Wolly Toms Cup - Day 3

Day 3, Monday 1 January 2007

Score 1 (Tullysaran) Maurice Rooney & Micheal O'Neill v Mickey Quigley & Sé Mullan (Tieve Tara)

Monday morning dawned alot calmer then the previous day and throwers Rooney and Quigley had the honour of bowling the first competitive bowls of the year for the Tullysaran and Tieve Tara clubs respectively. Alot was at stake in the first score as Tullysaran only needed one more win to retain the Wolly Toms cup for another year and indeed for Rooney and young Micheal O'Neill it proved to be extremly difficult to stay in touch of the stronger pairing of Quigley and Mullan. But they fought gamely onwards and with about a quarter of the score remaining, they got their rewards as O'Neill bowled accurately to allow the Tullysaran men to take the lead for the first time in the score. Quigley was not to be out done however and with his last throw, he expertly spun the bowl over the line and round the corner out of site leaving Rooney no chance with his throw. The win for Tieve Tara brought them to within 1 win of the visitors and 2 of the cup with the scores reading Tullysaran 4 - 3 Tieve Tara.

Score 2 (Tullysaran) Philip Corrigan & Saran Daly v Adrian O'Reilly & Rory O'Reilly (Tieve Tara)

With Tieve Tara needing to win the 2 remaining scores, they got of to just the start they needed by going almost a bowl up early and only the galant efforts of Saran Daly keeping the Tullysaran men in touch and Corrigan finding out the honeymoon period was well and truly over. With 14 year old Saran the most impressive bowler on show in this the second score, he showed what a great talent he is for the furure with a mighty shot from the concrete to the cattle grids. This caused great shakes throughout the crowd and in turn spurred Corrigan into life and increased the now mounting pressure on the O'Reilly brothers. And when Corrigan bowled a great shot round the well corner and half way along the straight, the O'Reillys lost all fight and the Tullysaran men roared home to win by a shot and win the Cup for the second year running.

Score 3 (Tullysaran) Martin Rooney v Paul Mackle (Tieve Tara)

With the scores now at 5-3 in favour of Tullysaran and little else to fight for but pride, the pressure was some what lifted from Martin Rooneys shoulders and indeed this was evident from his start where he lacked concentration and accuracy. To compound his bad start, his opponent, Paul Mackle, lacked nither and flew out of the blocks and into a great lead. However, after a miss from Mackle at the well corner, the door was opened again for Rooney who took full advantage and bowled 4 massive throws from just round the well corner to the Coal Sheds leaving Mackle in his wake, shell shocked and 2 shots adrift. With Rooney not relenting, Mackle conceeded the half way down the hill to leave the men from Tullysaran with another win and the overal score at Tullysaran 6 - 3 Tieve Tara.


It was a very impressive display of bowling by the visitors against a very strong Tieve Tara team over one of the finest bowling courses in Armagh, and perhaps in Ireland. Hearty congratulations were deserved by all Tullysaran throwers and also to their sproting opponents, and as usual, a great weekends bowling, friendship and craic was had by all. The Wolly Toms cup was presented to young Saran Daly, the hero of the day and by far the thrower of the competition, by Paul Donnelly, the owner of Wolly Toms Lounge and proud sponsor of the Wolly Toms cup at a very lively presentation on New Years night in Wolly Toms Lounge. Tullysaran would like to thank Wolly Toms for their very kind and generous sponsorship and hope it will continue for many years to come.

Wolly Toms Cup - Day 2

Day 2, Sunday December 31 2006

Score 1 (Tullysaran) Danny Trainor & Shane O'Neill v Paddy O'Neill & Oliver O'Neill (Tieve Tara)

Danny Trainor and the young Shane O'Neill were up against the very experienced O'Neill brothers in the first score on New Years Eve morning where Tullysaran were hoping to overturn the one score deficit from yesterday. The early exchanges of the score went to the Tullysaran pair and at Starrs they had the borthers in alot of trouble. However, the 'saran men relaxed a little too much and allowed the Tieve Tara men back into the score and it was level pegging at the Coal Sheds. With only 2 shots left, young Shane O'Neill put the visitors within sight of the line and with Paddy O'Neills bowl crossing to the lane well short of the line, Trainor held his nerve and scored the line to get the Tullysaran men off to a winning start for the day and also levelling up the competition at 2 scores each.

Score 2 (Tullysaran) Connor O'Neill & Paddy O'Neill v Mark McParland & Declan Toal (Tieve Tara)

The uncle and nephew combination of Paddy and Connor O'Neill led the line for Tullysaran back in the road in the second score of the day and raced into an early lead aided by some erratic bowling from the home pairing of McParland and Toal. The lead reached a massive 2 bowls at one stage and the O'Neills looked to be cruising, but in the atrocious weather conditions mistakes were inevitable and 2 misplayed shots at the well corner reduced the lead by a shot and further mistakes followed, but the Tullysaran men were saved by the line and held on to win by the narrowest of margins. The score now read Tullysaran 3 - 2 Tieve Tara.

