Two polo loving nations” look forward to future engagements following the Pakistan Cup in Dublin Ireland
IRELAND and Pakistan are looking forward to a series of future engagements on polo grounds in Dublin Ireland at the All Ireland Polo Club and at the Shandur Polo Festival, which is scheduled to take place in Pakistan next July.
The LHK/Keelings team led by Colm Kelleher and Caroline Keeling took on past Pakistan Cup winners from Glenpatrick before going on to get the best of Wexford in the final
Invited by All Ireland Polo Club member and player Fayyaz Sharif (right) Her Excellency Aisha Farooqui attended the Pakistan Cup final at the historic Dublin club
The as-yet unconfirmed plans dovetail between the Irish polo season (May-September) and the festival of up to 14 days; the challenge to save the upcoming date as part of a series of encounters was issued by Her Excellency Aisha Farooqui when she attended the All Ireland Polo Club in September for the Pakistan Cup tournament.
“As two polo loving nations it is only right that they should visit and play polo in each other’s countries, so I am very excited and I hope to see one collaboration taking place,” said Ambassador Farooqui when she visited the historic 150-year-old Pavilion and polo grounds. “I think sport has the distinction of bringing people together. My congratulations to the winning team. It was very exciting to watch.”
The LHK/Keelings team of David Stone with Ambassador Farooqui, who attended the Pakistan Cup final; Colm Kelleher, Caroline Keeling and Michael Connolly were presented with the trophy by All Ireland Polo Club member and player, Fayyaz Sharif
Carol Stone was recognised for outstanding voluntary work on behalf of the All Ireland Polo Club by polo manager and husband, David Stone and All Ireland Polo Club President Paul Monahan
Only hours before the final along with the higher goal Pakistan Cup was won by the LHK/Keelings team of Colm Kelleher, Caroline Keeling, Michael Connolly and David Stone against Wexford’s Paddy Casey, Francisco Peluffo, Nick Murphy and Juan ‘Johnny’ Hearne celebrated the final tournament weekend of the season in style at a Polo and White Party along with the rest of the teams from across Ireland. The unique departure from the usual black-tie ball in the clubhouse included recognition of the contributions of core volunteers, acknowledged by polo manager David Stone.
Ireland’s own Michelle ‘Mrs Makeup’ Stone presented a series of carefully curated prizes to those that had made contributions to the sport of polo at the All Ireland Polo Club
Stunning style at the All Ireland Polo Club’s Polo and White Party from polo players Jennifer Doyle (l-r), Elaine Foley and Sinead Doyle
“There are a lot who don’t understand the actual work that goes into running a polo club and we thanked the people that are voluntary,” said David Stone. “They don’t get a lot of thanks, but we really do appreciate what they are doing.”
The evening included a host of special prizes, curated to each recipient by Ireland’s own Michelle Stone ‘Mrs Makeup’ and Dan Laverty from the Tyrone polo team.
While all in seriousness on the polo ground, girls in white know how to have fun; April Kent and Siobhan Herbst, sharing a giggle at the Polo and White Party in the All Ireland Polo Club
Ronan Cup winners Amelie, Summer and Tara Moore, Paddy Casey and Francisco Peluffo were presented with the lower goal Ronan Group Cup, presented by sponsor Paul Ronan (right) at the end of season tournament at the All Ireland Polo Club
Wexford took the Ronan Group Cup when they won their low goal final against Rocklow.
“It was a great day and great matches for the finals,” commented All Ireland Polo Club member and player Fayyaz Sharif when he presented the Pakistan Cup with Ambassador Farooqui. “Congratulations to LHK/Keelings.”
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Image credits: Kim Mullahey
