Click here to return to News and Events.

Roundup of news from the different sports

October 2009

Ten Pin Bowling

The bowlers travelled recently to play in Cork. They bowled twice while there and also had time to do some shopping, sightseeing and to celebrate the birthday of one player during the weekend. There were 7 players and their coaches. The group included players from Mayo, Wexford, and Dublin. The group from Dublin were joined by some people who live in Cork. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. The group are looking forward to their next trip away and further events in Europe will occur in 2010. For further information contact Jim Harding the Bowling co-ordinator. The group ran a very successful fundraising day at Dun Laoghaire Shoping Centre recently. – well done to them.

Rowing

Congratulations to Shane Ryan from Limerick, who is an IBS member, and to Sarah Caffrey from Cork, currently living in the UK, who represented Ireland in the coxed fours team that won their B final in a fantastic race at the World Championships in Poland. All visually impaired wear black out goggles while rowing competitively so that they are all equal and row in a team boat. Adaptive rowing is a developing sport and always welcomes new people interested in becoming involved. Several clubs throughout the country have adaptive rowing on offer. For further information contact the office or Joe Cunningham at adaptive@iaru.ie

Golf

Well done to the members of the Irish Golf team who recently beat Scotland in the 2009 Celtic Cup at Massarene G.C. in Co. Antrim. A combined Ireland team, 4 players from NIBGA and 2 from IBGS along with their coaches won 2 of the greensomes matches and halved the third on the first day. Team captain Tommy Reidy and three time British Open champion Sam Smyth won easily. Wally Roode and Paul O’Rahilly hung on to defeat their opponents on the 17th. Jan Dinsdale and Drew Cochrane halved their match. Six singles matches were played on the second day and wins by Tommy, Jan and Sam on the second day secured victory for Ireland. The return match will take place in Scotland in 2010 and in 2011 Irish Blind Golf Society (IBGS) will host the event.

Athletics

The athletics group from St Joseph’s are back at training in Santry. Any athlete interested in training regularly or competing in the future is welcome to join them on Tuesday evenings between 6-7pm where Joe and Bernie Walsh continue to put in trojan efforts. The t racks are being relaid and a perfect running surface is expected in the future. If you are unable to make this session please contact the office and we will facilitate you in contacting clubs or coaches in your own locality.

Football / Futsal

The football squad are approaching the end of their season at the end of October and then rest until the new season begins in January 2010. The team have moved to Ballymun Arena for training. It is a better facility for visually impaired players, being purpose built for Futsal and has only one set of lines on the floor. Next year the team expect to play in a couple of leagues against able voided opposition. Anyone interested is welcome to come along and try their hand at 5 a side.

Cycling

Elite competition continues a pace at Paralympic level with Catherine Walsh, Michael Delaney and Andrew Fitzgerald attending the Paralympic Track World Championships in Manchester in November and we wish them well. Cycling Ireland is expecting to appoint a new Development Squad Coach shortly and all those tandem cyclists around the country should expect some more news by the New Year. Many members around the country are discovering the benefit and pleasure of tandem cycling as a recreational activity if they have no interest in competitive cycling.