Kane snubs international event

The Provincial Towns player informed selectors that he is "unavailable" for the showcase event, that gets under way on Thursday.

Irish boss Roy McCune was on holiday when informed by text of Kane's decision.

However, he was giving a briefing of this bizarre incident by Irish officials on his return.

Kane apparently requested to leave the Irish camp prior to Saturday's final game of the team event against Wales. He wanted to return home to feature in the IIBA's National Championships at his Ballymoney club.

"It's very disappointing," said McCune. "I was on holiday when I got the original message.

"Barry requested to return home early, which meant he wouldn't be available for the Welsh match.

"The selectors didn't think it was appropriate for a player to walk out mid-series. But when they informed the player of their decision, he then made himself unavailable."

Kane, a former World Under-25 singles champion - both indoors and outdoors - is undoubtedly one of the country's most talented bowlers, but his decision could well have further ramifications in terms of representing his country.

Trevor Robinson also pulled out of the team because of family commitments. It means that McCune was forced into a late reshuffle.

Belfast duo, Chris Eadie and John McCullough, of course, were originally drafted in for their debut. They will now be joined in that capacity by Aiden Reid, from the Provincial Towns.

Mike Merritt also comes off the reserve list and will return to the stadium where he made his Ireland debut two years ago.

"Aiden and Mike come into the side," added McCune. "Rod Coleman will move from lead in Brendan Thompson's rink to play second to Gary McCloy, taking over from Kane.

"Reid will now lead for Brendan with Mike a straight replacement for Trevor."

Eadie is named at lead in the rink skipped by Neil Booth, while McCullough will play second in Jonathan Ross's combination.

"The selectors originally didn't tinker too much with the team," added McCune. "But they were not banking on the latest problem. Chris (Eadie) has been knocking at the door for a few years now. He has come through the system, having previously played for the Under-25s.

"John is a relative new comer. But he has been part of the midweek international squad for a few years now."

The Series will again be staged in tandem with the Women's internationals and British Isles Championships.

McCune added: "This the second time to run both the men and women's events together. It was a success at Belfast last time. British Isles officials stated they would make a decision on whether they would make it permanent fixture after the Perth fortnight."

Ireland (revised team)

Rink one: C Eadie (BIBC), G McElroy (BIBC), B Browne (BIBC), N Booth (CAIBC).

Rink two: S Falls (PTIBC), P McEwan (BIBC), S Coleman (CAIBC), I McClure (PTIBC).

Rink three: J Nicholl (CAIBC), R Coleman (CAIBC), R Battersby (BIBC), G McCloy (PTIBC).

Rink four: A Reid (PTIBC), J Boyd (BIBC), A Kyle (CAIBC), B Thompson (CAIBC).

Rink five: P Daly (BIBC), J McCullough (BIBC), G Kelly (PTIBC), J Ross (BIBC).

Rink six: M McPeak (BIBC), M Merritt (BIBC), D Corkill (BIBC), C Craig (BIBC).

Fixtures: Thursday: Ireland v England (N Booth v A Thomson; I McClure v G Harlow; G McCloy v S Farish; B Thompson v G Smyth; J Ross v B Morley; C Craig v J Chestney).

Friday: Scotland v Ireland (W Wood v J Ross; G Robertson v C Craig; P Foster v N Booth; G Archer v I McClure; A Marshall v G McCloy; D Burnett v B Thompson).

Saturday: Ireland v Wales (G McCloy v M Wyatt; B Thompson v P Rowlands; J Ross v W Phillips; C Craig v R Weale; N Booth v J Price; I McClure v M Harding).