2024 A year to remember
As 2024 draws to a close, it’s time to celebrate what has been nothing short of a landmark year for pétanque on the island of Ireland! With more clubs than ever before and a growing community of players, the momentum is undeniable.
Victory on the Celtic Stage
In competitive pétanque, Ireland shone brightly this year. The Irish team clinched victory at the Celtic Challenge in Wales, proudly retaining their title. The focus now shifts to Scotland in 2025, where Ireland aims to defend the crown once again.
Making Waves in Europe
Irish pétanque also made its mark on the European stage. Bushy Park Pétanque Club delivered a stellar performance at the European Fed Cup, securing an impressive 3rd place finish. Competing against Europe’s best, the team showcased Ireland’s rising pétanque prowess and set the bar high for the future.
Record-Breaking Tournaments
Closer to home, 2024 saw record attendance at IPA tournaments, both provincial and national. This included Ireland’s inaugural precision shooting tournament and the first-ever Ladies’ tournament hosted by Park Pétanque Club, adding exciting new dimensions to the competitive calendar.
A Club Boom Across Ireland
Beyond competitions, the year’s standout achievement was the surge in new pétanque clubs across the country. Thanks to tireless volunteers, communities everywhere are embracing the game. New clubs like The Rebels in Cork, Limerick Pétanque Club, Clashmore–Kinsalebeg, and Castlebar Pétanque Club joined the IPA in 2024. And the expansion doesn’t stop there—clubs are in the works in Tramore, Wexford, Longford, and whispers of new formations in Galway and Ballina are creating a buzz!
Regional Leagues and Events
In Leinster, the first provincial league launched, featuring Cabinteely, Bayside, Marlay Park, and Seapoint. Hopes are high for more teams to join in 2025.
In Munster, Cahir Pétanque Club hosted the largest-ever Munster event, bringing together clubs from across the province.
In Connacht, an over-55s league blossomed, with clubs from Sligo, Loughnavalley, Dromod Harbour, Longford, Cavan, Monaghan, and Athlone. With Castlebar now in the mix, the league is set to grow even further.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland saw competitions in Downpatrick and the early development of a pétanque terrain in Ward Park, Bangor.
A Celebrity Spotlight
In a delightful twist, Irish pétanque will hit the small screen in the new year, showing when Falls Pétanque Club welcomed celebrity chef Fred Sirieix for a special feature last autumn. The game is truly capturing imaginations far and wide!
Cheers to a Bright Future
None of these achievements would have been possible without the dedication of IPA members, club organisers, volunteers, and players. Together, they’ve transformed pétanque into one of Ireland’s fastest-growing sport.
As we bid farewell to 2024, we extend a heartfelt merci to everyone who contributed to this phenomenal year. Here’s to a happy, safe Christmas and an even more exciting 2025 filled with new milestones, competitions, and friendships.
Vive la pétanque in Ireland!
Cabinteely PC become the first winners of the DLR Sports Partnership Winter League ‘24
15th November ‘24
What a year it’s been for pétanque in Ireland! The sport has seen incredible growth, particularly with the rise of interclub competitions that are energising clubs and players alike. While Munster has long been a trailblazer with its proven success in interclub leagues, Leinster has now stepped into the spotlight, and the results have been nothing short of spectacular.
This year, four Leinster clubs—Cabinteely, Martello (Dún Laoghaire), Marlay, and the newly formed Sea Point—came together to launch the Active Cities Dublin & DLR Sports Partnership Winter League. This groundbreaking initiative not only brought out a fierce yet friendly competitive spirit but also provided an invaluable platform for players to hone their skills in a match-play environment.
Over the course of six thrilling rounds, a total of 24 games were contested. Cabinteely emerged as the league’s dominant force, finishing with an impressive 18 wins and only 6 losses. Sea Point, showing great promise in their debut season, put up a strong fight with 14 wins and 10 losses. Marlay managed 9 wins to 15 losses, while Martello battled valiantly, closing with 7 wins and 17 losses.
The impact of this initiative goes far beyond the scoreboard. Events like this are vital to keeping the momentum of pétanque alive and thriving. They strengthen club camaraderie, attract fresh faces to the sport, and provide a competitive edge that helps players develop and grow. With the invaluable support of DLR Sports Partnership, this league is set to become an annual fixture, and who knows? It might just evolve into a full-blown Leinster Interclub Championship.
A massive congratulations to Cabinteely for not just claiming victory but for being pioneers in this exciting new chapter of Irish pétanque. Here’s to more leagues, more rivalries, and more pétanque magic across the country!
Marlay hosting Cabinteely in Marlay Park
Cabinteely PC members
Cabinteely PC & Marlay PC
CEP European Cup for Clubs 2024
Park Pétanque Club Delivers a Historic Performance on the European Stage
11th November ‘24
It was a weekend for the history books as Park Pétanque Club showcased Irish pétanque on one of the biggest stages in Europe, the prestigious CEP European Cup for Clubs 2024 in Sin-le-Noble, France. Competing among Europe’s elite, Park Pétanque Club returned to this competition for only the second time, following their memorable bronze finish in the Federation Cup during 2020’s pandemic-hit tournament in Angouleme. Back then, Denis Nightingale led the team of Colin Delaney, Owen Kelleher, Sariff Antooaroo, Kathleen Faye, Terry Greene, and Samir Ouzougagh.
This year, a determined Irish team stepped up, with Kathleen Fay, Rachel Gleeson, Colin Delaney (Captain), Roberto Ciara (Chef d”Equipe), Stephane Voinot, Kevin Meniel, Sariff Antooaroo, Dandeea Nundrum, and Devendra Dabeedoal facing a powerhouse group. Drawn alongside France’s reigning champions, Frejus—home to world-class players like Diego Rizzi, Stephane Robineau, and Dylan Rocher—as well as Jersey and Latvia, Ireland knew they were up against some of the best in the sport.
And what a start they had! Ireland kicked off their campaign with a commanding 23-8 victory over Jersey, a team that had previously bested England in the Home Nations, making this win especially sweet for the Irish. Next, they braced themselves for the challenge of Frejus, and while most expected a French sweep, the Irish trio of Sariff, Stephane, and Kevin pulled off a stunning 13-8 win in a triples match against the French legends, securing five points and etching their names into Irish pétanque history.
Heading into the next round, Ireland held a 22-point lead over rivals Latvia, who had struggled earlier against Jersey and France. A strong finish against Latvia would have propelled Ireland to the top-tier knockout stages, where they’d face off against the likes of Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Luxembourg, Italy, and other pétanque powerhouses. However, despite their impressive start, Ireland’s luck turned as they narrowly missed out on a spot in the premier group, finishing third. France topped the group with nine points, while Latvia, Ireland, and Jersey each wrapped up with three, in a nail-biting contest for second place.
The setback didn’t dampen Ireland’s fighting spirit. Entering the Federation Cup’s knockout stages, Park Pétanque Club faced off against fierce competition from countries such as Lithuania, Croatia, Jersey, Denmark, and Ukraine. Dominating their Celtic rivals Wales with an 18-8 victory, the Irish advanced to the quarterfinals, where they faced Slovakia, who had decisively defeated Scotland 19-2 in the prior round. With sheer determination, Ireland overcame Slovakia 16-10, securing a spot in Sunday’s semifinals.
On the final day, Ireland went up against Finland in a high-stakes semifinal showdown. Despite their valiant effort, their tournament journey came to an end with an 18-8 loss. Finland advanced to the Federation Cup final, ultimately facing Denmark, who would go on to claim the title. Meanwhile, France’s Frejus retained their Eurocup title by defeating Switzerland in the premier competition final.
Park Pétanque Club’s performance marked a monumental milestone for Irish pétanque, shining a spotlight on the sport’s growing strength in Ireland. Competing without the financial resources of their European counterparts, the Irish team’s professionalism and tenacity captivated supporters from across Ireland and Europe. Their achievements, shared on YouTube and social media, drew fans from far and wide, establishing Park Pétanque Club as a formidable name on the European stage.
Congratulations to Park Pétanque Club on their remarkable journey and third-place finish, and here’s to seeing more Irish teams representing Ireland in 2025!
(Front row): Roberto, Rachel, Colin and Kevin, (Back row): Kathleen, Devendra, Randeea, Sariff & Stephane
The team receiving their 3rd place FedCup trophy
European Cup results table
FedCup results table
Ireland V France
Team photo with France
Team photo with Jersey
Team photo with Slovakia
Stephane in action against France
CEP Medal
Colin Presenting an Irish Jersey to CEP delegate, Jana Lazarova
Colin Presenting an Irish Jersey to the President of Douaisis Petanque Club
Precision Shooting Makes Its Debut in Dublin
September 23rd ‘24
In a groundbreaking moment for the Irish Petanque Association (IPA), the first-ever Precision Shooting Tournament took place on Sunday, September 22nd, at Bushy Park in Dublin. This event marked a significant milestone, giving organizers and participants a thrilling taste of what competitive pétanque shooting is all about.
