RICHIE LEONARD

Full Name: Richie Leonard

Nickname within bowls or on bowling green: Stitchee

Who, where, how did you get the nickname: It’s a combination of Richie and Stitch (as in Stitch the jack) Got it off Joe Dunne from the Club 

DOB: 14/02/1983

Place of Birth: Ireland, Dublin

Occupation: Chartered Accountant

What format did you start playing:  
Outdoor

Which was your first club:
St James Gate Bowling Club

Person who introduced you to bowls:
My Dad

Who has been the biggest influence on your bowling career:
Stephen Millane, Played with him from a young age and he was amazing.
Jim Baker,
played against him when I was about 18 in an inter association match and he played us on his own. Superb performance.

Which formats have you played and which do you still play:
Only play outdoor

Which format do you prefer to play:
Love outdoor as its different conditions all the time and often you have to change the way you bowl depending on the green

Have you ever tried stadium bowls and would you play it if a stadium was within travelling distance:
Only ever played 3 or 4 times but would love to play if there was one in Dublin

Have you ever played short mat:
No never played

Make, model, size, colour and weight of bowls used for each format:
Henselite, Classic II, Size 3, Blue and Heavy. (might change to Tiger next season, Blue, Size 3, Heavy)

How many sets have you owned: 5 or 6

How often do you change/ get a new set of bowls:
Every 3 or 4 years, depends on success and how I feel I played in the previous season

Which clubs have you belonged to:
Only St James Gate

Which bowler would you like to meet/play alongside:
I have played alongside a number of great players already so there’s no-one in particular

Interests outside bowls:
Really any sport but also play football for St John Bosco

Childhood Sporting hero: Roy Keane 

  

What do you regard as your best or most satisfying achievement in bowls:
Winning the Irish Singles was one of my most satisfying moments but also getting selected for the Junior & Full International team 

What goal[s] do you have in bowls:
I would like to win the full set of Irish Titles and then hopefully win the full set of British Isle.
I would like to continue to be selected for the International team and hopefully reach 50 caps.
Maybe one day represent Ireland in the World Championships
 
At what age did you make your international debut in each format:
Outdoor U25’s I was 16 (1999) and Senior International’s I was 25 (2008)
 
What outdoor green is the best you have played on:
In Southern Ireland:
Crumlin / St James Gate

In UK: Sighthill/ Worthing 

In NI: Ulster Transport/ Old Bleach 

Most difficult opponent:
Blair Sommers - very consistent and is a good player 

Which opponent [if any] do you regularly play that usually beats you:
My Dad, probably because we play so many times and its hard to get motivated for a family match. Outside the club, probably Doni Garvey. Think I played him twice and have lost twice. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, he’s now on my hit list 

What frustrates you most when playing:
probably people that celebrate shots that there not even going for 

If you could change one policy/rule what would it be:
Bring back the rule of giving the jack away 

Would you be in favour of players forming their own think-tank and having a place on the management committee of each outdoor association including the IBA:
Yes what harm can it do. All ideas should be explored to make the game better 

Do you think respected past and current internationals should be invited to have an input with the u25s:
Yes its important to hear from thoses who have done it all. That’s probably the reason for Jim Bakers recent successes with the Junior & Senior international teams  

How many caps at international level in each format:
Outdoor U25’s 26 caps I think and Senior 12 caps 

Who is the top five most promising prospects:
1. Shane Leonard - Could possible be the best player to ever come out of the BLI. Very talented and will likely win may Irish Titles

2. Danny Coad - Very good lead but hasn’t had any BLI success to date but im sure its only a matter of time

3. Robbie Maher - I have seen a massive improvement in his game this year and next year will prove whether it was a flash in the pan. (I think we’ll hear more about him)

4. Gareth Pierpoint - Exceptional lead. He lead against me in the Inter association last year and he absolutely decorated it. Great career ahead of him

How many major and national titles have you won, which format and discipline? 

Singles - 1 Irish, 1 British Isle

Pairs - 1 Irish

Triples - 3 Irish

Under 25’ Singles – 3 Irish

Fours - No Irish

  

Association titles:

Singles - 1 BLI 

Pairs - 3 BLI

Triples - 4 BLI

Fours - 3 BLI 

Under 25’ Singles – 4 BLI 

Under 18’s -1 BLI

© 2007 Renegade Bowls------------------------------------------------------------------------------Christ Jesus gave his life as a ransom for all. 1 Tim 2 6

the Son of man came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many

Mark chapter 11 verse 45

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