PÉTANQUE

IRELAND WIN THE CELTIC CHALLENGE

The sixteenth Celtic Challenge in pétanque (French Boule)was held over the weekend of 29/30/April in the ALSAA sports centre in Swords, Co. Dublin. This is an annual international event held between Wales, Scotland and Ireland, and is an important feature in the calendars of the three nations.

Ireland was the host this year, and the Celtic Challenge was held for the first time in the Dublin area. Trevor Sargent, the local T.D. for the area, opened the event, and threw the first boule.

Ireland A won the event, after a six year drought, with Scotland second and Wales third. The decisive move over the weekend was on Saturday when Ireland A took 7 of the 8 matches against Scotland. They consolidated this on Sunday morning to eventually defeat Scotland by 11 games to 5. On Sunday Ireland went on to win by a margin of 9 games to 7 over Wales. Scotland beat Wales by 9 games to 7. Tournament director for the event was Richard Elvin.