With 12 players originally signed up, eight fierce competitors stepped up to test their skills: Papo, Sylver Breteche, Sujeet Roopchand, Yaan Nallan, Ciaran Walsh, Dirk Starz, Stephane Voinot, and Tom Mc Phillips. The tournament was organized by Sylver, with a big assist from Eoin Kelleher and his brother Peter, who set up two throwing lanes and managed the resetting of target boules. Competitors themselves took on refereeing duties and kept track of scores, making it a true community effort.
The first round, played under CEP precision shooting rules, saw every player putting their shooting prowess to the test. Here’s how the standings shook out:
Papo: 16 pts
Sylver: 14 pts
Sujeet: 6 pts
Yaan: 20 pts
Ciaran: 8 pts
Dirk: 9 pts
Stephane: 18 pts
Tom: 25 pts
As the dust settled, the top four—Tom, Yaan, Stephane, and Papo—advanced to the semifinals, with random pairings adding extra drama to the contest. With only one shot allowed at distances of 6m, 7m, 8m, and 9m, tensions ran high. In the first semifinal, Tom took on Yaan, while Stephane squared off against Papo. The results were a testament to nerves of steel:
Tom: 9 pts
Yaan: 27 pts
Stephane: 27 pts
Papo: 16 pts
In a high-stakes final, Stephane outdueled Yaan 13-7 to claim the inaugural title, while Tom edged Papo 13-10 in the bronze medal match. Stephane and Yaan's impressive semifinal score of 27 points each set a national benchmark for future tournaments.
For all participants, many of whom had never competed in a precision shooting event before, this was an eye-opening experience. Lessons were learned on both the player and organizational fronts, ensuring next year’s competition will be even more competitive and smoother to run.
Congratulations to Stephane, the historic first-place champion, Yaan, the runner-up, and Tom, who secured third place. The bar has been set, and it’s safe to say the future of precision shooting in Ireland looks bright!
A final mention must go to Robbie Brereton, of Cavan Petanque Club who designed and made the amazing trophy. It is an outstanding piece, beautifully made and very unique. Thanks Robbie!
Back Row: Ciaran, Stephane, Sylver, Owen, Yaan, FR), Tom, Dirk, Pepo & Sujeet
Tom in action with Owen umpiring
Semifinalists, Tom, Papo, Stephane, Yaan
Pepo in action, with Dirk umpiring for foot faults.
Ciaran in action with Peter and Dirk looking on
Tom, Stephane & Yaan
Celtic Challenge Qualifiers ‘24
20th September ‘24
Last Sunday, Cavan Pétanque Club in Belturbet was the stage for an electrifying day of competition as the Celtic Challenge qualifiers unfolded! Ten determined teams arrived, all gunning for the ultimate prize: a coveted spot on the Irish national team, set to compete at the 2025 Celtic Challenge in Scotland.
With tension mounting, teams battled fiercely across six intense rounds, with each game clocking in at 50 minutes plus a final end. But it was the final round that had everyone on the edge of their seats, delivering a flurry of high-octane action and some massive scorelines from four of the five games!
When the dust settled and the boules stopped rolling, the teams that secured their places on the national squad were:
A1: Stéphane Voinot, Coline Delaney, Sariff Antooaroo
A2: Ashok Somiak, Rishi, Afzal, Navin
A3: Vik, Kévin Meniel, Papo, Roberto Caira
A4: Vincent Bellingard, Gregory Novaresio, Vikash
A massive congratulations to the successful squads, and we wish them every success as they carry Ireland’s hopes into the Celtic Challenge in Scotland next year! Keep an eye on these teams – they’re primed to make waves!
results
Action shot from Cavan
Action shot from Cavan
Colin, Sariff, and Stephane
Kevin, Papo, Vik & Roberto
Action shot from Cavan
Billy pointing
Ashok Somiak, Rishi, Afzal, Navin
Sylver, Viikash, Vincet (Greg)
Rebels Triumph in a Thrilling Finale: The 3rd Munster Interclub Championship Delivers Unforgettable Drama!"
2nd September ‘24
Last Sunday, September 1st, the 3rd Munster Interclub Championship delivered a thrilling day of pétanque that left spectators and players alike on the edge of their seats. What began in 2021 with just three teams, thanks to the vision of Jimmy Di Fusco, has now blossomed into a fiercely competitive event featuring eight determined teams. This year’s championship, hosted by the Cahir Pétanque Club, was a showcase of precision, strategy, and sportsmanship.
Cahir Pétanque Club went above and beyond in their preparations, providing two diverse playing terrains that put every competitor’s skills to the test. The club’s meticulous attention to detail did not go unnoticed, from the seamless parking arrangements to the well-equipped dining hall offering complimentary teas and coffees. The scoreboards with measuring tapes and large LED timers exemplified their commitment to creating an exceptional experience, setting a new standard for future hosts.
The weather was nothing short of perfect, setting the stage for an epic showdown among Cahir PC, Tipperary PC, Frankfield, Waterford PC, The Rebels PC, and the newly formed Clashmore/Kinsalbeg PC. With Cahir and Tipperary fielding two teams each, the competition was fierce as the eight teams clashed in singles, doubles, and triples matches.
After a randomized draw, two groups were formed, each battling it out on separate terrains. Points were hard-earned, with 1 point awarded for singles victories, 3 for doubles, and 5 for triples. In one group, Waterford triumphed over Cahir 1, securing their spot in the Claret Jug final, while The Rebels dominated Frankfield to claim their place in the final showdown.
In the Wooden Spoon semifinals, the eight-week-old Clashmore/Kinsalbeg team made waves by defeating Tipperary PC 2, advancing to face Frankfield, who had bested Tipperary PC 1. Frankfield emerged victorious, claiming the Wooden Spoon in a tightly contested match.
But all eyes were on the Waterford Vikings vs. Rebels final on the other terrain. The Rebels surged ahead early, but Waterford’s 11-year-old prodigy, Morgan, showcased his extraordinary talent, leveling the score with some spectacular pointing. As the clock ticked down and tension mounted, Waterford held a slim 10-9 lead when time was called. In a dramatic final end, The Rebels’ Fred delivered a clutch last boule, sneaking past Waterford by mere millimeters to secure the 2 points needed for victory. The Rebels’ narrow triumph earned them the Claret Jug, marking the first club team trophy for their newly established squad.
The day was a celebration of the growing camaraderie among Munster’s pétanque clubs, fueled by the relentless passion of players and the organizational prowess of Jimmy Di Fusco. The 3rd Munster Interclub Championship wasn’t just a tournament—it was a testament to the exciting future of pétanque in Munster. The buzz is already building for next year’s event, as new players and clubs eagerly await their shot at glory.
Group Photo
Action from the park terrain
Clashmore / Kinsalbeg Watching on
Waterford’s Beatrice preparing for play
Waterford’s Morgan watching anxiously
Tipperary town V Waterford
The Rebels first place winners
Frankfield, Wooden Spoon Winners
Clashmore / Kinsalbeg in action
Geese taking a gander at Petanque
Cahir & Clashmore battling it out
Preparing for the final
Waterford taking a break
Tipperary Town V Waterford
Cathal O Boyle from The Rebels with the winning trophy
Waterford 2nd place
Final results
Belfast Linen Quarter BID Competition ‘24
30th August ‘24
Chest, Heart and Stroke Crowned 2024 Champs!
In a thrilling series of knockout fixtures, 28 organizations from the LQ BID went head-to-head for a spot in the final of the 2nd LQ BID Annual Pétanque Competition. Belfast City Centre buzzed with excitement as spectators were treated to a masterclass in pétanque, with participants delivering shots that even Diego Rizzi would envy.
On Wednesday, August 28th, Chest, Heart and Stroke emerged as the undisputed champions, claiming victory along with a bespoke trophy crafted by the IPA and designed by the talented Robbie Brereton. Their triumph was sweetened with a £250 voucher for the Observatory Bar at the Grand Central Hotel.
A special shoutout to Invest NI for a hard-fought second place and a big round of applause to all the participants who dazzled Belfast with their incredible skills. We can’t wait to see everyone back on the courts next year!
Boules Blitz Delivers Thrills at Frankfield Pétanque Club
30th August ‘24
This past weekend, Frankfield Pétanque Club in Cork played host to the annual Boules Blitz, a two-day spectacle that saw 22 teams from across Ireland, England, Wales, and France bring their A-game to the competition. The event was marked by spirited camaraderie, thrilling matches, and an impressive display of skill that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
Despite a brief thunder shower, the weather held up nicely, setting the stage for a weekend of top-tier pétanque. Saturday’s action kicked off with a random draw, splitting the teams into three groups for a round-robin showdown. The results determined which teams would advance to Sunday’s elite Premier Group, vie for glory in the Gold Shield, or compete in the Frankfield Cup and Doubles Competition.
