Tullow’s active retirement bowlers scoop the silverware
The Tullow teams pictured with Mai Quaid, president of Active Retirement Ireland, at the national bowls finals in Killarney
CARLOW Active Retirement bowls teams the Tullow Rollers and Tullow Smilers have triumphed at the 2024 national indoor mats competition, which took place at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney recently.
Tullow Rollers team members John Farrell, Kathleen Flanagan, Seamie Doyle and Liam Lyons took home the small bowls cup. Tullow Smilers, comprised of Phil Doyle, Molly Mulhall, Pat Costigan and Fran Mullen, emerged victorious in the small bowls plate, edging out runners-up NARA Bernie from Newbridge.
Active Retirement Ireland national president Mai Quaid presented both teams with their prizes at a special gala ball to close the competition.
Over three days, 42 Active Retirement teams from across the country competed for the Active Retirement Ireland Cup in indoor mat bowls at the organisation’s 12th annual flagship event.
Speaking at the awards presentation, Active Retirement Ireland CEO Maureen Kavanagh said: “Congratulations to the Tullow Rollers and Tullow Smilers bowls teams for their fantastic achievement at this year’s National Bowls Competition, taking both the small bowls cup and plate back to Carlow.
“The pride of Tullow, this success is also a family affair, with Tullow Smilers’ Molly Mulhall and Tullow Rollers’ Kathleen Flanagan a mother and daughter bowling dynasty.” There are 12 active retirement associations (ARAs) in local communities across Carlow. ARAs allow groups of older people to come together to organise social events and activities to reduce isolation and loneliness.
