Rocks Jewellers Singles End of Season Finals 2020 – Results

An early 8:00 am check-in for bowlers in the first round, ready for the “Double Elimination” finals format in both Scratch and Handicap sections. 8 hours later at around 4:00 pm, 48 head-to-head matches completed (each match decided on – 2 games total pinfall) we were down to the Scratch and Handicap finals.

Paolo DiTofano had lost to Brian in the Winners section 3rd round by 421 to 370 and had fought his way back through the Losers section for the rematch. Paolo started strongly and remained in front throughout to take a 19 pin lead (210 -191) into the final game. Unable to maintain his form Paolo opened 3 frames (2 splits and a 9 miss) to post a 183 to Brian’s 217 (1 split) giving Brian the match and Handicap title by 408 to 393.

Karl Dryer just couldn’t get anything to go his way in the first game of the Scratch section Final and found himself 44 pins down (159 – 203) to Gareth. Game 2 was a different story, Gareth started with 4 strikes followed by a 9 miss, Karl started with 3 strikes and a split and then closed out the game 8 strikes in a row to post a 264 game. This meant Gareth had to close the 10th frame to win, which he did to score 226 and in doing forced the double elimination decider with a 429 win to Karl’s 423.

Karl continued to exert the pressure in the opening game with a 245 to Gareth’s 231 to take a 14 pin lead into the deciding game. An opening split for Karl, another in the 5th frame gave Gareth a 54 pin lead at halfway which was enough to carry him through to take the match with a 209 to Karl’s 169 and the Scratch title by 440 to Karl’s 414.

You can see how all the finalists fared throughout the day as all the results (Scratch & Handicap – Winners & Losers sections) and Prize-winners details by going to the http://www.bowlingforall.ie web Rocks results .

Our thanks go to Lorraine, Sarah, Sean and all the staff in Leisureplex Tallaght (& Stillorgan) for their support during the season and throughout the long Finals day, to John Dunne and Tim Dawson for the web support, posting our results and updates, to Emer, Jason for their continued support and involvement  throughout the extra-long season.

Thanks to Paddy Gibbons for the photo’s from the Finals day and also for putting together a memorable video from the day which can be played/downloaded from his link in the section below for a limited period.

The Last Rocks Jewellers Singles Grand Prix 19:12:2021

Thanks to the bowlers who have participated and supported the Rocks Jewellers Singles over the past 10 seasons, thank you for your kind words when we’ve talked at the last  2 qualifying events and again at the Finals on Sunday and your WhatsApp posts, they are very much appreciated. 

It’s been great to be involved from the start, to run an event that spans all age groups, genders and abilities and see so many bowlers at different levels improve and advance to higher levels in that time.

None of this would have been possible without the continued support of Victor Rock & all at Rocks Jewellers for their sponsorship of the Rocks Jewellers Singles event over the last 10 years.

Many of you have asked …… whats next ?

Our view  …… maintain the above coverage whatever the format is – its good for bowler development, social interaction and competitiveness.

Whether individually or combined it is down to You, the bowlers to get involved, put ideas foward you think will work, talk to Centres, Pro Shops, ITBA committees and potential sponsors to move those ideas forward.  

Signing out for the last time and wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Covid free New Year.



Tom & Barry

Rocks Jewellers Singles End of Season Finals 2020 – Results

An early 8:00 am check-in for bowlers in the first round, ready for the “Double Elimination” finals format in both Scratch and Handicap sections. 8 hours later at around 4:00 pm, 48 head-to-head matches completed (each match decided on – 2 games total pinfall) we were down to the Scratch and Handicap finals.

Paolo DiTofano had lost to Brian in the Winners section 3rd round by 421 to 370 and had fought his way back through the Losers section for the rematch. Paolo started strongly and remained in front throughout to take a 19 pin lead (210 -191) into the final game. Unable to maintain his form Paolo opened 3 frames (2 splits and a 9 miss) to post a 183 to Brian’s 217 (1 split) giving Brian the match and Handicap title by 408 to 393.

