By Jonathan Brown
IT’S the end of an era at Castle Park bowling green as Cathal McKibbin calls time on his tenure as greenkeeper after 41 years.
The 66-year-old previously worked for the National Trust and Mourne Fireplaces before starting off as a trainee with Down District Council in the mid-1980s.
Before long, Cathal took over from Joe Rooney as head greenkeeper at Castle Park.
He’s been providing a pristine playing surface for Newcastle Bowling Club’s members ever since and oversaw the installation of a new playing surface in 2010.Now, the former St Malachy’s student is retiring after over four decades.
Cathal, who previously played indoor bowls and even threw a few bowls on his own green during his tenure, says one of the highlights of his career has been witnessing the recent success of the club he’s served so well over the years.
A series of promotions saw Newcastle playing in NIBA Division One for the first time in the club’s history last season, and they won the IBA Irish Junior Cup in 2023, to name just one of the many individual and team titles picked up in the last four years.
“I have a great relationship with the bowling club,” Cathal said.
“There’s been a lot of success at the club over the past few years, moving divisions and winning a lot of cups.
“There’s more players joining every year and it’s been great to see.”
Looking after a bowling green is no easy task, as Cathal explained.
“It’s not just as plain and simple as cutting the grass, you have to feed it – it has to be looked after properly and right for the players.
“A green has to be perfect for the players, because if it wasn’t, they’d let you know about it!” he joked.
Reflecting on his career, Cathal said: “It’s half the battle when you enjoy the work.
“I enjoyed being around the green and meeting people from different visiting clubs.
“And it was nice to get praise from visiting teams too on the quality of the green.”
The greenkeeper received a long service recognition award from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council recently, with Newcastle BC members making a presentation to him during the curtain raiser for their new season on Saturday 11 April.
Newcastle Bowling Club has commended Cathal on his sterling service to the club over 41 years.
“The club would like to put on record it’s thanks to Cathal for the years of dedication, skill and commitment that has produced a bowling green at Castle Park that is the envy of visiting teams both near and far.
“The members consider him to be part of the family and everyone wishes him all the very best as he begins his retirement after his long years of service.
“In sport, clubs talk about the supporters being their extra player, helping the team to success.
In a similar way, the greenkeeper is the extra player in bowls.
Cathal has definitely been that for the Newcastle Bowling Club – he has always kept up to speed with results on a weekly basis.”
