Host Mark Davern reported a weekend of exceptionally competitive games and “good, clean, hard fun” on the pitches.

Although Tipperary Polocrosse Club was hard hit by the recession, it has doubled in size in the past year with an influx of new players.

“We train on Sundays and Wednesday evenings and we’re open to anyone who wants to try it,” said Davern, whose club took both second and third places in the juniors and second place in the D grade.

‘They did well,” said Davern. “Some of those kids have been playing a matter of weeks and they were delighted. They’d never even seen a tournament before.”

The junior grade was won by the Carrickmines team of Ashling Farrell, Sean Kirrane and Hannah Kileff. The best horse was Kylie, ridden by Daire Davern of Tipperary, and the best player was Sean Kirrane. The D grade was won by Wicklow Bay with Rita O’Hagan, Jody O’Donnell and Ben Darcy. The young Patrick Flavin, who played for Tipperary, was awarded best player. “He’s the coolest kid I’ve ever seen under pressure,” said Davern. “When that lad moves up the grades I’m retiring.”

The best horse award on this occasion was Negra, ridden by Joan Donnelly of Carrickmines.

Wicklow Bay also won the C grade with a team of young players: Laura Bradshaw, Ellie Walters, Abby Hamil; Zoe Nuzum, Emma O’Hagan and Caroline Bradshaw. Laura Bradshaw won best player and best horse was awarded to Bourbon, a highly-experienced horse ridden by Lee Slowe of second-placed Carrickmines.

“The players from Wicklow Bay were impressive,” said Davern. “That club has come a long way in a short time. They have youth on their side too. As adults we tend to take a check, but the kids just push ahead and win the game.”

However Davern also name-checked Bill Lalor, who played for on the C grade team for Horetown.

“For a man who’s almost 70 years old, he’s unbelievable. He’s playing about seven years now, but he’s a natural horseman.”

Carrickmines and Wicklow Bay joined forces to win the B grade, with Richard Donnelly, Tom O’Malley, Paul O’Leary, Niall Houlihan, Clive Nuzum and Hilary Barnes (best player). Second place went to the recently-formed Dublin-based club, Equus.

Carrickmines won the A grade with Dara Mangan, Sam Hanlen, and Tony O’Donnell. Equus came in second place following a strong comeback on the Sunday. Best horse was awarded to Posh, ridden by Amy Buckley of Equus, and Tony O’Donnell was named best player.