Surf's Up For Rookie Liam at World Games in
Costa Rica
By Lloyd Murphy
Liam Joyce will be up against some stiff
competition this week as he makes his debut
for the Irish team at the International
Surfing Association Billabong World Games.
The competition started over the weekend in
Costa Rica and runs until next Saturday.
The Irish team is led by manager Stevie
Burns and coach Marcos Dias.
Joyce said: "It's great to represent Ireland
in the World Championships."
From a large Irish family that emigrated to
New Zealand from Ballinasloe, Co. Galway,
Joyce has been living back in this country
for the last two years.
He and team-mate Emmet O'Doherty will be
earning their first caps for their country,
while Fergal Smith, will be taking in the
event on his return journey from Western
Australia were he spent the last couple of
months chasing monster waves.
And Sligo surfer Stephen Kilfeather, who
claimed a podium finish at European Junior
level in 2002, makes his return to the team.
The Irish team will be aiming to maintain or
improve upon its current ranking, having
finished 16th at the 2008 World Surfing
Games -- the team's best result for many
years.
Following the World Games, Joyce will travel
down the west coast of Europe, competing in
the ASP World Qualifying Series contests in
Spain, Portugal, France, and the Canary
Islands. He will also represent Ireland at
the European Surfing Championship in Jersey
from the September 26 until October 4. |
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