Score 3 (Tullysaran) Connor McGuigan v Brian O'Reilly (Tieve Tara)

The third score of the day saw probably the most eagerly awaited socre of the weekend, with senior thrower McGuigan coming up against intermediate thrower, Brian O'Reilly. And it was the more junior thrower, O'Reilly who was fasted out of the blocks going nearly a bowl up around Gus's. McGuigan however was not to be out done and had the score levelled by the well corner. And now with the bit between his teeth, the Tullysaran man forged ahead strongly and found himself 2 shots to the good. With the weather conditions now extreamly windy, the standard of the throwing slipped somewhat but McGuigan had done enough to win the score and in turn help the Tullysaran men to a whitewash for the day and hold a 4 - 2 lead going into the third and final days bowling and needing only 1 more score to clinch cup for the second year running.

Wolly Toms Cup - Day 1

Over the three days from December 30 2006 until Janurary 1 2007, the bowling clubs of Tullysaran and Tieve Tara competed in the annual Wolly Toms Cup over the Tieve Tara Course. A total of 9 scores took place over the 3 days with some exceptional displays of bowling from both sides ensuring that competition has lived up to its reputation of being the must see christmas/new year tournament. Despite the cold, rain and the gales, good crowds braved the elements on all 3 days to watch the spectacle.

Day 1, Saturday 30 December 2006
Score 1 (Tullysaran) Malachy O'Neill & Mickey McVeigh v Paul McCann & Paul Mullan (Tieve Tara)

An out of sorts start by the Tullysaran men handed an early advantage to McCann and Mullan who grasped the opportunity with both hands and raced clear into a commanding lead. With such a big lead, the Tieve Tara men were able to relax and bowl well within themselves and, despite the the efforts of the visitors, they ran out easy winners.

Score 2 (Tullysaran) Anthony Rooney & Stephen O'Neill v Gerard McKee & Seamus O'Neill (Tieve Tara)

In the second score of the day, back in the road, Tullysaran managed to hit back from the early loss of the first score to record their first win in this years competition. An impressive display of bowling from the Rooney/O'Neill partnership ensured the Tullysaran men never looked anything other that easy winners, levelling the competition at one score a piece.

Score 3 (Tullysaran) Frank Donnelly v Mickey Mallon (Tieve Tara)

In the final score of the first day, Frank Donnelly was pitted against Mickey Mallon, and it was the Tieve Tara man who started flawlessly leaving "Big Frank" in his wake and struggling. A few missed played shots by Mallon towards the home straight ensured that Donnallys efforts were not in vain as the score drifted towards a nail bitting, last shot finish. With the Tullysaran man throwing first, he bowled well to below Doyles lane leaving Mallon with not much to beat, but Mallon let his bowl drift to the wrong side of the road and into the stones behind the mark, but much to his and his supporters relief, the bowl reappeared on the road and had enough steam left to pass the mark, winning the score and leaving the Tieve Tara men winning 2 - 1 after the frist days bowling.

Fixtures and Results

Tullysaran Road Bowls

McKenna Cup:

Wed 16^th Aug:

Chapel, 7pm: David Clarke v Brian McGrady (Marker: Maurice)

Novice Championships:

Wed 16^th Aug:

Knipe’s Lane, 7.45pm: Mark McParland, Tieve Tara v Mark Kernan, Madden

Sun 20^th August:

Chapel, 11.15am: Paddy O’Neill or Christopher Fields v Shane Gribben (Marker: Patrick)

Knipe’s Lane, 12noon: Fergal McCreesh v Barry O’Reilley

Chapel, 2.30pm: Oliver O’Neill or Paul Harte v Martin McGahey (Marker: Paddy O)

Knipe’s lane, 3.15pm: Ronan McKenna v Mark McParland or Mark Kernan

Semi-finals:

Tuesday 22^nd August

Finals:

Friday 24^th August

Scores cannot be put off due to the shortage of time. We would also like to remind throwers that the 15 mins grace rule will, without exception, be strictly applied.

Temac Cup:

Sat 19^th August:

Chapel, 2.30pm: Kerry Dillon v Danielle Grimley (Markers: Anna and Bernie)

Nesbitt’s Lane, 3pm: Maggie Gartland v Hayley Morgan

Chapel, 3.30pm: Bronagh Trainor v Sharon Mullan

Nesbitt’s Lane, 4pm: Caoimhe Campbell v Kelly Mullan

Chapel, 4.30pm: Mary Fullerton v Maureen McKinney

Hall, 5pm: Fiona McAnallen v Annette Fullen

Results:

John Grimley v Shane Gribben:

Gribben started well and built a useful lead over his first couple of shots. Grimley was fortunate to rub before the bridge to keep the score level. There wasn’t much separating the pair round the cap, but a brilliant shot from Gribben out of the cap all the way to Allen’s raised nearly a bowl of odds, which he held to the top of the hill. Gribben gained a useful lead round Mary Ann’s, but let his next over the road. He redeemed himself with a powerful last shot almost scoring the line and won by a shot.

