1. Tournaments
Our competitions are open to players of all ages and ability levels. You do not need to have played before and you can pay entry fees on the day of the event.
We operate a dress code consisting of long sleeve shirt, proper trousers (no denims or combats), proper shoes and a waistcoat. A tie or bow-tie is optional. From January 2016 players may purchase an offical IPA Tour Polo Shirt as an alternative to wearing a waistcoat and shirt for Tournaments (note for the Irish Championships and Inter Counties a shirt and waistcoat must still be worn).
For Under 15 players the dress code is not enforced however players are expected to wear proper trousers and a long sleeve shirt.
Men: Entries for the mens competition must be submitted at the latest on the Saturday prior to the tournament. To enter please text David (I.P.A. Chairman) 0864424644 or Ken on 0864142717. You will only be registered when you receive a confirmation text.. The entry fee is €50 per tournament. Competition starts on the Friday evening of each tournament weekend, however some players will not commence their matches until Saturday.
The list of entered players and the time they will be playing will be published online in advance of the competition. Players can enter and pay in advance for all 6 competitions and get one tournament free, a saving of €50 over the year. Prize money is awarded for players reaching the last 32 onwards. Winner receives €1,000.
Ladies and junior players are welcome to also enter the mens competition.
For more information about the new format for the mens competitions please click here
Ladies: There will be a ladies competition at every tournament and players need to pre enter a week beforehand. The ladies competition commences on the Sunday morning of each event. Entry fee is €20 and all money paid in entry fees is given back out in prize money. The is also a plate event for all first round losers so all competitors are guaranteed at least 2 matches.
Over 50’s: Over 50’s (Seniors) competition at every tournament and players need to pre enter a week beforehand. . This competition will commence on the Sunday morning of each event at 10am. Matches will be best of 9 frames with the final best of 11. Entry fee €20 per tournament.
Under 23: Under 23’s need to pre enter the week before the competition, similar to men. The entry fee is €20 for the Under 23s. The competition will start at approximately 10.30pm on Friday evening with the preliminary and first round taking place. The last 16 is played on Saturday morning. Entry fee for the Under 23’s competition is €20 and all money paid in entry fees is given out in prize money.
Under 18: The Under 18 competition takes place on Sunday morning at 10am. The entry fee is €10 and players can register on the day before 9.45am. Under 18 players who also wish to play in the Men’s Main Tour and Under 23 competitions pay an entry fee of €40 for all three competitions.
Under 15: The entry fee for this competition is €10 and is designed to encourage young players to take part and learn the rules. The competition starts at 12 noon on Sunday morning so players should register their names by 11.45am.
For any players who wish to enter the, mens, under 18’s and under 23s the combined entry fee is €60.
Wheelchair users & players with disabilities: All players are welcome to take part in our competitions irrespective of any disability, physical or intellectual, that they may have. At present we only offer an exclusive competition for wheelchair users at the Irish Championships and where there is enough interest we select players to participate in wheelchair competitions if they are offered at international competitions.
2. Inter County Competition
In addition to the six tournaments and the Irish Championships, we also run an Inter County Competition for county teams. Competition takes place for mens A and B, ladies, over 50’s, under 23, under 18 and under 15 teams. These competitions take place at the end of the tournament season, usually over the June bank holiday weekend.
3. Qualifying for the Irish Teams
Each year we send teams to the European Pool Championships (usually held in February) and the World Championships (usually in June/July). Players qualify for the teams either by competing at team trials or by gaining automatic qualification (for example by winning the Irish Singles Championship title or by finishing No.1 in the rankings). Other players qualify if they are currently on the team and have maintained a high average record at the World Championships.
A number of team places each year are reserved for players who qualify for trials. Players are invited to participate in the trials by finishing at the top of the tournament ranking lists at the end of the season.
Occasionally the team Managers in consultation with the Executive Committee will offer a “wild card” into the trials for a player who they feel merits a place at trials but who has been unable to qualify for a trials place through the usual channels. For more information about team selection please email [email protected] with your specific query.
Please click here to view the qualifying information for 2020/2021
4. Dress Code
The dress code for all players is long sleeve shirt or approved county polo shirt, proper trousers (i.e. not denims or combats), proper shoes (i.e. not runners/trainers) and waistcoat. A tie or bow-tie is optional. The penalty for breach of dress code is immediate loss of a frame.
From September 2022 it was voted at AGM that in addition to the proper attire stated above that players may now also wear an approved county polo shirt. Local county reps can provide details on aquiring an approved polo.
For Under 15 players the dress code is not enforced however players are expected to wear proper trousers and a long sleeve shirt or approved county polo.