Team NI have returned from competing in the 2016 World Championships and once again our players excelled with some outstanding team and individual performances. Well done and thank you to everyone who travelled down to the beautiful County of Kerry to represent NI
Mens A - The lads were fantastic finishing 3rd in the group to qualify for the Quarter Final stage beating European Champions Wales along the way. And what a result against a star studded Scotland side, a 13-10 win in a classic match took the boys to the Last 4 where they only lost out to eventual new World Champions France.
Ladies A - Jean McIlroys team topped the group losing only one match to earn an automatic spot in the Semi Finals where they agonisly lost out 13-12 to South Africa who went on to become World Champions. Our Ladies overcame England to claim Bronze in the 3rd and 4th place play off and Collette Henriksen and Michelle Roonay topped the overall scoring stats in the Ladies Section both scoring a fantastic 80%
Seniors A - A disappointing campaign after being Runners Up in Perth 2 years previous. Missed out on qualification from the group.
Masters A - Another outstanding performance to top the group with nine wins from nine matches seen Eric Sterrett's lads gain an automatic Semi Final spot where they faced neighbours Southern Ireland. Unfortunately it wasn't to be as we lost to a strong Irish team who went on to win the crown. But our lads rallied and went on to beat South Africa 13-12 to claim Bronze in the 3rd and 4th place play off. And what a week for David Drysdale, the County Down man beat all put before him to become 2016 Masters Individual World Champion and it got event better as Drysdale claimed the World Doubles crown with partner Stephen Johnston. Raymond Stockman also excelled claiming Bronze in the Individuals, all in all an unforgetable week for the Masters
Under 23s - Steven McGurn's lads qualified out of the group into the knock out stages but unfortunately lost out on a semi final spot after a narrow 13-11 defeat by Malta. But what a performance by Adam McMackin and Carl Martin, the Tyrone pairing claiming Gold in the Doubles event with fantastic pool throughout.
Under 18s - Qaulified to the knock out stages where they went on to secure a fantastic 13-12 win over South Africa to reach the Semi Finals against France. Unfortunately the lads came up short against the eventual winners but what a showing by young Oisin Wallace as the Omagh lad claimed the Silver medal in the Individuals only losing out to classy English cueist Ben Rowland.
Specials - Fantastic again from our Specials as they claimed Gold, beating reigning Champions Scotland 13-11 in a nailbiting finale. Take a bow Clifford Healy, Paddy Reid, John Brown, Alan Bell, Sammy Johnston and Philip Haveron. To add the icing to the cake Johnston/Bell and Healy/Reid took both Silver and Bronze respectively in the Doubles event.
Top of the pots for Team NI were -
Mens - Tommy Morrow 63%
Ladies - Collette Henriksen & Michelle Roonay 80%
Seniors - Brian Crilly 71.73%
Masters - Raymond Stockman, Bill McIlroy & Stephen Johnston 73%
Under 23 - Steven McGurn 56.81%
Under 18 - Oisin Wallace 60%
Specials -Alan Bell & Clifford 73%
Photos to follow
