The 2026 AC Irish Croquet Championships took place in Carrickmines over eight days, culminating in a grand finals day on Saturday 8th August.

 The event took place in largely glorious weather the sunniest in recent memory.

There were 9 trophies to be won, catering for all handicap levels.

We had some newcomers to the Championships, with two keen visitors from England, with David Beddy (Bowden) returning after his appearance at the Co. Dublin Championships in June and first-time visitor Neil George from the High Wycombe club. David continued his meteoric rise in the sport, having taken it up only four years ago to claim two wins and a runner-up prize shared with his doubles partner Neil George. We also had a welcome runner-up prize for newcomer Pei Wang, and Clair Whyms’ good win in the USCA Salver was recognised with a handicap cut from 11 to 10.

Carrickmines' own Simon Williams had an epic best-of-three battle with his old adversary from Newcastle Croquet Club in Co. Wicklow, Andrew Johnston, for the Irish title. Having lost the first 26-6, he stormed back in the second with a 26-0 triple-peel win, leading to a nail-biting finale, which he took 26-20 after 6 hours of gruelling play in the hot sunshine.  Congratulations Simon! Now leading with an historic eight National titles.

The full results were as follows.

Championship Singles Duff Mathews                Winner:    Simon Williams  
                                                                          Runner Up:   Andrew Johnston

Championship Doubles Anne Healy                  Winners:   Andy Johnston & Russell Harris
                                                                          Runners Up:  Fiachra Carroll & Danny Johnston

Handicap Singles Founders Cup                        Winner:     David Beddy
                                                                          Runner Up:    Simon Williams

Handicap Doubles Stonebrook Cups                 Winners:   Sandy Greig & Trudy Doyle
                                                                          Runners Up:  Simon Williams & Pei Wang

Alt Stroke Doubles Ann Woulfe Flanagan          Winners:   Alan Looney & Celine Reilly
                                                                          Runners Up:  David Beddy & Neil George

Green Cup (Handicaps 3-8)                                   Winner:   David Beddy
                                                                          Runner Up:    Huw Spiers

USCA Salver (Handicaps 9-14)                             Winner:    Clair Whyms
​​​​​​​                                                                          Runner Up:     Neil George

Newell Candlestick (Handicaps 15-20)                Winner:     Ann Woulfe Flanagan
​​​​​​​                                                                          Runner Up:     Celine Reilly

Plate Steele Cup                                                     Winner:    Nathaniel Healy
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​                                                                          Runner Up:     Huw Spiers