Glasgow glee for skipper

Neil Mulholland, Lisnagarvey Bowling Club Captain, has been selected to take part in the Commonwealth Games. US1422-566cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

He’s received a call-up to the five-man Northern Ireland squad for this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and it’s fair to say the news has really bowled him over.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted. It’s a complete dream come true for me. It’s the pinnacle in the career of any bowler, going to the Commonwealth Games or the World Bowls Championships.

“I’m so pleased to get to the Commonwealth Games so now I want to get two medals. I’m in both the triples and the rinks events so I have two chances. I want to get both medals and then get to the World Bowls. Why not be greedy?

“Northern Ireland have come home with medals from every Games since 1982 so there’s a pressure there. I’m just going to play my game though and see where it takes me.”

Neil will be following in the footsteps of fellow Garvey club-members Noel Graham, John McLaughlin and Jonathan Ross.

“They have all got medals so it would be nice to join the club,” he told the ‘STAR.’

The first bowl will be thrown on 24th July in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls Centre.

By the time the big day rolls around, the Northern Ireland team will be well prepared, having already begun a hectic training schedule.

“We went to Holland a couple of weeks ago for a practice tournament,” said Neil. “We finished fourth in the pairs and second in the team event.

“We’ve also been to Glasgow for a Four Nations tournament. We beat Scotland, England and Wales and I won five out of five in my matches. That sealed my place in the team because that was the last part of our selection process.

“That was the third time we’ve been to Glasgow and we’ve also been away down south for training sessions.”

Neil, who has been an Irish international for the past 18 months, will continue his preparations at Garvey’s Warren Gardens before journeying to the Games.

He said: “We have a Tri-Nations tournament against New Zealand and Wales in Cardiff from the 10th to the 13th of July and then we’re off the Games on the 19th.

“It’s all the highest high of my career so far so hopefully a medal and a call-up for the World Bowls will follow.”

Neil will be in action for Garvey in Portadown in the NIBA Division One today.