Ed Cunningham won the CAI Silver Medal over the May Bank Holiday weekend with 11 wins out of 14 games. This was Ed's second win in 3 years. 2nd place was split between Mark McInerney, Simon Williams and Andrew Johnston. Alan McInerney was 5th, Patsy Fitzgerald 6th, Gerard Healy 7th and Evan Newall 8th.
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FINAL POSITION IRISH SILVER MEDALS 30-Apr to 2-May-2005 |
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| Name | Current Position | Games played | Won | Lost | Triples | TPO | QP | |||
| Ed Cunningham | 1 | 14 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 1 | ||||
| Mark McInerney | 2 = | 14 | 9 | 5 | 6 | |||||
| Simon Williams | 2 = | 14 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 1 | ||||
| Andrew Johnston | 2 = | 14 | 9 | 5 | 4 | |||||
| Alan McInerney | 5 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
1 |
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| Patsy Fitzgerald | 6 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 2 | |||||
| Gerard Healy | 7 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 1 | |||||
| Evan Newell | 8 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 0 | |||||
| 56 | 27 | 2 | 1 | |||||||
SEE FULL DETAILED RESULTS HERE
Match Report (Evan Newall)
Another strong contest for the Silver Medal with most players under the
impression that the honour would soon be theirs. Palaeontologically steeped Mark
looked invincible after winning his first four games in double quick time but
then faltered against brother Alan in a long game, a result that was to be
repeated for the second half of the draw. But Alan had already blotted his copy
book by a single hoop in round three against Andrew and this precipitated a five
way challenge with Patsy not far behind and regretting the ravages of pessimism
on day one.
But slow starter Ed then proceeded to put together a string of 6 straight wins
including all games on day two proving it is always a mistake to underestimate
mountain walking and a supporters club as aids to winning croquet.Those who had
dismissed the chances of the old champ now watched him stretch two games clear
and this proved too much for the chasing pack despite raising their tripling
rate to over 50% . Ed maintained his advantage to the line on day three despite
a scare against Evan who had at that stage managed to win remarkably few games.
Simon, Andrew and Alan all had their chances but failure to complete triples at
this standard is punished. Gerard also could have notched up more wins with
completed triples and showed he is a competitive player on the way up.
The lawns were undoubtedly playing easily, and faster more challenging
conditions can be expected later in the year. However it is noteworthy the speed
that games are being completed and a lesson to all slow players. Times were kept
for every game of the 56 played and the overall average was 1 hour 20 minutes
with Mark averaging 64 minutes a game and Ed not far behind with 65 minutes.
So, the old champ has become the new champ again and thus concluded an essential
and encouraging early start for the Irish team players that will culminate in
August at the August World Championships in England.
Good luck to all concerned.