Sunday’s matches were nothing short of intense. In the Premier Group, it was the dynamic duo of Sariff and Stephane from Park Pétanque Club who stole the show. With impeccable precision and unbeatable consistency, they dominated the competition, not dropping a single game all weekend. The battle for second place was fierce, with Tom and Cyrill, Vincent and Jack, and Colin and Kevin all neck-and-neck heading into the final round. Ultimately, Sariff and Stephane clinched victory in the final against Vincent and Jack, while Colin and Kevin edged out Tom and Cyrill to secure third place.
In the secondary group, the Frankfield Cup, locals, Breda and Jackie had an outstanding run, but it was the Welsh visitors, Tansy and Paul Mayfield, who triumphed in a hard-fought final. The Boules Brothers, Barra and Paul, showcased their talent by finishing third, with the newly formed Rebel Pétanque Club’s Phillippe and Romain rounding out the top four.
The Doubles Competition saw 10 teams split into two groups of five. Sylver and Frank, the Northern brothers, were unstoppable in Group 1, winning all five of their matches. They faced off against Cathal and Fred of the Rebel Pétanque Club, Cork, in the final, where the Breteche Brothers proved too strong for the home side. Angela and Ararat of Tramore Pétanque Club secured third place, overcoming Penny and Peter Hay from the UK, who finished fourth.
The weekend was made possible by the generous sponsorship of Summerhill Construction Limited, who backed the Frankfield Cup, and On the Pig’s Back, who provided hampers for the top four finishers in the Premier and secondary groups. Ryan's SuperValu Grange added to the excitement with a fabulous raffle hamper.
A special thanks goes out to the Ryan Family of Frankfield House for the use of their exceptional facilities, and to Jim Ryan and the entire Frankfield Pétanque Club team for organizing a tournament that will be remembered for years to come. The Boules Blitz once again proved why it’s one of the most anticipated events on the Irish pétanque calendar!
All Players pointing to Patricia FPC President
Sunday Morning action
Taking shelter from the thunderstorm
Cathal and Beatrice in banter
Action on the pistes
Post Tournament Pints and Prize giving
Gold Shield, Premier group prize giving
All Prizes presented by Patricia Murray, President of Frankfield PC
Sariff Antooaroo & Stephane Voinot 1st
Jack Di Pizzo & Vincent Belingard 2nd
Colin Delaney & Kevin Menial 3rd
Tom Mc Phillips & Cyril Julien 4th
The Frankfield Cup, secondary group prize giving
Tansy & Paul Mayfield 1st with Jim O Sullivan & Patricia Murray
Breda Noonan & Jackie Broderick 2nd with Jim O Sullivan & Patricia Murray
Paul Baxter & Barra O’ hEireamhoin 3rd
Romain Beretti & Philippe Udron 4th
The Doubles Competition, tertiary group prize giving
Franck & Sylver Breteche 1st
Fred Subtil & Cathal O’ Boyle 2nd
Angela & Ararat Alekseeva 3rd
Penny & Peter Hey 4th
Cavan Pétanque Club Crowned Champions
at Thrilling Inaugural Interclub National Tournament
19th August ‘24
Marlay Park was alive with excitement last Saturday as it played host to the first-ever Interclub National Tournament, bringing together 5 pétanque clubs from across the country. The competition was fierce, with teams from Park Pétanque Club, Cavan Pétanque Club, Bayside Boule Club, Ormeau Pétanque Club, and Dromod Harbor battling it out for national glory.
In Group A, it was a clash of titans as Cavan Pétanque Club, Park Pétanque Club, and Ormeau Pétanque Club went head-to-head. Cavan Pétanque Club emerged as the group’s dominant force, securing first place and advancing to the final. Ormeau Pétanque Club fought hard to clinch second, earning them a spot in the third-place decider.
Over in Group B, it was Dromod Harbor versus Bayside Boule Club in a showdown that saw Bayside claim victory and advance to the final.
The tournament’s unique format added to the drama, with six singles matches (one point each), three doubles matches (three points each), and two triples matches (two points each) determining the ultimate winners. In a nail-biting final, Cavan Pétanque Club faced off against Bayside Boule Club, while Dromod Harbor and Ormeau Pétanque Club locked horns in the battle for third place.
When the dust settled, it was Cavan Pétanque Club who stood tallest, claiming the inaugural title and etching their name in the history books. Bayside Boule Club took home a hard-earned second place, while Ormeau Pétanque Club rounded out the podium in third.
Final Standings: 1st: Cavan Pétanque Club
2nd: Bayside Boule Club
3rd: Ormeau Pétanque Club
Congratulations to all the winners and participants who made this tournament a resounding success. A special shoutout goes to Marlay Park for providing the perfect setting, and to Sylver for his exceptional organizational skills that kept the event running smoothly.
The Interclub National Tournament has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting annual tradition in the world of Irish pétanque.
Pretournament Announcements
3rd place winners Ormeau Petanque Club
Bayside Boules Club
2nd place winners Bayside Boules Club
Winners Cavan Petanque Club
Thrilling Showdown at IPA Doubles Final in Bushy Park
30th June 24
Yesterday, Bushy Park in Dublin was the battlefield for the IPA Doubles Final, where the finest players from Ireland's four provinces clashed for national glory. The weather was nothing short of a nightmare, with relentless downpours turning the ground into a swamp and leaving players drenched. Despite the deluge, the competitors' spirits remained unbroken, and the show went on with unwavering determination.
The competition featured two groups, with the winners set to face the runners-up in each group for a shot at the title. Group A was dominated by Tom and Yaan from Waterford Pétanque Club, while Group B saw Sariff and Stephan from Bushy Park take the top spot. In the semifinals, Terry and Vincent from Bushy Park and Griffin Valley Pétanque Club challenged the Group B winners, while Tom and Yaan faced Niam and Ally from Cavan Pétanque Club.
Niam and Ally delivered a flawless performance, defeating the Waterford duo with precision and skill. On the other side, Terry and Vincent showcased remarkable form, excelling in both pointing and shooting to overcome Sariff and Stephan.
The grand finale was an electrifying match, with Niam and Ally emerging victorious over Terry and Vincent. Their aggressive, Mauritian-style gameplay was on full display, and their impeccable shooting and pointing secured them a well-deserved championship.
Congratulations to Niam and Ally for their outstanding victory! A big thank you to Bushy Park for hosting the event, to Sylver for his impeccable organization, and to Roberto for capturing the unforgettable moments with his photography.
The wet playing conditions
Players taking shelter from the rain
Colin presenting silver Medals to Vincent and Terry
semifinalists, Ally, Niam, Tom, and Yaan
Winners Niam & Ally
IPA National Mixed Doubles ‘24
A Riveting Showdown in Dublin
The 2024 IPA Mixed Doubles tournament unfolded with much anticipation at the Park Pétanque Club in Dublin on June 1st. Participants hailed from across Ireland, representing clubs from locales as distant as Downpatrick and Waterford. Despite a few no-shows, 10 teams competed fiercely, including the defending champions, the Dungarvan duo of Jimmy and Chloe Di Fusco.
The tournament's structure featured two groups, with group winners facing the runners-up of the opposite group in the semi-finals. Victors of these matches advanced to the final, while the defeated teams contested for third and fourth place.
Tournament organization was expertly handled by Sylver, with Sariff overseeing umpiring duties. Roberto Caira captured the day's action through his lens, providing a visual testament to the event's intensity.
A sunny, dry day set the perfect stage for the competition, fostering an excellent atmosphere on the pistes. The semi-finals saw Waterford’s Tom & Beatrice clashing with Cavan’s Naim & Yasirah, while Downpatrick’s Sylver and Una squared off against Bushy Park’s Kevin and Mary.
In the thrilling final, Kevin and Mary triumphed over Naim and Yasirah. Meanwhile, Tom and Beatrice secured third place by overcoming Sylver and Una, earning crucial seeding points.
Kevin and Mary delivered an exceptional performance throughout the day. Kevin's shooting was particularly impressive, while Mary's consistent pointing played a crucial role in their victory. Despite enjoying a slight home-ground advantage, their high standard of attacking play solidified their deserved win.
Special recognition goes to the silver medalists from Cavan. It was Yasirah's first mixed doubles tournament, and although she initially struggled with the terrain, she adapted quickly. Naim showcased his precision shooting and executed a classic Mauritian attacking strategy, proving highly effective throughout the competition.
A heartfelt thanks to the Park Pétanque Club for hosting the event and to Sylver for his outstanding organizational efforts. This year's IPA Mixed Doubles was a testament to the skill and sportsmanship of all participants, promising an even more exciting tournament next year.
Winners Mary & Kevin
3rd place Beatrice & Tom in Semifinals against Naim & Yasirah
2nd place Naim & Yashirah
Players and spectators for the IPA Mixed Doubles 2024 in Park Petanque Club
Semifinalists Kevin & Mary V Una & Sylver
Sylver in action
Tom in action
Ararat in action
Members on Bayside Boules in action
IPA National Singles Final ‘24
The Singles final took place last Saturday 18th May in Bushy Park, Dublin.
12 players participated in the event, all of whom qualified from the provincial qualifiers held earlier in the year.
