Two of Ireland's entries for the 2013 Association Croquet World Championships began preparation for the August tournament in Nottingham this weekend, competing in the Championships of the East Midlands (with the familiar draw-and-process format used in the Railway cup event in the Co. Dublin Championships). The event had a strong entry and was sure to provide a good test for both Irish Johnstons (Andrew and Danny).

Following this year's AGM, the CAI Council is now short of volunteers for two key posts; secretary and treasurer. Having received no motions, we would now once again appeal to members of the CAI to put themselves forward for these positions. If anyone would like any information as to the nature of the roles, please do not hesitate to contact the outgoing treasurer, Daniel Johnston, at bidanjfoo@hotmail.com.
Thank you for your ongoing support.

19th July is the closing date and the organisers would appreciate timely entries.
Lots of visitors are expected this year, which will add to the tournament.
Information and entry form are available at this link:
http://www.carrickmines.com/Croquet/2013_Irish_Championships

Ireland won the home internationals for only the 4th time in the events 34 year history. Ireland's last victory coming in 2001. The Irish team captained by Andrew Johnston made the best of the home advantage and the sun to secure an early lead with a 5-0 victory over Scotland on Saturday. England played late into the evening to scrape home 3-2 victors over Wales, leaving many of the round two matches to finish on the final day.

IRELAND REGAIN THE APPLETON TROPHY WITH A NARROW VICTORY.
This handsome trophy has been played for since 1987. Ireland last won it in 2010, so the team was determined to use home advantage to regain it this year..
The Irish team consisted of Ronan Rogerson, Nathaniel Healy (C), Jane Morrison, Evan Newell, Alan Looney and Joe McGowan and were facing Campbell Morison, Bill Spalding, Fergus McInnes, Robert Inder, Janice Duguid and Hamish Duguid. The format consisted of doubles and singles, with a structure to ensure that the team internal rankings played each other.

The 2013 Silver Medal was contested in Carrickmines C C on the 18/19th of May.
This is one of the CAI's top-tier events, and it provided the first AC tournament play of the season for several members of the Irish test team, as well as players playing against Scotland for the Appleton the following week. The tournament was also the first Irish event to employ the new croquetscores.com service provided by Tim Murphy. Scores were live online seconds as soon as they were in the managers hand!

The international rankings for Golf Croquet are now available and a page showing the Irish players has been added to this website, showing the Irish rankings.
There should be a link on the left of the home page and another under the Home/Information tab at the top of each page. I hope to be able to keep this list up to date and make its formatting a little more like the ranking list for Association Croquet.

Current AC World Champion Reg Bamford has won the 2013 GC World Championships, become the first person ever to hold both titles simultaneously. To view a full commentary of what was by all accounts a truly spectacular final, see the CA site (http://croquet.org.uk/?p=/news/newsdb.asp&NewsID=4457).
Congratulations also to the Irish contingent, 3 of whom reached the knockout stages. Special mention to Jack Clingan who placed 5th overall in his debut World Championships, a hugely impressive result. Click Read mode for photo of his medal.

Jack Clingan has reached the quarter final of the World Golf Croquet Championship where he will play Reg Bamford. Follow the results on: www.croquetscores.com

Jack Clingan, former World bronze medallist Evan Newell, and former Irish Champions Ed Cunningham and Simon Williams travel to Cairo this week for the World Golf Croquet Championship. The current World Champion and World No1 Mark McInerney is not defending his title. Follow the results on: www.croquetscores.com