Karl Dryer just couldn’t get anything to go his way in the first game of the Scratch section Final and found himself 44 pins down (159 – 203) to Gareth. Game 2 was a different story, Gareth started with 4 strikes followed by a 9 miss, Karl started with 3 strikes and a split and then closed out the game 8 strikes in a row to post a 264 game. This meant Gareth had to close the 10th frame to win, which he did to score 226 and in doing forced the double elimination decider with a 429 win to Karl’s 423.

Karl continued to exert the pressure in the opening game with a 245 to Gareth’s 231 to take a 14 pin lead into the deciding game. An opening split for Karl, another in the 5th frame gave Gareth a 54 pin lead at halfway which was enough to carry him through to take the match with a 209 to Karl’s 169 and the Scratch title by 440 to Karl’s 414.

You can see how all the finalists fared throughout the day as all the results (Scratch & Handicap – Winners & Losers sections) and Prize-winners details by going to the http://www.bowlingforall.ie web Rocks results .

Our thanks go to Lorraine, Sarah, Sean and all the staff in Leisureplex Tallaght (& Stillorgan) for their support during the season and throughout the long Finals day, to John Dunne and Tim Dawson for the web support, posting our results and updates, to Emer, Jason for their continued support and involvement  throughout the extra-long season.

Thanks to Paddy Gibbons for the photo’s from the Finals day and also for putting together a memorable video from the day which can be played/downloaded from his link in the section below for a limited period.

The Last Rocks Jewellers Singles Grand Prix 19:12:2021

Thanks to the bowlers who have participated and supported the Rocks Jewellers Singles over the past 10 seasons, thank you for your kind words when we’ve talked at the last  2 qualifying events and again at the Finals on Sunday and your WhatsApp posts, they are very much appreciated. 

It’s been great to be involved from the start, to run an event that spans all age groups, genders and abilities and see so many bowlers at different levels improve and advance to higher levels in that time.

None of this would have been possible without the continued support of Victor Rock & all at Rocks Jewellers for their sponsorship of the Rocks Jewellers Singles event over the last 10 years.

Many of you have asked …… whats next ?

Our view  …… maintain the above coverage whatever the format is – its good for bowler development, social interaction and competitiveness.

Whether individually or combined it is down to You, the bowlers to get involved, put ideas foward you think will work, talk to Centres, Pro Shops, ITBA committees and potential sponsors to move those ideas forward.  

Signing out for the last time and wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Covid free New Year.



Tom & Barry

Open position on the ITBA Executive.

The ITBA Executive Committee are currently looking for a member to fill the role of Executive Secretary until the next AGM in April 2022. This opening has arisen upon the resignation on September 6th of the secretary appointed at the 2021 AGM.

For further detail please visit the Executive Forms & Documents or click here.

Open position on the ITBA Executive.

The ITBA Executive Committee are currently looking for a member to fill the role of Executive Secretary until the next AGM in April 2022. This opening has arisen upon the resignation on September 6th of the secretary appointed at the 2021 AGM.

For further detail please visit the Executive Forms & Documents or click here.

Government announcement on easing of Restrictions

On Friday May 28th the Government announced a further easing of Restrictions for June and July.

Key Highlights relating to sport and physical activity are summarised below.

From 7 June

  • Outdoor sports matches & competition can recommence.
  • The numbers permitted at organised outdoor events is a maximum of 100 for the majority of venues, with a maximum of 200 for outdoor venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000.
  • Indoor facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres and sports clubs can reopen for individual training. Sport Ireland has previously provided guidance to the sector on the delivery of individual indoor sport. This Guidance is reattached for convenience.
  • Swimming lessons and classes can also resume.

From 5 July (Subject to Public Health)

  • The numbers permitted at outdoor organised events can further increase to a maximum of 200 for the majority of venues, with a maximum of 500 for outdoor stadia/venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000
  • Indoor sports training, exercise and dance activities can recommence in pods of up to 6
  • Additional indoor facilities such as bowling alleys, snooker halls, ice-skating/roller skating rinks and waterparks can reopen in line with appropriate sectoral guidance

Please find some additional information / reminders in relation to the resumption of sport and physical activity during the current June phase.

