Eamon, 99, wins Irish Junior Cup

This year, the Irish Junior Cup was won by Newcastle Bowling Club.
It was the first time the club have reached an Irish final.
One player, who perhaps made a piece of history was the not so junior, Eamon Lennon, who at 99-years-old, the club believe is possibly the oldest player to win a national title.
Eamon, started playing bowls at Castle Park, home of Newcastle BC, as a teenager. He moved to America to work in New York, returning home to County Down in 1986 and of course back to the bowling green.
His moto: ‘If you need me, I’ll play’ sees him still playing two-three matches a week. Selectors called on Eamon for the Irish Cup and he stepped in to help his much-loved club to win 85-74 against the favoured Balmoral.
Newcastle club captain, Ian McKeown said: “Eamon Lennon in an inspiration to all. He lives life to the full, playing a round of golf most morning, on the bowling green most days of the week and plays short mat bowls throughout the winter. Always has a smile and a quiet word of welcome. One of life’s true gentlemen.”
Newcastle senior team won the final fixture of this year’s campaign to complete a treble of titles, namely the Irish Junior Cup, NIBA Division three title and NIBA Junior Cup Winners. The side beaten only three times in all competitions.
Cub captain Ian McKeown has now achieved a treble at both senior and junior level
Twice with previous club Belmont (1985 and 1996) when they won the IBA Senior cup, PGL Senior Cup and PGL Senior League. Ian, who adds so much experience to our team includes a British Isles fours title among his impressive list achievements.
Newcastle, have achieved the equivalent at junior level in the NIBA this year.

Caption: Eamon centre holding cup with Derek Gibbons, 88, and Sam Hardy, 87, and the Newcastle team

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