“They were cracking games,” said Tadhg O’Leary of Birr, following the exciting game between Horetown and Equus Polocrosse Club. Ruth Shanahan’s mount Zippotin was named best horse, while Shane Harris from Horetown’s second team was named best player.

“Shane played out of his skin the whole weekend,” O’Leary commented.

Tyrella won the B Grade with Sybil Smyth, Paul Boland, William Armstrong, Craig Kileff, Toby Fynn, and Thomas Kileff. Fynn was awarded best player following a spectacular display of horsemanship and the best horse was Amarillo, ridden by Tom O’Malley who played for second-placed Wicklow Bay.

The C Grade winners were the Carrickmines team of Lee Slowe, Isabelle Alkin, Cillian Boland, Gokmen Altinkulp, Jill Murphy, and Naomi Crowley. The best hosre on this occasion was Daenerys, ridden by Paddy O’Brien of Birr, and the best player accolade went to Ann Kavanagh of Wicklow Bay. “I’d give a mention to Lee Slowe as well,” said O’Leary.

“I imagine that he’ll be moving up the grades before long.”

Wicklow Bay won the D Grade with Ciaran Hamill, Jodi McDonald, and Joe Mangan. The best horse was Kramer, ridden by Karen Whitney of Horetown, and the best rider was Cian Boland of Carrickmines. The D Grade is entry-level polocrosse and included a number of under-16 players and others who were very new to the game. “It’s amazing how fast they progress,” said O’Leary.

“You have Paul O’Gorman from Limerick – he’s only been riding horses for about five weeks – but really got stuck into it. Ciaran Hamill of Wicklow Bay is only playing a short length of time, too. And then there’s young Sean Kirrane of Carrickmines. His horse is too big, his helmet is too big, his racquet is too big but by God, he can play polocrosse!’

The next tournament will be hosted by Tyrella Polocrosse Club, Tyrella, Co Down, on July 12th-13th.