PGL bring in '˜big guns' for two-day IBA event

The NI Private Greens League selectors have 'beefed up' their chances of lifting the IBA Inter-association Championship by handing Alan Paul and Neil Mulholland their debut for Friday night's opening game against the Provincials at Belmont.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th May 2016, 06:33 BST
Neil Mulholland has been includedNeil Mulholland has been included
Neil Mulholland has been included

Both players are a welcome addition to the PGL challenge – they haven't had their hands on the IBA title since 2012.

Paul moved to Dunbarton for the new outdoor term from Provincial champions Ballymoney, while Ireland international Mulholland – a Commonwealth Games silver medalist – ended a long association with Lisnagarvey to move to Old Bleach.

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Their inclusion came at the best possible time for PGL as long serving Myles Greenfield decided to step down from representative bowls after 20 years’ service.

Paul’s absence is a big blow to the Provincials, who lifted the title by the narrowest of margins – on shot advantage – last season. They will also be missing Colin Hogg and Derek Smith.

IBA Inter-association Championship

Tomorrow night (all games at Belmont): Northern Ireland Bowling Association v Bowling League of Ireland; NI Private Greens League v NI Provincial Bowling Association.

Saturday morning: NIBA v NIPBA; BLI v NIPGL.

Saturday afternoon: NIPGL v NIBA; NIPBA v BLI.

Results

Northern Ireland Women’s Bowling Association Senior League: Ballyholme 1 Holywood 6; Banbridge 2 Dungannon 5; Divis 2 Donaghadee 5; Portadown 6 Lurgan 1; Whitehead 5 Newcastle 2.

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Northern Ireland Women’s Bowling Association Junior League: Curran 5 Antrim 0; Castle Park 5 Carrickfergus 0; Gilnahirk 1 Dromore 4; Newry 5 Lagan Valley 0.

Fixtures

Tonight: NIPBA Junior singles, round one: A Stratton (Ballymoney) v L Devenney (Limavady), D Morton (Castlerock) v R McMullan (Limavady), J Austin (City of Derry) v JL Moore (Dunluce), JP Fahy (Portrush) v C Marshall (Limavady), R Harris (Portstewart) v R O’Kane (Letterkenny), R Hutchinson (Castlerock) v J Darragh (Kilrea).

Senior fours, round one: D Culbertson (Dunluce) v W Moore (Limavady), J Martin (Magherafelt) v W McCaw (Ballymoney).

Related topics:IrelandLimavady