This year there have been some significant developments in Herbert Park. The pavilion, adjacent to our lawns, which previously housed the bowling club and pretty basic changing rooms and toilets has been rebuilt. It continues to include the bowling club but the other half of the building is now a cafe plus three decent, if narrow, toilets. A patio outside will have additional tables for the cafe which at present (mid-July 2015) remains unopened. ..cont..

HPCC took on Canterbury Croquet Club - Saturday and Sunday morning were dedicated to association croquet and we are delighted to have come out the winners!

HPCC hosted an International between Ireland and Belgium. The results 6:2 to Ireland in Association and 3:2 to Belgium in Golf meant Ireland were the overall winners. The sun shone, Belgian chocolates and Flemish biscuits were eaten and everyone had a great weekend! We wish Caroline Denny (BEL) the best of luck in the Women's AC World Championship 2015 which will be held later this month. Picture and results below.

A reminder that entries for the Irish Open Association Croquet Championships close on 20th July.

On 28 June 2015 the Strokestown Croquet Club provided an entertaining break between lectures at the First Annual Irish Famine Summer School. Held in Strokestown Park, students and lecturers came from North America and other regions. Club members wore vintage dress in keeping with the historic theme. Skirts and hats were provided in addition to mallets and balls to students who wanted to try a swing or two.
Picture below.

England convincingly won the Home Internationals Tournament in Glasgow last weekend, 13-14th June 2015.
Ireland were under pressure and only a great win by Jane in her third game against her Scottish opponent late on Sunday saved Ireland from the ignominy of the Wooden Spoon.
Read on for full match results.

Evan Newell has written a report of his experiences during the World Golf Championships in New Zealand. In particular, he discusses the effect of using the Atkins hoops, new to the Irish team, but now in common use in New Zealand. In addition to this discussion Evan has some interesting description of the excellent standard of play in the final rounds of the competition.
A reply commentary by Chris Clarke is appended which stresses the importance of being familiar with the hoops and balls to be used in a tournament.
Read it at www.croquetireland.com/cai/docs/2015-Evan.Maunganui.Report.pdf

The result of the Appleton Trophy between the Croquet Association of Ireland and the Scottish Croquet Association was a win for the CAI by 15 games to 7. Photos and comment below.

A full list of the results of these games can be seen at
http://croquetscores.com/2015/ac/cai-v-sca-appleton-trophy/cai-vs-sca

Campbell Mossison, the SCA captain, has written a very interesting report on the match at
https://www.scottishcroquet.org.uk/index.php/competition-reports/2015/c…

The Croquet Association of Ireland are at home to the Scottish Croquet Association this coming weekend, 16th-17th May at Carrickmines Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club to contest the Appleton Trophy.
Spectators are most welcome. If you would like to follow the progress of the match and cannot be there, you can follow the results on croquetscores.com.

The entry forms for the Championships of Co Dublin and the Championships of Ireland are now available. Click on the link above in the Special Notices for full details of these open events.