Munster had 4 players travelling from Waterford Pétanque Club, and the newly formed The Rebel Pétanque Club, Cork. Tom Mc Phillips, Munster Champion, and fellow club Member Ganeshan Nallan (Yaan) travelled from Waterford, while Cathal O Boyle and Olivier Chedhomme travelled from Cork.
Leinster participants included the Leinster Champion Sariff Antooaroo, Pat Morgan, Vikash, Stephane Voinot, and Roberto Caira, all from Park Pétanque Club.
The Family Breteches travelled from Down Patrick, who are members of Down Patrick Petanque Club, & Cavan Petanque, included brothers Franck, and Sylver with their father Gilles. Franck was the reigning National Champion and Ulster Champion.
Kevin and Johnny were on hand from Park Petanque Club to prepare the pistes for the days event, and were as welcoming as usual. Kevin Menial was also tasked with the job of time keeping and measuring.
Sylver Breteche the IPA Tournament director was on hand to orangise players into 2 groups for a round robin 5 game competition, with the top 2 players from each group progressing to the semifinals.
The random draw saw Tom, Sariff, Cathal, Olivier, Franck and Roberto in group 1 while Pat, Yaan, Vikash, Stephane, Gilles and Sylver in group 2.
The 40 minute timed games, and the soft heavy patchy ground of the park, was trying for some but loved by others, seeing Sariff, Franck, Vikash and Sylver all qualifying for the semifinals.
Franck came out on top against his brother Sylver, while Sariff beat Vikash to meat Franck in the Final.
Home ground perhaps was an advantage, but none the less, Sariff played outstanding all day with tremendous pointing, and accurate shooting to defeat Franck 13 – 6 to steal the title from Franck and be crowned Irish National Singles Champion 2024.
Congratulations to Sariff, and commiserations to Franck.
It was a great day all round, and the comradery, respect and friendship on the pistes was to be commended by all players.
Kevin preparing the ground
Tom & Sariff in pre tournament banter
Sylver & Franck playing the semifinals
Semifinalists Vikash & Sariff
Sylver doing his tournament director duties with a smile
The cork rebels warming up
Sariff & Vikash in Semifinals
Semifinalists Franck & Sylver
Sylver presenting Sariff with the Gold Medal and Trophy
Sylver presenting Franck with the Silver Medal
Celtic Challenge 2024
This year’s Celtic Challenge took place in Caerleon RFC Petanque Club, Wales. With high expectations from Ireland’s 2023 win, in Ireland, there was a lot of pressure on the Irish team to defend the title.
To boost the confidence of the Irish, CBRE GWS Ireland very kindly sponsored the team kit, ensuring players were looking the part, and presented well. When you look good, and feel good, then it helps to play good.
With the united green colors of the Irish team, they all traveled together, flying out of Dublin airport, turning many a head, while going through terminal one. It was a sight for sore eyes to see a united Irish team, led by Colin Delaney, team captain board a Ryan air flight, for Wales.
Arriving to Wales, and after hotel check ins, it was off to practice on the Friday evening, and experience the different pistes on Caerleon RFC Petanque Club. Every piste was different, some with stone, some with none, so a testing ground for even the most experienced of players.
Saturdays saw Ireland get off to a great start winning 6 matches from 8. It was the traditional triples format, of 4 teams from each nation, each carrying a substitute. Some changes were made in the teams, which proved very beneficial throughout the weekend. After day 1, Ireland were ahead, but it wasn’t without a fight from Wales, who battled for every point.
Sunday morning the Irish team arrived to the pistes, with high expectations. However the Scots weren’t lying down, and fought hard, to gain some ground on the Irish. Play was suspended for a short period while the heavens opened, turing the pistes into lakes. The rain did eventually stop, allowing soaked players back on the courts, to continue the battles.
While there was a bit of a surge from Scotland, it was too little too late and Ireland went on to win over all. It was an emotional and historic win for Ireland, to win back to back Celtic Challenge titles. It has never been done before and huge credit goes to the Irish team players who were united in their achievement, and represented Ireland with great dignity and respect.
A special mention goes to Colin Delaney, who from all accounts was an excellent captain. He motivated the boys in green, and had to make some tough decisions with team selections.
A huge thank you to all players;
Colin Delaney, Sariff Antooaroo, Stephan Voinot, Kevin Meniel, Davy Beck, Des Spratt, Sujeet Roopchand, Ashok Somiah, Rishi Mohiputhlall, Randeea Nundram, Suttyanand Luchoo, Ramkailahun Askshayesing, Roberto Caira & Daendra Dabeedoal. Unfortonately Benjamin Lair couldn’t travel.
In support from the IPA were IPA President, Billy Gleadel, Tresaruer, Yanness Bissessur and Secretary, Dawn Kirk.
A massive thanks goes to the Welsh Pétanque association who organized everything so well. Gemma did a great job organizing busses, food and accommodation, while Stephen Snudden did an amazing job posting scores and keeping everyone up to date.
Scotland will be hosting the Celtic Challenge in 2025.
Back row: (L-R) Randea (Papo), Devendra (Vik), Rishi, Sariff, Stephane, Colin, Ramke, Yaness & Vikash
Front row: (L-R) Roberto, Kevin, Davy, Askhok, Sujeet, Billy, & Des
Airport shot, of the Irish Team
Ireland V Wales
Wales in action
Irish team celebrating the win at the Gala Dinner
IPA Officers, Dawn, Yanness & Billy
Before boarding
Ireland in action
Capt Delaney with team mates
final standing
Stephane, Sariff & Colin with the CC trophies
Billy Gleadel, IPA president happy with the win.
A very Generous sponsorship from CBRE GWS IRELAND
This Morning (May 2nd ‘24) some of our national team members were presented with their team kits, for this years Celtic Challenge Tournament, which is taking place this weekend in Wales.
Colin Delaney, team Captain and an employer of CBRE, was accompanied by Roberto Caira, Kevin Meniel, and Sariff Antooaroo, at the CBRE offices in Dublin.
The kits consisting of Jerseys, tracksuit bottoms, and bags, were very kindly presented by Mr Darren Rennie, MD of CBRE GWS Ireland. While Darren is an actual Scotsman, he will no doubt be supporting Ireland over the weekend.
The kits were supplied by Teamwear.ie
Participating in such events, is not cheap, and individual players have to pay for their own flights, accommodation and food. So receiving such a generous donation from CBRE really helps greatly and we cannot thank them enough.
A private and anonymous donation was also contributed to help pay for some of the bills, and we sincerely thank the doner for their donation.
CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) is a division of CBRE which supports occupier clients of all sizes, through facilities management, project management, advisory, and transaction services across Ireland.
As the leading provider in Ireland, they form strategic partnerships with their clients to develop innovative solutions that focus on the users of their workplace and their workplace environment.
CBRE GWS help customers achieve their strategic business objectives by creating safe, secure, and high- performing workplaces.
Productivity, reliability, quality, brand — the workplace enables business results, whether work happens in an office, laboratory, manufacturing, retail, or virtual location.
CBRE GWS support customers across every sector and workplace type, ranging from world leading brands in financial, technology and media, to those with single iconic buildings and stadia.
They keep their customers’ buildings running, enabling the customer to focus on their core business.
A huge thank you once again to CBRE GWS for their incredibly kind donation. With the team looking the part, it will hopefully encourage them to play at their usual high standard, and help them retain the Celtic Challenge Trophy.
Colin Delaney with CBRE MD Darren Rennie
Sariff, Colin, CBRE MD Darren Rennie, Kevin & Roberto
Roberto, Colin, Sariff, & Kevin
Ulster / Connacht IPA Provincial Singles ‘24
The IPA Provincial singles of Ulster / Connacht took place last Saturday in Cavan Petanque Club. 18 players participated. The wet and windy weather, along with some hail showers, didn’t dampen spirits, and a great day was enjoyed by all.
The worthy IPA singles Ulster champion, Franck Breteche. Making it a family affair with Sylver Breteche as runner up and in third place Gilles Breteche.
A wonderful display of Pétanque was witnessed in Belturbet with current Irish champion Franck coming out on top spot in a bid to reclaim his title. A closely fought final saw Franck just pip his brother Sylver at the post in the end. Their father Gilles saw off competition from Mike Munter to claim the third spot. . Well down to everyone involved and who took part.
Best of luck in the finals guys next month.
Those going through to the All Ireland Finals
1st Place Franck Breteche
2nd Place Sylver Breteche
3rd Place Gilles Breteche
Dawn Kirk, IPA Secretary, Presenting Franck Breteche with the Ulster / Connacht Trophy.
Dawn Kirk, IPA Secretary, Presenting Sylver Breteche with the Ulster / Connacht silver medal.
Action shots of the day
IPA Provincial Doubles ‘24
Leinster
Munster
Ulster / Connacht
IPA Provincials Doubles ‘24
Last weekend saw the provincial doubles take place in all Provinces. With the country basking in sunshine, It made for beautiful playing conditions nationally.
