GLORIOUS sunshine, excellent ground conditions and a triumphant win for Ireland’s under-16s meant that Irish eyes were smiling after the Irish Polocrosse Association Tri Nations event in Nenagh showgrounds recently

Senior and under-16 teams from Ireland, England and Wales descended on the Birr Club’s venue to battle for the title of Tri Nations champions. Rising stars Caroline Bradshaw, Lauren O’Malley, Izzy Alken, Zoe Nuzum, Luke Brandon, Archie Nield and brothers Cian and Theo Boland took the honours for Ireland in the under-16 section.

The best player award in the under-16 girls team was won by team captain Caroline Bradshaw, from the Wicklow Bay Club, who is definitely one to watch for the future.

Coached by James Smith of Silver Pines Equestrian Centre, it was a proud moment to see these youngsters play their hearts out at international level and hopefully it is a sign of things to come in Irish polocrosse. The runners-up place went to the Welsh team and England came third.

The senior open title was narrowly won by England in a very close match, beating Ireland by just a single goal.

The experienced Irish senior team included Dara Mangan, Eoin O’Donnell and Shane Harris, each of whom have represented their country at previous World Cup competitions, and also Heidi Brabazon, Lisa Galvin Reilly, Abbey Hamill, Toby Fynn and Will Armstrong.

Coached by Aussie native Avis Wotton, this was also a good performance by the Irish seniors and is important for the sport in Ireland that Irish teams get the opportunity to play these international matches.

Thanks must also go to sponsors of these games, to include TRI Equestrian, Bennetts Australia, Dengie Horse Feeds, David Young Horetown Tack Shop, Connollys Red Mills, Centenary Co-Op and Gain Horse Feeds, without whom the international events would be next to impossible.

Action for the next polocrosse tournament moves to Ballyspillane Stables in Co Cork on the August 20th-21st, before the grand finale of the season at the National Finals up in picturesque Tyrella, Co Down.