Jimmy Donnelly (bowls)

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Jimmy Donnelly
Personal information
NationalityBritish (Northern Irish)
Born(1928-04-11)11 April 1928
Belfast
Sport
SportLawn bowls
ClubFalls BC
Medal record
Representing  Northern Ireland
Commonwealth Games
Bronze medal – third place 1970 Edinburgh pairs
World Indoor Bowls Championships
Silver medal – second place 1979 Coatbridge singles
Representing combined Ireland
British Isles Championships
Gold medal – first place 1980 pairs
Gold medal – first place 1969 triples

James J Donnelly known as 'Jimmy' is a retired Irish international lawn bowler.[1][2]

Bowls career[edit]

He represented Northern Ireland at three Commonwealth Games and his best achievement was winning a bronze medal in the pairs at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh with Syd Thompson.[3][4]

He won the 1979 pairs title and 1968 fours title at the Irish National Bowls Championships when bowling for the Falls Bowls Club. In addition he has won five National indoor titles and was Ireland's bowler of the year in 1965.[5]

He was the runner-up in the 1979 World Indoor Bowls Championship, losing out to the legendary David Bryant.

Legacy[edit]

The 'Jimmy Donnelly Trophy', an award given to Ireland's best bowler at the annual British Isles International series is named after him.[6] He was a mentor to Jim Baker.[7]

Personal life[edit]

He was a teacher by trade.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "profile". Bowls tawa.
  2. ^ "Commonwealth Games Medallists". GBR Athletics.
  3. ^ "Athletes and Results". Commonwealth Games Federation.
  4. ^ "CommonWealth Games: Golden moments and silver linings". Belfast Telegraph.
  5. ^ Hawkes/Lindley, Ken/Gerard (1974). the Encyclopaedia of Bowls. Robert Hale and Company. ISBN 0-7091-3658-7.
  6. ^ "News". Irish Indoor Bowls Association.
  7. ^ "Jim Baker". Ulster Sports Museum.