These Irish road bowlers hope to become European champions

At 8am on a blustery Sunday morning at Inchydoney Beach outside Clonakilty, a crowd of dedicated sports men and women are assembling on the sand; some are measuring out lengths and putting down markers. Others are warming up in tracksuits. They’re braving the elements while most of the guests in the Inchydoney Island Lodge Hotel overlooking them are probably turning over in their warm beds, contemplating what to have for breakfast.
These are some of Ireland’s top road bowlers. They’re here in preparation for the upcoming European Road Bowling Championships, taking place in Holland from May 5-8.