Outdoor Competition:

‘The numbers permitted at organised outdoor events is a maximum of 100 for the majority of venues, with a maximum of 200 for outdoor venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000.’

These figures 100/200 relate to the number of spectators that will now be permitted to attend an event. These figures are independent of participants, officials and coaches.

Sport Ireland has previously distributed guidance to individual / non team sports in relation to delivering competition. NGBs are encouraged to continue to take a prudent approach to overall capacities in the initial return and are encouraged to discuss competition plans and needs with Sport Ireland.

Outdoor Training:

While the return to outdoor Competition can return, the Pods of 15 concept are still maintained for training purposes. In line with previous phases, multiple pods can be used during training sessions however these pods should not mix.

Indoor Individual Training Capacities:

Indoor training activity (no indoor Games, matches or competitions) is currently permitted.

Detailed Guidance on the return to Individual indoor Training specifically for NGBs and LSPs has been previously distributed by Sport Ireland and continues to apply.

The total numbers permitted in an indoor facility will be determined by the overall size of the venue.

When finalising capacity numbers sports should ensure that all relevant protocols in particular physical distancing can be fully implemented.

Other indoor leisure facilities, including gyms, are reopen for people to take part in individual exercise, including 1 to 1 training. It is important to note that indoor Group exercise classes are not permitted in those facilities at this point.

Managing Overall Capacities:

In addition to the gradual return to sporting activity, June & July will see a broader re-opening of society. Sporting Bodies should consider the return of multiple elements of activity such as competition, spectators, hospitality etc. at venues and plan accordingly.

Participation in Sporting Activity during COVID 19:

As with all activity during COVID 19 the return to training and competition should be on an opt-in basis, with participants taking personal responsibility to decide whether they are happy to return. It is important that participants are not be penalised if they wish to opt-out of activity.

Participants should be encouraged to communicate any concerns to their club and/or National Governing Body so that they can be addressed accordingly.

Youth and Adult Triple Crown Tournaments in 2021

We are all aware that COVID-19 has impacted bowling, with many Federations having little or no competitive bowling over the past year and currently there is no clarity of timescales for a route back. For this reason, the Triple Crown Presidium have decided to cancel the Youth and Adult Tournaments in 2021, having previously confirmed the cancellation of the Senior event in April.

This decision was not taken lightly, it will however allow all Federations to get back to competitive bowling in line with lockdown restrictions easing in each of the Home Nations, provide time to rebuild Triple Crown teams and to get back to form, creating optimism for some great competition in 2022. It also means that the hosts can plan and organise the events with a degree of confidence that they will go ahead.

2022 Triple Crown Tournaments
• Seniors – Ireland (April)
• Youths – England (August)
• Adults – Wales (September)

Thank you from Stan Dagg’s family

It is with much gratitude and appreciation that we wish to thank all those who sympathised with us on the death of our beloved Stan  –  a wonderful husband, father and grandfather  who is greatly missed.

We know many of you would have attended Stan’s funeral but sadly on account of Covid were unable to be there, so we particularly appreciated all the cards and letters of sympathy we received  … especially on rip.ie and also in the ITBA newsletter .

Our special thanks go to Paddy Gibbons for making a wonderful cd of Stan’s bowling achievements.  This means so much to us.

Also many thanks to John Wilson for writing a lovely tribute to Stan remembering him over the years.

Thanking you all so much  …

Joyce, Stephen, Lynda and Jenny.

ITBA 2021 Annual General Meeting

The ITBA Executive wish to advise that due to current COVID-19 restrictions it has been deemed necessary to postpone the 2021 Annual General Meeting scheduled for April 27th 2021.

As soon as restrictions allow, the Executive will reschedule the meeting and advise all members.