Cavan pétanque Club hosted the Ulster / Connacht tournament, Frankfield hosted the Munsters, While Marlay park hosted the Leinsters.
33 teams participated throughout the country, which is a record number. The availability of pistes around Ireland is proving to be very beneficial, and is also reflective of the demand for competitions nationally.
Thanks to the petanque clubs from Marlay park, Cavan, & Frankfield for hosting the events, and a huge appreciation to the tournament organisers, Sylver Breteche, Jimmy Di Fusco, and Roberto Caira. It is never easy to organise and participate at the same time.
Ulster / Connacht
11 teams played in Cavan. A six round swiss system was run, using a bye in each round. To give everyone the opportunity to play 5 matches, 6 rounds were played. The top 4 teams reached the semifinals and finals.
The playing standards were high with reports of cochonnets being shot from 10 meters away, carreaus abound, and tight pointing resulting in some masterclass play.
Chatting with Billy after the tournament, he stated,
‘What a day we had , sunshine, laughs and great play. I have never seen as good. Franck was shooting 10m jacks , Sylver played a master class and Niam and Ali just didn’t give up and won the competition. The standard was unreal and I was proud to be part of it’
The results were as follows:
1st place Niam Choolun & Nasirally (Ali) Choolun
2nd place Sylver and Franck Breteche
3rd place JP O’ Reilly & Jeremy Simpson
4th place Carl Stuart & John Carruthers
Finalists Franck, Sylver V Niam & Ali
Winners Niam & Ali
Runners Up Franck, Sylver
Leinster
The Provincial Doubles in Leinster took place on the -Pistes- of a very sunny and warm Marlay Park. Two, drawn on the day, groups of teams battled it out against each other in a five game stage process ,with the top two teams from each group advancing to semifinals.
There were plenty of notable performances which on any other day would have been worthy of better outcomes that are worth a mention. In group A,
"Bayside Boules" duo Ciaran Walsh and teammate Dirk Starz brought their North Dublin game to the table with a couple of wins, whilst PPC's Sujeet Roopchand and Suttyanand (Vikash) Luchoo sat pretty for a while but couldn't advance on their 3 wins. Whereas 'Team Ireland' captain Colin Delaney and Kévin Meniel qualified in fifth place overall with 3 wins and points difference for a place in the National Doubles final.
Group B saw a duo debut for "Marley Park P.C" 's of Alan Balfe and Finbarr O'Driscoll, also in charge of setting up on the day , and the only two mixed doubles teams of Christy Nolan with Kathleen Fay plus Johnny Kelly with Mary Donohoe from PPC.
Both semifinals pitched 1st and 2nd respectively against each other which saw Davendra (Vik) Dabeedoal and teammate Randeea ( Papo) Nundram face the in-form Sariff Antooaroo and Stéphane Voinot, all from the 'Park Pétanque Club', with the latter producing an 11-3 timed win to take their place in the final.
The other semifinal was a similar affair which saw the return to form of duo Terry Greene (PPC) and Vincent Belingard (Griffeen Valley P.C) against stalwart John Wixted and teammate Orlando Nino (both also PPC). The aforementioned duo of Terry and Vincent outshone with a 13-2 win, to take a well deserved place in the Final , where the relentless Sariff and Stéphane lay in waiting, ready to overwhelm their opponents, which was indeed the case by 13-1.
Our congratulations to Sariff and Stéphane for their success , and also to the runner's up Terry and Vincent.
Well done to all who participated and a big thank you again to those involved in the set-up and running of the day. Well will all be back again soon for more .
The results were as follows:
1st place Stéphane Voinot & Sariff Antooaroo
2nd place Terry Greene & Vincent Belengard
3rd place Davendra (Vik) Dabeedoal & Randeea ( Papo) Nundram
4th place John Wixted & Orlando Nino
5th place Colin Delaney & Kévin Meniel
Semifinalists John, Orlando, Terry & Vincent
Semifinalists Stephane, Sariff, Vic & Papo
Winners Sariff & Stephane With organiser Roberto
Runners Up Vincent (L) & Terry (R) with organiser Roberto
Munster
Frankfield played host to the Munster event, with Jimmy Di Fusco doing an amazing job doing all the tournament organising. Jimmy ran a 5 round swiss system, followed by a semifinals and finals for the top 4 teams from the 5 rounds. He used the Challonge.com software again for the event, which resulted in very competitive matches along the way.
Cork was smothered in sunshine for the day, resulting in a few heads getting a little sun burned, but it didn’t distract from the high standard of play.
Teams came from Cork, Cahir, Waterford and the newly established cork club the Rebels.
A total of 12 teams participated from the original 14 teams that registered.
The duo Vikings, Tom and Yann dominated the first 5 rounds winning all their matches, but as the day progressed the Fatigue got the better of the Vikings and the semifinals saw a sweet revenge performance from Odran and Eamon the Frankfield locals, defeating Tom and Yann 13-12.
Odran & Eamon progressed to the final to be beaten by the French pairing of Philipe and Romain, who proved too strong winning out in the end.
Tom and Yaan were up against another local team of Edith and Connor, winning the 3rd place position.
The results from the Munster Doubles were as follows;
1st Place Romain Beretti & Philipe Udron (Frankfield PC)
2nd Place Odran O Riain & Eamon Pike (Frankfield PC)
3rd Place Tom Mc Phillips & (Yaan) Ganeshen Nallan (Waterford PC)
4th Place Connor Smith & Edith Browne (Frankfield PC)
5th Place Beatrice Berclaz & Pat Power (Waterford PC)
6th Place Rene Di Fusco & Olivier Chedhomme
Connor, Edith, Odran & Eamon are not available to participate in the national finals meaning Beatrice & Pat progress, along with Rene and Olivier
All participants during the pre tournament announcements chat
Jimmy Di Fusco Presenting the trophy to the winners Romain & Philipe
Winners & Runners up Eamon (L) Romain, Philipe & Odran (R)
The top 4 finishing teams
Leinster Provincial Singles ‘24
Leinster singles participants in Marlay Park, Dublin
Leinster Singles IPA singles Qualifiers
The 2024 Provincial Singles in Leinster took place on the pistes of Marley Park this year on a pleasant Saturday, 23rd of March.
The high number of entries made for a very competitive day, and a little more demanding for those who qualified from their respective groups to the knock-out stages.
Nevertheless, the highest of standards was very much on display throughout the day which, it was observed, seemed to also attract a welcomed gathering of surprised spectators. There were notable players absent who unfortunately were not available to participate for this particular event but will feature in the upcoming Provincial Doubles and Trebles in bid to qualify for the respective National events.
On the day, two groups of ten players played a set of five randomly selected opponents in timed games, and the top four from each group, selected by way of game wins and + points, qualified for the quarter finals which brought about some closely contested results. Our Congratulations go to PPC club president Pat Morgan and the infamous Sariff Antooaroo also from Park Pétanque Club for making it to the final , at the expense of semi finalists Vikash( Luchoo S) and Stéphane Voinot (who earlier had to come from behind in a hotly contested quarter final to pip the emerging PPC's Roberto Caira to the post).
The eventual honors went to Sariff who brushed Pat aside as if he had been saving himself all day for the opportunity, which was all taken in the accustomed nature.
All the above mentioned have qualified as the top five for the Upcoming Nationals (5th place having been selected firstly from points difference in the quarter final , and then total games won).
Our sincerest of gratitude to all players who partook, the good folks from Marley Pétanque who hosted and those who helped set up on the day. Not forgetting , a huge 'Thank you' to those that ensured it all ran smoothly.
The Final results were as follows:
1. Sariff Antooaroo
2. Pat Morgan
3. Luchoo S.-Vikash
4. Stéphane Voinot
5. Roberto Caira
Pat Morgan being presented with the silver medal by Roberto Caira (IPA regional rep.)
Sariff Antooaroo being presented with the 1st place trophy by Roberto Caira
Munster Provincial Singles ‘24
Munster Singles IPA singles Qualifiers
The Munster singles were held on 23rd March last, in Frankfield, Cork. With 21 players registered (the largest registered number of players for a provincial qualifier) it was set to be a competitive day.
With a few late cancellations, 18 players battled for the top 4 spots, to qualify from Munster, to the All Ireland finals. 5 rounds were played, with a semifinal, final, and third place playoff.
Jimmy Di Fusco, the recently appointed IPA Munster rep. did a fantastic job arranging the tournament. For the first time ever, he used a software program to run a Swiss system, and it worked incredibly well, selecting similar players with similar wins against each other, resulting in a very competitive and fair competition.
A seeding points system was introduced by the IPA awarding 4, 3, 2, and 1 point to the top 4 places. More details about the points system will be published later.
A big thank you goes to all participants, organizers and in particular Frankfield Petanque club for allowing the competition take place on their pistes.
