THE All Ireland Polo Championship opened for the first time in circa 100 years or at the very latest, since the start of World War II in the first of two championships leagues at the All Ireland Polo Club in Phoenix Park last weekend.
One of only two teams to enter the tournament under the traditional county title and colours, Tyrone were in the lead by the end of the tournament based on a points system of two for a win and one for a draw.
Eamonn Laverty, Peter Fell, Facundo Matilla and Johnny Hearne for Tyrone got the best of Rocklow, earning two points for the win and went on to draw against Pegus for the second of three points in total.
Rocklow’s Paul Ronan, Mark Ronan, Sean Connolly and April Kent earned two points in the league, as did James and Denis Connolly, Jock Thompson and Emmet Connolly in their match against Bunclody. Pegus earned one point in the draw with Tyrone while Bunclody have yet to earn any points.
LHK Insurance and Kildare will play their first games in July (Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd), while the best in the first league will most likely face Tyrone.
The winning team in the All Ireland Polo Championship will earn a cash prize minimum of €1,600.
“The All Ireland Polo Championship for the Eduardo Albaraccine Trophy and cash prize fund to the winner will be based on standings after all matches are played,” said Championship Co-ordinator Paul Ronan.
From its earliest days until sometime after World War I, the All Ireland Polo Club was the place to be for the finalists in the County Club leagues, spanning many of the Southern Ireland counties wherever there was a garrison in place. While the All Ireland Polo Cup is long lost, individual prizes awarded to team players have occasionally turned up online for sale, the oldest known circa 1905. The winning county club team earned the right to represent the All Ireland Polo Club in the following season.
While the main aim of the Championship is to determine the winning national team, this particular tournament played successively in leagues will mark the Eduardo Albaraccine Trophy as the Nations Cup for polo.