IAN McCLURE

Nickname on bowling green: Macca 

How did you get the nickname: 
I received this name from my team mates at Taren Point in Australia 

DOB/Age: 23rd August 1973 - 35yrs  

Occupation: Management Consultant 

What format did you start playing:

I started playing outdoor in 1988.
The same year I visited the reigning Irish U-25 champion Wibbly in the first round of the U-25's in Magherafelt. I managed to pip him 21-20 after being 19-5 up and nearly throwing it away. I even shared my can of coke with him 

Which was your first club: Portrush 

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

I play primarily stadium and outdoor although I play shortmat at Christmas in two prestigious tournaments i.e Four nations which includes Dober, Wibbly and Nokie and the PTIBC Christmas tournament which I have won the Pairs with the newly crowned Champion of Champions Singles Winner Ed Curran.

Which format do you prefer to play: Outdoor

Reason: For the team competition, the banter and craic

Make, model, size, colour and weight of bowls:

Indoor - Taylor Ace Heavy 4, black
Outdoor - Taylor Ace Medium 4, black
Shortmat - Whatever bowl is at hand

Who introduced you to bowls:  
My dad and ex-international Willie Murray

Who has been the biggest influence on your bowling career: 
My dad who has travelled all over to bowls events with me

Who would you most like to meet: 
Wibbly after winning the Four nations shortmat tournament - will never happen. On some occasions he does not even get a shot!  

Interests outside bowls:  
Supporting Liverpool - the mighty reds

Childhood Sporting hero:  
Kenny Dalglish 

Most memorable moment [in bowls or in life]: 
Winning World Indoor pairs with my mate Dober and Winning Commonwealth Gold.

Also winning Commonwealth bronze in 1994 In Canada on my 21st Bday! 

If you could change one policy/rule what would it be: 
Introduce a stop clock to help me relax

What do you regard as your best or most satisfying achievement in bowls: Winning World Indoor pairs with my mate Dober and Winning Commonwealth Title.
Also making your first appearance for Ireland is special and being asked to captain the Indoor team.

What goal[s] do you have in bowls: 
To win an Irish Fours Title and complete my Indoor and Outdoor Irish Set

At what age did you make your international debut in each format: 
Outdoor - 18 [58 caps]
Indoor - 17 [46 caps]

What year: 1990

How many major and national titles have you won, which format and discipline: 
1 World Title -  Indoor Pairs Champion 2004 (with Jeremy Henry)  

1 Commonwealth Title - Gold medal in the fours 1998    

1 British Isles Title - Triples Winner – Outdoor - 1995

13 National Titles -
Stadium 
U-25 Singles – 1991,
Singles – 1992, 
Pairs – 2006, 2008
Triples –1992,1997,2002, 
Fours – 1994, 2004 
Outdoor 
Singles – 2008,
Pairs – 1994 and 2006,
Triples - 1994

What outdoor green is the best you have played on in the UK:
Worthing a few years ago 
In NI: Ballymena

Most difficult opponent: Barry Big Bowl Moffatt

Which opponent [if any] do you regularly play that usually beats you:
Wibbly

What frustrates you most when playing:  
Players who have not got a clue about weight and call for wicks

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

Do you think respected past and current internationals should be invited to have an input with the u25s: 
Absolutely

Other titles or near misses: 
Commonwealth Games Fours Bronze 1994

World Outdoor Triples Bronze 2000

World Indoor Pairs semi – finalist (1993, 1994 & 2001 - (twice with Stevie Adamson and once with Jeremy Henry)

Flogas Irish Masters Champion 1993

Jersey International Classic Triples winner 1993 (Charlie Davis and Victor Dallas)

European Indoor Triples winner 1997

World indoor Pairs Semi Finalist 1993 with S Adamson lost 3 sets to 2 (7-5 in last set) to 7 times winners Bryant and Allcock.

World indoor Pairs Semi Finalist 1994 with S Adamson lost 3 sets to nil to eventual winners Smith and Thompson.

World indoor Pairs Semi Finalist 2002 with J Henry lost 2 1 tie break to eventual winners P Foster and H duff

British Isles Triples runner up 1992 - lost to G Robertson

British Isles Fours runner up 2004 – lost to G Harlow and 1994 lost to Wynne Richards

Lost 8 Irish finals

Other points of interest: 
Represented N Ireland at Commonwealth Games – 1994 & 1998

Represented Ireland at World Bowls Championships – 1996 & 2000

Represented Ireland at Mazda ‘Jack High’ in Australia 1995 (Sydney)

One of only two Irish players to have won Irish, British, World and Commonwealth championships – (N Booth being the other)

One of only 8 players to have won the four main PBA titles outdoor

Winner of Irish Indoor Qualifier for the World Indoor Singles Championships 3 times.

Winner of Irish Indoor Qualifier for the World Indoor Pairs Championship 5 times (With Jeremy Henry)

Coleraine Borough Council Sports Personality of the year 1998 & 1995

Member of the Belfast Telegraph Team of the Year 1998 – NI Sports Awards

Awarded player of the year trophy for Taren Point in NSW Premier League 2007