Munster singles prize winners
(L to R) Ollivier Chedhomme 3rd, Tom Mc Phillips 1st, Cathal Boyle 2nd Patricia Murry 4th
Tom Mc Phillips in action in the final
Final standings for all participants
Jimmy Di Fusco presenting Tom with the trophy
Top 4 place final standings with points difference
Trophy made by Robbie Brereton of Cavan Petanque Club
Petanque in Belfast City Centre
Belfast Telegraph’s Aine Toner, writes about the great game in Belfast’s Latin Quarter
Monday23rd October 2023
Northern Ireland fans of a French sport can now partake of a leisurely game in the middle of Belfast city centre.
Linen Quarter Business Improvement District (LQ BID) recently installed a pétanque court at Blackstaff Square as part of ongoing efforts to regenerate and revitalise the area.
“In the last two years we have had a considerable degree of growth. That is possibly connected to Covid because pétanque was something people could do, as it’s played outside on gravel,” says Dawn Kirk, honorary secretary of the Irish Pétanque Association (IPA).
The aim of French boules, or pétanque, is to throw the heavy metal balls (boules) and position them as close to the small jack as you can. To play, a player must step onto the pitch and keep both feet on the ground when throwing their boule. Boules are thrown out of the back of your hand.
“People like myself who are involved with the IPA would be interested in playing competitions and national competitions,” says Dawn.
“There’s different levels of play. If you want to play at national level you can, but you can play for leisure or you can play in some of the many interclub tournaments that we have, which is a wee bit of competition. It’s fun and all you need to play is a set of boules which aren’t expensive.
The community has come a long way – from six clubs to 14, the majority based in Leinster. An incredibly accessible sport, it caters for all abilities and ages.
“It doesn’t matter who or what you are. You can play at any level, for a bit of fun,” explains Dawn. “It’s outdoor, it has a social side to it. You don’t have to be very physical; you’d have people with disabilities who can play because the objective of the game is that you just play on gravel and you just throw boules so there’s no restrictions physically for anybody being able to play, any age group can play”
A game of Petanque underway in Belfast
At the Linen Quarter Inter-Company Pétanque Tournament are winners, Navigator Blue, the LQ BID team and Dawn Kirk from the Irish Pétanque Association (in red T-shirt)
Is there an element of luck to perfecting pétanque?
“I believe there’s an element of luck in every sport,” admits Dawn. “At the level we play, certainly there is an element of luck in it but it’s a good thing about the game because that means that everybody can get that lucky start in the game.
“Sometimes you play a shot you don’t really mean to but it can work out really well. But I feel that adds to the game because everybody can get a lucky shot. But obviously the higher up you go, the less luck comes into it and it becomes more and more skillful. If you’re planning the World Championships, there’s no luck, it’s all skill,” she laughs.
The association hopes to build a youth club and attract younger players
“One of the things I was reading on developing sport among young people is how many young people, in their sort of late teens and early 20s, how they give up sport and particularly young women, because of part-time jobs, or maybe university or training for a job, or because they just can’t fit it in,” says Dawn.
“Then they miss out on the sort of social side and the mindfulness, as well as being out in the air and a bit of physical activity, whereas pétanque is something that they can do anytime.”
A recent petanque competition in Downpatrick where Dawn came second, with Carl Stuart (centre), chairperson of Ormeau Pétanque Club who came first, and Frank Brétéché, a pétanque player from Downpatrick who came third
Dawn Kirk and her son Ronan at the rugby
While having a pétanque court in Belfast city centre is one way of attracting new and more experienced players, the association hopes to establish a competition venue in Northern Ireland.
“The only bad thing about pétanque is because it’s outdoor, come this time of year, it’s dependent on weather. On the continent they have the luxury of what they call indoor bouledromes, that would be our dream,” says Dawn.
"Since 2021, we have completed a number of interventions on and around Blackstaff Square to improve its appearance, reduce disruptive behaviour, and promote the Square as a vibrant destination in its own right,” adds Chris McCracken, managing director of LQ BID.
“Part of this included the installation of the pétanque court — our thoughts in doing so were rooted in providing people living and working in the area with a common area to come together. This simple pétanque court proves that by thinking imaginatively, we can restore vitality and transform a semi-derelict area into an iconic plaza and social space.
“Enhanced greenery, pedestrianisation and defined outdoor spaces such as Flaxx (a new outdoor market in the Linen Quarter) all improve the aesthetic in support of increased footfall for businesses.”
CELTIC CHALLENGE QUALIFIERS
The CC qualifiers in Marlay Park produced some tight games and a high standard of play, to find the team to represent Ireland in next years Celtic Challenge competition in Wales.
on the 9th September Last, the Celtic challenge qualifiers took place, with many clubs from all over Ireland represented. Many teams were first time partners, and others were seasoned greats, having to play 6 rounds of intense competition. It was a scorching day, but both players and spectators enjoyed the high standard of play.
The grounds were brilliantly presented by Marlay Park, and it was very well organised.
Commiserations to those who didn’t make the national team on this occasion, and congratulation to those who did.
the 2024 IRISH CELTIC CHALLENGE TEAM to travel to Wales next May.
#1. Kevin, Stephane, Sariff & Colin
#2. Des, Davy & Benji
#3. Randeea, Ashok, Rishi & Sujeet
#4. Vikash, Ramke & Roberto
Photo of all participants at this years Celtic Challenge Qualifiers
IRISH REPRESENTATION IN ITALY
Roberto & Sariff from Bushy Park, go to Italy to rub shoulders with the great Diego Rizzi
The Dublin boys were kindly invited to participate in an international memorial weekend , by club president , secretary, and parents of Lorenzo Carassale, Roberto and Patrizia, from the A.S.D G.Biancheri Muller club , last September in BORDIGHERA, Italy .
Roberto and Sariff experienced wonderful hospitality, and witnessed some very high quality of teams and players that attended (including World champions, internationals and the "A" list of Italian, French, Catalans, and Monégasques) , while also establishing friendships and connections.
The tournament this year was dominated by the FCP team (Ferderació Catalana de Petanca) who won the Trebles final on Saturday and were runners-up in the doubles final on Sunday against very strong French opposition on both occasions.
The level of play throughout the entire tournament was outstanding and a testament to the quality of players that turned out for such a worthy occasion for the CARASSALE family, who put a lot of work and effort into ensuring its success.
Roberto said,
“it was an unforgettable event and many thanks all around. As a thank you on our behalf , both the club and parents of "Lorenzo" were presented with pieces of Dublin Crystal , it's the least we could have done ! Oh, and needless to say, the weekend ended with empty bottles of Irish Whiskey that were also brought along for the occasion” Roberto went on to mention meeting the brilliant , Diego Rizzi (who participated on Saturday and then had to make rapid preparations to travel to "Arènes de Lunel /Final Four" where he and his phenomenal team mates , Dylan Rocher , Stephane Robineau and Jean Feltain of Frejus International Pétanque , won the grand final to become the MASTERS for 2023 ! Champions Superb.) !
Photos of Roberto and Sariff with players and guests of the event
FRANKFIELD PETANQUE CLUB HOLDS A CORKER OF AN EVENT AT THE ANNUAL BOULES BLITZ
Frankfield Petanque Club thanks their sponsors for their support in running the Boules Blitz
The Annual Boules Blitz in Frankfield Petanque Club held last weekend 26th & 27th August ‘23 was a roaring success.
19 teams participated in this years Blitz tournament, with teams coming from all over the country to participate. It was particularly exciting to see the return of a team from Bath Petanque Club (UK) who travel every year to take part.
The event was very well organised by members of Frankfield petanque Club, who were tremendously hospitable, providing great direction, tournament management, food, drinks, and all the trimmings to ensure everyone was well looked after.
The 2 day event, started promptly on Saturday morning with a luck of the draw selection to create 3 groups. The weather remained dry for the whole day, and at times, the sun shone with intensity.
Each team played 5 matches. This determined which category each team played in, on the Sunday. Matches were played in full, avoiding the dreaded 45 min. time limit, which resulted in high quality play, and tough competition.
The Saturday evening was spent been wined and dined at the home of Jim Ryan and family, who went to great lengths to provide a wonderful spread of food and drink for everyone. It was a wonderful social evening, allowing everyone to exchange petanque stories, and develop great friendships.
Sunday morning started out cold and wet, but thankfully the weather Gods were kind, and brought out the sunshine, to allow for a dry afternoon. Three competitions were on the cards, The premier Frankfield Competition, The Secondary Summerhill Competition, and the Tertiary Toonbridge Competion. 5 matches were played in each, with 6 matches for the Toonbridge event.
The Premier competition comprised of teams from Dublin, Waterford and Cork, With Stephane & Sariff from Bushy Park Petanque Club, Dublin, taking top place. Waterford Petanque Clubs’ Beatrice & Yaan, taking second place, while Tom & Anton from Waterford pushed out the host team of Cathal & Fred for third place.
The Secondary Summerhill Competition saw a few surprises, with Martin and Christy (Belturbet Petanque Club, Cavan) taking the coveted trophy, while Waterfords’ Jimmy and Chloe, took second place. Third place was taken by Ann & Mary from Bath Petanque Club, giving them a challenge of brining home a large hamper back to the UK.
