The winners from Kildare's hosting of All Ireland Horseshoe Pitching Championships

The All-Ireland Horseshoe Pitching Championships took place July 28-30 at Etex (Tegral) Sports Field, Athy, Co. Kildare. Here is a rundown of the results from the Championship weekend's action.

Friday July 28 Open Pairs Competition

The All Ireland Horseshoe Pitching (Meggars) Competitions 2023 held over the weekend was a tremendous success and this was down to the hard work put in by the host Club members of Gouleyduff, especially Michael Doyle and Jimmy Kelly, who kept the games going non stop. A special thanks to Clem Ryan of KFM for helping to make the weekend such a success.

On the games front the Wexford pitchers were in tremendous form. On Friday evening in the Open Pairs Competition, Paddy Connors and Damien Byrne of Bunclody beat Gerry Hyland, Gouleyduff Club and Sean Geoghegan Spiddal Club, Galway in the final.

Saturday July 29 2023 All Ireland Club Championship

The first Competition on Saturday was the All Ireland Club Championship. This is when all the pitchers got their acts together. In Division One the Woodsmen, Bunclody were going for their fifth title in a row and they had a full squad for this one.

In the first semi final the host club Gouleyduff 'A', came up against the Innishowen team from Donegal, the Gouly lads got their act together in this one and came out of the blocks rearing to go, with Paddy Byrne and Michael Doyle in great form they set the bar high too high for Michael Mc Loughlin and partner Martin Doherty winning the set 21:11. In the second set Gerry Hyland and Jim Kelly had it tougher, but, they stuck in there and got the result 21:17 over the Donegal Pair Dan Harkin and Hughie Duffy. Gouleyduff last pair of Christy Doyle and Larry Dunne finished off the gamein style over Liam Ross and Peter McGonagle Innishowen.

In the second semi final the Woodsmen had a good win over the Galway Boys, with the Connors brothers Paddy and Tom, J J Byrne, Michael Redmond, Phil Mahon, Chris McDonald, all in fine form against Martin Malone, John Connolly, and Pat Folan being best for Galway.

The final between the host club Gouleyduff 'A' and Woodsmen was a real dinger of a game, Paddy Byrne and Michael Doyle were holding their own against their more fancied opponents, Paddy Connors and Phil Mahon. After a right good battle the Woodsmen pair came out on top21:18.

In the second set Gerry Hyland and Jim Kelly started off very well and got a lead on their opponents J J Byrne and Tom Connors but unfortunately they couldnt hold it as the Wexford pair took off pitching great shoes, the Gouleyduff pair couldnt match them losing out 21:15. In the final set Goulys last pair of Christy Doyle and Larry Dunne gave it their best shot but just fell short to the more experienced Woodsmens last pair of Michael Redmond and Chris McDonald the Woodsmen taking their fifth title on the trot.

Saturday July 29 2023 Division Two Club Championship

In the Division Two Club Championship the semi finals were as follows Gouleyduff 'B' versus the Legends (Wexford) in the first semi.

This was a close affair with just a couple of aces sparating the teams at the finish. Best for the winners were Michael Sunderland and Walter Christopher, Mick , Gerry and Elvis Connors. While for Gouleyduff 'B' Johnny Doyle, Liam Brennan, John Prendergast and Tony Hyland were best.

The second semi final between Galway side, Cois Fharraige and Innishowen 'B' was a tight affair with the Galway Boys just shading it to get through to the final. Best for winners were Tadgh Conneely , Sean Geoghan, Martin Scanlon and Pat Molloy. For Innnishowen Sean Harkin, Mickey McElhenny and Pat Doherty were to the fore.

The All Ireland Singles

Division One

The next Competition up was the All Ireland Singles. In Division One after some great tussles the semi finals were as follows: J J Byrne (Wexford) versus Michael Doyle Gouleyduff, this was a good close game, Michael Doyle a bit unlucky to lose out to

JJ Byrne.

The second semi final was a closer affair between Tom Connors and Michael Rredmond, both “Woodsmen Club” this was a very close game up to the three quarter stage when Redmond pulled away to win 21:16.

The final between J J Byrne and club mate Michael Redmond and see sawed all the way through, when it looked like Redmond had the game in the bag, back cameByrne and pipped him on the post 21:20 to take the All Ireland Singles Division One for 2023.

Division Two

The second Division was equally as close as the First Division, in one semi final, Tadgh Conneely of Galway just got the better of young Michael Sunderland of Wexford 21:19 to reach the final. While Pat Molloy of Galway had a great game against Peter McGonagle of Donegal in the seconnd semi final winning 21:19.

The final between two Galway men never lived up to the stanndard of some of the earlier games. Pat Molloy taking the Division Two title with a few aces to spare over Tadgh Conneely.

Sunday July 2023 All Ireland Pairs Competition

On Sunday morning the All Ireland Pairs Competition was held, an early start was called for because all the Pitchers wished to see the GAA All Ireland Football final between Kerry and Dublin.

The semi finalists in Division One were Paddy Connors and Michael Redmond versus J J Byrne and Tom Connors, all Woodsmen Club. This was a great game with brilliant pitching from all four, this one went down to the wire with J J Byrne and Tom connors coming out the right side 21:20 to reach the final.

The second semi final between Gouleyduff Pair Paddy Byrne and Mick Doyle and Donegal Pair Michael Mc Laughlin and Martin Doherty. Byrne and Doyle had too much in the tank for the Donegal lads and they went on to reach the final on the scorline 21/15.

The final started with a bang with the two Wexford lads racing into a nine nil lead before the Gouly lads got off the ground but they did and from there to the finish they fought like tigers and were just edged out at the death 21:20, Byrne and Connors the All Ireland Pairs winners for 2023.

Division Two

In Division Two, again, there was some great pitching, the Wexford Boys were again to the fore in this Division with three Wexford pairs in the semi final and one Donegal pair. In the first semi an all Wexford pairing of Gerry Connors and Mick Connors versus Elvis Connors and Damian Byrne. This was a close encounter with first cousins Gerry and Mick Connors coming out on top 21:18 to reach the final for the first time. The second semi final between another Wexford pair Michael Sunderland and Walter Christopher versus Liam Ross and Peter McGonagle of Innishowen, Donegal. This semi final was one sided as the two Wexford chaps gave an exhibition of Horseshoe Pitching winning 21:07 to reach the final.

The final again never lived up to the standard of earlier rounds. Sunderland and Christopher took the Division Two title at the expense of the two young Connors, they tried hard in their first ever final.

The presentation of prizes was made at a function in the Clanard Court Hotel on Sunday night by vice Chairman, Michael McLoughlin and secretary Martin Doherty both Donegal. A good night was had by all present.