The Young Guns cover art

The Young Guns

The Young Guns

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

Ian McClure and Chris Mulholland open this episode with somber reflection, paying tribute to Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games gold medalist Freda Elliott, who passed away at the remarkable age of 99. Her legacy in Irish bowls will be remembered and celebrated by the community.

The hosts then provide comprehensive coverage of the busy period since the last episode, recapping results from the Irish Finals, the British Isles Championships and Internationals. They analyze performances from both the men's and ladies U25 International Series before turning to the historic Para International Series, where Ireland celebrated a memorable victory over England.

The episode covers important off-green developments, including the new Club Development Toolkit designed to help clubs grow and thrive, and the Women in Sport Spotlight Series that celebrates female participation in bowls. The hosts also examine the outdoor Irish Cup draws, building anticipation for the upcoming season.

Continuing their popular "Legend's Corner" segment, Ian reveals his selections for the first rink of the all-time Irish bowls legends team, adding to the dream team that Chris began building in the previous episode.

The main feature brings fresh energy and perspective to the podcast as three of Ireland's brightest young talents join the conversation. Isobel-Ruby Nolan (17), Graci Cassley (17), and Daniel Spratt (20) share their experiences and insights as the next generation of Irish bowls.

The young players discuss how they first discovered bowls and detail their careers to date, showcasing the achievements they've already accumulated at such young ages. They speak candidly about the enjoyment they get from playing the sport and the friendships they've formed through competing in younger age groups, highlighting the social aspect that makes bowls special.

In a valuable segment for the future of the sport, the trio offer their perspectives on what bowls can do to attract more young players. Their insights as active participants in youth bowls provide genuine, ground-level understanding of what works and what could be improved to grow the game among younger demographics.

The episode concludes with all three young players taking on the "#Jack in the Box Perfect Bowler" challenge, offering their unique perspectives on what makes an ideal player - perspectives shaped by their experience as the sport's emerging talents.

From honoring legends past to celebrating the stars of tomorrow, this episode captures the full spectrum of Irish bowls - remembering those who built the sport while showcasing the young guns who will carry it forward.

No reviews yet