The Toonbridge tournament was dominated by the hosts, with Romain & Phillippe taking top spot, & Odran & Jackie taking second place.
It was a tremendous weekend of boules with lots of fun on the pistes, and some high standards of play. It was a very well organised weekend, and a huge thank you goes to Frankfield Petanque Club for hosting the event.
Teams line up for a photoshoot during this years boules blitz
The Mauritians gather for a photo (L to R) Yaan, Vik, Papo, Yaness & Sariff
Action on the pistes
Stephane (L) & Sariff (R) winners of the Premier tournament
Martin (L) & Christy (R) winners of the Summerhill tournament, presented by Fred. (M).
Phillippe (L) & Romain (R) winners of the Toonbridge tournament, presented by Fred. (M).
BAYSIDE BOULES VISITED CAVAN PETANQUE CLUB FOR A FRIENDLY ENCOUNTER
Tom Donnellan reports on his outing to Cavan;
Bayside Boules from North Dublin, following a long-standing invitation from Cavan Petanque Club, had a wonderful day of sociably competitive boules in Belturbet on Sunday 20th August. The bright, blustery weather was our saviour. We were prepared for rain but it never materialised. The Cavan group were so welcoming; providing lifts from the bus stop; creating 3 beautiful, bespoke trophies courtesy of Robbie (one of their members); plying us with tea/coffee and scones and sandwiches all day; marking and raking the pistes; running the competition etc. We had a group of 20 and to a person they were super complimentary of the hospitality of our hosts. We had the added surprise of meeting the upper echelons of the IPA with Billy Gleadell, currently President of the IPA and Cavan Petanque ambassador; Dawn Kirk, Hon. Sec. Of IPA and Sylver Breteché, Competition Secretary of the IPA, all present in a playing capacity. We hope to reciprocate when we have six pistes instead of our current four play areas.
Billy Gleadell reports from Belturbet;
Cavan played its last Home tournament on Sunday the 20th of August. 20 players from Bayside Pétanque in Dublin made the journey down to Belturbet, County Cavan. Cavan had 16 players so a mixture of doubles and trebles were played. We had a Special Guest star playing for Cavan, Sylver Breteché.
The tournament started around 1pm with two timed matches, we broke for lunch and drinks at around 3pm and then played another two matches after lunch. The sun was shining and the craic was mighty.
Cavan won the tournament overall but trophy’s were given to the players on both teams who scored the most points. Cavan most valuable player was Ian Gleadell and Bayside was Tom Donnellan a Special award was given to Dawn Kirk. The trophies were hand made by Robbie Brereton.
It was a great day and I look forward to meeting the Bayside team next year in Dublin.
lunch time comradery around the pistes
Sylver Breteche, Dawn Kirk & Billy Gleadell from the IPA
Sylver in action
Tom Donnellan receiving a trophy from Billy Gleadell
Bayside Boules Club members
Action on the Belturbet terrain
PETANQUE FEVER SPREADS IN BELFAST CITY CENTRE
Linen Quarter BID have continued to fan the flames of success of their first mini-tournament. During August and September, 16 organisations from across the Linen Quarter will compete in an inter-company tournament over various lunch-times for prizes that include Belfast City Centre giftcards, and £200 voucher for the Grand Central Hotel Observatory. Cara McVeigh - Relate NI's Fundraising Officer highlighted the value of the event for participants saying, 'Playing Petanque together has been a great way for us to put our values into practice, help support workplace relationships, and grow awareness of our work in a fun and active way.
We look forward to the growth and development of Petanque in Belfast City Centre.
Participants enjoying Pétanque at the Latin quarter in belfast
IPA DOUBLES ‘23 IN MARLAY PARK
On Saturday 12th August, Marlay Park Petanque Club held the national IPA doubles
The event was well organised by Marlay park club members, who presented a fantastic terrain, to the back drop of the Dublin mountains.
16 teams participated and travelled from the four corners of Ireland, to battle it out. The rain stayed away, allowing for a high spirited event, with a very high standard of play on the pistes.
Owen Kelleher and Sylver Breteche from the IPA were at hand for registration and umpiring, and as usual did a very professional job. Members of Marlay Park petanque club including chairman Eamon Carey were very welcoming and should be very proud of the beautifully presented pistes, and a well organised event.
Two groups were formed with each team playing five games in each group. The winners of the groups met in the semi finals.
From Group A emerged Kevin & Colin from Bushy Park, along with Rory and Tim also from Bushy Park, While in Group B emerged Des and David from Ormeau and Sarif & Stephan from Bushy park. It was a tight game between the Ormeau pair who pointed beautifully and the bushy park duo of Kevin & Colin, however it was kevin and Colin who progressed to the final.
In the other semi final between the Bushy park teams Sariff & Stephane versus Rory and Tim, the experience of Sariff and Co. dominated and saw them through to the final.
The all Bushy Park final was a show of brilliant pointing and tremendous shooting resulting in Kevin and Colin taking first place.
Congratulations to the winners and commiserations to Sariff & Stephane.
semifinalists: Des, Dave, Colin, Tim, Sarif, Stephane, Kevin & Rory.
Runners Up:
Stephane Voinot-Boudy & Sariff Antooaroo
Winners:
Colin Delaney & Kevin Meniel
FRIENDSHIPS FORGED AT FLAXX INTER-COMPANY TOURNAMENT
On Thursday 27th July, FLAXX at Linen Quarter Belfast held their first inter-company mini Petanque tournament.
The event was organised by Communications and Events Manager Stevie Maginn. Participants were offered complimentary wine and cheese, and given a set of boules. The Linen Quarter in Belfast is characterised by beautiful red brick buildings that were once used as Linen Warehouses.
The Petanque Court was installed as part of a regeneration project to boost footfall and reduce anti-social behaviour’. The area now includes key businesses and hotels.
Forty-seven individuals in total registered for the mini-tournament. The IPA were invited to be on hand to demonstrate and give pointers, and were represented by Dawn Kirk and Des Spratt. Paul Anthony from Falls also attended the event. Participants were split into two teams - Flaxx and Linen - and subsequently triples with two triples playing at any one time. Play ended in a draw, and after a nail-biting penalty shoot-out, Flaxx emerged the victors!
The event was a huge success. Following play, friendships were forged over wine and cheese. Further events have been planned, the possibility of organizing lunch time coaching sessions discussed, and also establishing a club. A big thank you to FLAXX, and here's to promoting Petanque in partnership with you.
Des Spratt & Dawn Kirk from the IPA giving some petanque pointers and interviewing some local participants
Stevie Maginn, events manager, talks about the success of the event and petanque in Belfast City Centre
Petanque in Ireland gets a feature on National TV’s Morning AM
Billy Gleadell, the president of the Irish Petanque Association, did us proud, when he was recently interviewed on Bastille Day, July 14th last, by morning AM to talk about petanque in Ireland.
Billy & the TV presenters, embraced the bad weather, and played a little game outside the Virgin Media Studio. While playing on grass, isn’t the ideal surface to play on, Billy demonstrated his pointing skills, and gave a little lesson on how to play petanque.
Well done Billy for taking the opportunity to promote petanque in Ireland.
IPA President, Billy Gleadell (L), showing the Morning AM presenters how to play petanque
Billy Gleadell, at the virgin media TV centre for his interview with Morning AM
All Photos & media courtesy of Virgin Media TV
Merci la France de nous avoir offert Pétanque
A DOUBLE FOR THE DUBS AT THE DOWNPATRICK DOUBLES!
An all Dubs final
above: (L to R) Sariff Antooaroo, Kevin Meniel, Devendra Dabeeoal & Yaness Bissessur
On Saturday the 24th June, the Boys from Bushy added to their impressive record of success in taking first and second place at the Downpatrick Doubles. Congratulations to winners Sariff Antooaroo & Devendra Dabeedoal, & runners up Kevin Meniel & Yaness Bissessur.
It was a glorious day in Downpatrick in more ways than one. As the sun shone, many teams from Dublin, Waterford, Belfast and North Down battled it out on the pistes with no quarter given, yet games were played in the true spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie. Many thanks to Sylver for organising and managing such an excellent competition, and cooking the sausages at half-time.
Winners: Sariff Antooaroo & Devendra Dabeeoal
IPA national mixed doubles 2023
2023 Mixed Doubles Champions, Chloe & Jimmy Di Fusco, Waterford Petanque Club
May 20th 2023
13 teams gathered in Bushy Park Dublin for the finals of the IPA mixed Doubles.
The timed games event, added a new dimension to the competition, and saw the Waterford Petanque Clubs, Chloe and Jimmy meet Beatrice and Tom in the final.
The experience of the Dungarvan duo came through in the end, to see off the first time participants of their fellow club mates.
Congratulations Jimmy and Chloe
Runners up, Beatrice Barclaz & Tom Mc Phillips, Waterford Petanque Club
IPA national singles 2023
March 28th 2023
The 16 players who qualified for the finals from the regional play-offs gathered in Bushy Park Dublin for the finals of the IPA Singles.
