challenges of managing bowls at the highest level. They discuss the day-to-day responsibilities that keep Irish bowls functioning smoothly, from organizing competitions to managing player selections and coordinating with international bodies. The conversation explores what they bring to the game beyond administration, their current initiatives to grow and improve the sport, and their ambitious hopes for the future development of Irish bowls. Listeners get a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work that makes elite competition possible.
From historic para bowls participation to administrative vision, and from personal milestones to cup competition excitement, this episode captures the diverse elements that drive Irish bowls forward.
