CLOSE to 120 people attended the IPA annual awards and ball hosted by Tyrella Club in the Ramada Hotel, Dundalk, recently.

Opening the evening, Will Armstrong of Tyrella Club, and IPA board member, welcomed all who to the event which celebrated the achievements of the 2016 season and thanked those who worked behind the scenes in organising the evening.

Master of ceremonies for presenting the awards was Paul Scott, chairperson of the Irish Polocrosse Association. He hanked Bluegrass Horse Feeds for their sponsorship of the new Special Merit Award over the next three years. He also thanked those who had kindly donated raffle prizes including Horseware, TRI Equestrian and Mother Bee products. The first awards of the evening was presented to those in the A Grade category. Best player for the Number 1 position went to Conor Doyle of Horetown Club. Best Number 2 player was won by Eoin O’Donnell of Equus Club while Shane Harris of Tipperary Club claimed both Best Number 3 player and Best Horse for his mount Voltage.

Prize winners in the B Grade category included Caroline Bradshaw of Wicklow Bay Club for Number 1 position, Danny O’Leary of Limerick Club for Number 2 position and Abbey Hamill of Wicklow Bay club for Number 3 position. Abbeys horse Diego also won Best Horse in B Grade. Those presented with prizes in the C Grade category were Ben Darcy of Wicklow Bay Club for Best Number 1 position, Tadhg O’Leary of Birr Club for Best Number 2 position and John Byrne of Horetown Club for Best Number 3 position. Best Horse in this category went to Quest owned by Lauren O’Malley of Carrickmines Club.

It was also a good night for D Grade players Julie Doyle of Horetown Club who won Best Number 1 position, Johnny Paul Carroll of Limerick Club who won Best Number 2 position and Francis Nichol of Limerick Club who won Best Number 3 position. The prize for Best Horse in D Grade went to Siobhan O’Keeffe of Carrickmines for her horse Whiskey.

This year the IPA introduced a Best Umpire Award which recognises the work and huge importance of the role of umpiring in the sport. David Deak of Equus Club was the successful prize winner of this category.

The final award presented was the Special Merit Award and Craig Kileff of Bluegrass Horse Feeds did the honours. This new award recognises those who have given outstanding contribution to Irish Polocrosse. Jacqui Keogh of Equus Club won the prize beating off stiff competition from Tony O’Donnell, Hilary Barnes, Clive Nuzum, Angela Fynn, Joanne McDonagh and Paul Scott. Jacqui was nominated due to her commitment in particular to International polocrosse relations and incredible hospitality to incoming tour visitors. A fantastic organiser, Jacqui always makes sure that visitors leave with a very positive view of Irish polocrosse.