After the preliminary stage the two finalists, Franck Brétéché from the N Down club and Tom McPhillips from the recently formed Waterford Petanque club, went head to head. Franck is a veteran of many IPA finals over the years but for Tom this was a totally new adventure.
In the final experience won the day and we congratulate Franck on lifting the trophy and Tom on becoming the 2nd best singles player of 2023.
2023 Singles Champion, Franck Brétéché (L) North Down Petanque Club, with Tournament organsier Sylver Brétéché (R)
Runner up, Tom Mc Phillips (L), Waterford Petanque Club, with organiser Sylver Breteche (R)
IRELAND VICTORIOUS AT THIS YEARS CELTIC CHALLENGE ‘23
IRELAND TEAM
Chef d’equipe and Captain Billy Gleadell
A1 Colin Delaney, Sariff Antooaroo, Stephane Voinot , Kevin Meniel.
A2 Ben Lair, Sylver, Gilles, and, Franck Brétéché
A3 Jim Ryan, Des Spratt, Dave Beck, Terry Greene
A4 George Davidson, Kevin O’Brien, Pat McCarthy, John Hennessey
B1 Philip Udron, Romain Beretti,Jimmy and Chloe di Fusco
B2 Michael McGrath, Steve Hickey, Dawid Zydorek, Rory O’Neil
B3 Yanness Bisseseur, Sujeet Roopchand, Akshay Ramke, Devendra Dabedoal.
B4 Jeremy Simpson, Carina and Robbie Beretton Billy Gleadell
Above we see the Ireland A1 team with the Celtic Challenge Trophy and the shield for the top triple which were presented to them by the Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council Councillor Karen Douglas.
IRELAND VICTORIOUS IN THE 2023 CELTIC CHALLENGE
MAY 1, 2023
The Ireland Team, pictured below, triumphed in the 2023 Celtic Challenge held at the N Down Petanque Club piste in Bangor, Co Down on 29th and 30th April.
The weather was misty and a little damp on the Saturday and again on Sunday morning. There was thunder and lightening and rain on Sunday afternoon that caused parts of the piste to flood and halted play for 20 minutes or so, The rain delayed the proceedings but didn’t dampen the Irish teams enthusiasm and they continued to rack up the wins before finally emerging victorious.
The Ireland A squad had a total of 34 wins ensuring that the Trophy would rest in Ireland for the next year before we try and defend it in Wales 2024. Overall Scotland were runner-up with 27 wins and Wales 3rd with 20 wins.
Mention must be made of the supporting role played by the B team – they won a total of 15 games over the weekend – including 12 against Scotland and Wales which definitely contributed to the A team’s victory.
There were a lot of new players in the Ireland squad and it augurs well for the future of Petanque in Ireland.
As well as claiming the overall trophy the Ireland A1 team of Colin Delaney, Sariff Antooaroo, Stephane Voinot and Kevin Meniel were unbeaten in their 12 games over the weekend and rightly claimed the trophy for the Best Triple. The event was graced with the presence of Councillor Karen Douglas, Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council, who, along with the Presidents of the IPA – Billy Gleadell, SPA – Alison Swiffin, WPA – Tony Smith and N Down Petanque Club – Kevin McBrien, threw the ceremonial first boules to open the event on the Saturday. Councillor Douglas was also guest of honour at dinner on Sunday Evening in Pickie Bowling Club function room.where she handed out the main awards as well as mementos to the players of all three nations.
The IPA would like to record its thanks to the members of N Down Petanque Club for their contribution to the smooth running of the event and also to their landlords, Pickie Bowling Club for their assistance over the weekend and in particular the use of their marquee which was very popular especially when the rain came down on Sunday afternoon!
Petanque in Athlone
MARCH 9, 2023
The IPA wishes to congratulate Athlone Regional Sports Centre on the completion of a new piste in the town. The facility is based in the Sports Centre Brawny Road, Athlone Co Westmeath N37 W3W0
The piste is free to use and also has free car parking available & there is an Outdoor Coffee Dock on site.
It is to be hoped that a new club can be formed in the town to make use of the facilities, so if you live near and want to play the game – now is your chance.
Our picture shows the completed piste at the centre.
IPA Elections
FEBRUARY 20, 2023
At the recent AGM the following were elected to the IPA Council
President – Billy Gleadell – Cavan Petanque Club
Honorary Secretary – Dawn Kirk – Ormeau Petanque Club
Honorary Treasurer Own Kelleher – Park Petanque Club
Council Members – Tom McPhillips – Waterford Petanque Club , Sylver Breteche – North Down Petanque Club, George Davidson – North Down Petanque Club, Roberto Caira – Park Petanque Club, Des Spratt – Ormeau Petanque Club, Dermot Murray – Marlay Park Petanque Club, Brian Kavanagh – Cabinteely Petanque Club, Tom Donnellan – Bayside Petanque Club
2023 Celtic Challenge Qualifier
SEPTEMBER 11, 2022
A total of 17 triples from all parts of the island entered the first stage of the qualifying event to become part of the Ireland team for the 2023 Celtic Challenge which will see Ireland host teams from Scotland and Wales.
Held at the N Down club premises in Bangor, where the 2023 Celtic Challenge will be played, there was a full days play in glorious sunshine – lets hope for weather like that next year!
Every game was hard fought and in the end the 8 teams captained by Ben, Jeremy, Dave, Romain, Dawid, Colin, George and Yaness made it through to the final stage of selection when the teams to represent Ireland A and Ireland B will be decided.
Our photo, courtesy of Owen, shows most of the participants in Bangor on Saturday 10th September.
Thanks to Denis and Dawn for their contribution to the smooth running of the event on the day.
PHOTO
IPA DOUBLES 2022
AUGUST 17, 2022 ~ LEAVE A COMMENT
August 13th saw the 2022 edition of the IPA Doubles played in a sun kissed Bushy Park Dublin.
After the two round-robin group games the 13 teams were whittled down to two, Samir and Sariff and Sylver and Franck, to contest the final.
The final saw some excellent play by both pairs and in the end Samir and Sariff ran out the winners by the narrowest of margins – 13 points to 12.
Congratulations to all participants and thanks to Park Pétanque Club for facilitating the event.
IPA Triples 2015
- 18 April 2015
Winners: Jim Ryan (L) Martin Ryan (M) Jackie Broderick (R)
Runners Up: George Davidson, Humberto Tavares Denis Nightingale
IPA Singles 2015
21 March 2015
Winner: Naazim Mohungoo
Runner Up: Pat Kennedy
IPA Doubles 2014
Winners: Gilles Breteche (L) Sylver Breteche (R)
2012 CELTIC CHALLENGE
The 2012 Celtic Challenge was played in beautiful sunshine over 5/6 May, at North Down PC premises at Pickie Bowling Club, Bangor.
After the first day’s play, the situation was fairly close with Scotland and Ireland A on 14 wins, Wales on 13 wins and Ireland B on 7 wins. However, on day 2, Scotland pulled away to finish with 31 wins, their second successive win in the competition. The final results are shown below.
Of particular mention is the performance of Scotland 1 ( Paul Bretenoux, Robbie Stronach and John Wilson ) who finished as ‘top triple’ with victories in all 12 matches for the second year running. Interestingly, one of their tightest games was against Ireland B3 ( Owen Kelleher, Adam Kelleher and ‘Misty’ ) who matched them all the way before losing 13 – 11.
The top Irish Triple was Ireland A4 ( Richard Elvin, Sebastien Stevenot and Arshaad Dooreemeah. )The top Welsh Triple was Wales 4 ( Peter Beresford, Gay Evans and Kon Tomczk )
Final placings
1. Scotland 31 Wins + 124 points
2. Ireland A 26 Wins + 32 points
3. Wales 25 Wins + 23 points
4. Ireland B 14 Wins - 179 points
IPA Doubles 2012
24 March 2012
Winners: Junette Bostrom (L) and Jim Ryan (R)
IPA Singles 2012
02 June 2012
Winner: Arshaad Dooreemeah
IPA Singles 2012
02 June 2012
Winner: Arshaad Dooreemeah
Triples 2009
Winners: John O’Grady (L) Jack Di Pizzo (M) Martin Lovisek (R)
Doubles 2009
Winners: Fayaz Sookhary (L) John O’Grady (R)
IPA Singles 2009
Winner: Fayaz Sookhary
IPA Triples 2008
Winners: David Beck (L ) Jim Ryan (M) Humberto Tavares (R)
IPA Doubles 2008
Winners: Fayaz Sookhary (L) and John O’Grady (R)
IPA Singles 2008
Winner: Fayaz Sookhary
IPA DOUBLES 2007
Winners: Humberto Tavares (L) and George Davidson (R)
IPA Doubles 2007
runner up: Sylver Breteche (L) Gilles Breteche (R)
IPA Singles 2007
Winner: Pierre Di Pizzo (L)
Runner Up: Humberto Tavares (R)
