Bowling league treble is celebrated by Billy Parish Club

Thirty years ago, Ballycastle estate agent, P.J.McIlroy, founded the Friendly Charity Bowling League. Eight local clubs took part back then and today, eight clubs still take part with Billy Parish, Bushvale and Cushendall being part of the original line up and although quite a few members of these clubs still bowl today, most of the bowlers are the next (or even 2nd) generation.

On the 11th March, the annual triples tournament took place in St. Patrick’s Hall where sixteen teams from the eight clubs played to determine which two would make the final. After some terrific bowling, it left Billy Parish and Toberdoney Pres in the final.

The league committee would like to thank St. Patrick’s for the use of their hall and providing the very enjoyable supper for this occasion.

On the 10th April, St James hosted the Glebe Charity Shield and triples final. Billy Parish again got top points to make the final play off with Bushvale just managing to secure enough points to claim 2nd position and meet them in the final.

The triples final was a closely fought game with the two teams going into the last end with 7 shots each. Billy Parish claimed a single shot in the last end to become winners.

In the Glebe final 1st half, Billy Parish was getting the upper hand on Bushvale who managed to come back and have them trailing Billy by 6 points at half time.

During the interval, two cheques were presented to two charities. St. James, Ballymoney, nominated Cheers Youth Centre and St. Olcan’s, Rasharkin, nominated Marie Curie Cancer Care who both benefited from £1000 each which was raised from the sale of fireside quiz sheets and collections lifted on match nights.

After the terrific supper, the 2nd half got under way but Bushvale never got into a position to make a dent in the overall score and Billy Parish came out winners. The committee would like to thank St. James for the use of their hall and for the lovely supper on this occasion also.

The league committee would like to thank everyone who supported us this year and for the past 30 years in raising money for very worthwhile charities and we hope to continue for years to come.

Presentations were made to the following:- Charity League Cup - Billy Parish (Presented by P.J. McIlroy); Runners up Shield - St Olcan’s (Presented by Mrs P.J. McIlroy); Glebe Charity Shield - Billy Parish (Presented by Derrykeighan Bowling Club); Runners up Shield - Bushvale (Presented by Billy Parish

Bowling Club); Brian Simpson Triples Shield - Billy Parish(Presented by Brian Simpson); Runners up Shield - Toberdoney (Presented by Chestnutt Animal Feeds).

Quiz sheet winners were: 1st - S McGinley, Cushendall. 2nd – Tanya Wilson, Coleraine. 3rd – James Gillan, Armoy.