Fergal McCreesh v Seamus Conlon:

Both throwers were past the Point Road in two shots. McCreesh’s next fell short of the corner while Conlon’s was closer to Mary Ann’s. Conlon got good odds across the straight, but a good shot from McCreesh up the hill, gave him the lead. Conlon missed his chances past Allen’s, and was a shot out at the cap. McCreesh threw two pile-drivers to finish, opening the top corner from Toby’s Lane. There was no way back for Conlon, and he finished two shots out.

Darren Donnelly v Martin McGahey:

Donnelly was fortunate to rub round the corner, leaving McGahey nearly a bowl out. McGahey responded with a big shot past O’Neill’s to almost the bridge to level the score. Donnelly still held a slender lead all the way to Mullantur. From here, McGahey threw to nearly Harney’s, and when Donnelly missed Mary Ann’s from above Kilpatrick’s, McGahey had almost a shot to spare. Donnelly threw a good shot from Mary Ann’s to the Point Road, and McGahey was fortunate to get near the mark. Donnelly scored the line well with his next, and his bullet nearly trickled all the way down the hill. McGahey replied well to nearly the mark to record a last shot win.

Daniel Trainor v Shane O’Neill snr:

Neither of the throwers started well, with both of them taking five shots to get around Mary Ann’s corner. From here, Trainor improved a little putting his next to past Kilpatrick’s and then on to near the top of the hill. O’Neill was never far away, and the lead changed hands many times over the score. A good shot by Trainor into the cap, followed by another to near the bridge, raised a shot and odds. Again Trainor failed to capitalise, and with O’Neill producing two good shots to the top corner, the lead was suddenly down to odds. A good last shot, however, sealed the victory for Trainor when O’Neill failed to score with his last.

Fixtures and Results

Fri 21^st July:

McKenna Cup:

Chapel, 7pm: John Lennon v Danny Trainor (Marker: Maurice)

Knipe’s Lane, 7.45pm: Seamus Conlon v Connor McGuigan (+1)

Sat 22^nd July:

Anne Marie Smyth Cup:

Grade 1 Final:

Chapel, 2.30pm: Maggie Gartland v Hayley Morgan or Elaine McGrady (Markers: Teresa M and Bronagh)

Temac Cup:

Nesbitt’s Lane, 3pm: Kerry Dillon v Caoimhe Campbell

Chapel, 3.30pm: Fiona McAnallen v Leanne Mackle

Hall, 4pm: Mary Fullerton v Maureen McKinney

Chapel, 4.30pm: Bernie McGrady v Teresa O’Neill

Hall, 5pm: Donna Patterson v Annette Fullen

Sun 23^rd July:

Mary Ann’s Cup: Grade Finals:

Chapel, 11.15am: Daniel Trainor v Barry McKenna (Marker: Martin Rooney)

Nesbitt’s Lane, 12noon: Malachy Quigley snr v Shane Donnelly

McKenna Cup:

Chapel, 2.30pm: Paul Mackle v Frank Donnelly (Marker: Mickey McVeigh)

Knipe’s Lane, 3.15pm: Maurice Rooney v Fr. Brian White

Mon 24^th July:

McKenna Cup:

Chapel, 7pm: Philip Corrigan v Paddy O’Neill (Marker: Danny)

Knipe’s Lane, 7.45pm: Sean McSorley v Aidan Conlon

Tues 25^th July:

Temac Cup:

Chapel, 7pm: Michelle Rooney v Dervla Toal (+2) (Markers: Imelda and Kate)

Hall, 7.30pm: Emma O’Neill v Collette Murtagh

Results:

Ronan McKenna v Martin Rooney: Rooney and McKenna both started well going across the Point Road in two each. McKenna pulled his third across the road leaving Rooney with a useful lead round Mary Ann’s. McKenna recovered with a well-played bowl to Kilpatrick’s. A big shot up the hill from Rooney coupled with McKenna not getting his bowl out from the left, gave Rooney a two-bowl lead at Mullantur. Rooney continued steady bowling to the cap leaving McKenna no chance of recovery. McKenna failed to take his chances round the corner and up the home straight, however a big shot into the last corner gave him a glimmer of hope. Rooney stood up to the challenge, getting near the line from no corner and when McKenna spun his bowl across to Knipe’s Lane, Rooney had nothing to do to beat the mark.

Cormac Conlon v Barry McKenna: A big shot from Conlon down past O’Neill’s opened an early lead of almost a bowl. An out-of-sorts McKenna failed to make any in-roads and before Mullantur, Conlon had increased the lead to nearly two. Young McKenna was slowly finding his form, and a big shot from above Kilpatrick’s opening Mary Ann’s, cut the lead to under a bowl. When Conlon’s next shot took a bad hop off a manhole cover, suddenly his lead was rather slim. A good shot from McKenna to the Point Road left the score level. McKenna put the pressure on, scoring with his last, and when Conlon fell short, hitting the dead kerb, young McKenna had timed his recovery to perfection, leading for the first time at the line.

Daniel Trainor v Colm McGahan: McGahan started the better of the two, and Trainor had to throw a big third shot to level the score at four each by Mary Ann’s. McGahan pulled away again at Kilpatrick’s and Trainor needed the breaks past Mullantur to level it again at Allen’s. A good shot by Trainor from Allen’s to the cap gave him the lead for the first time, and his next, played perfectly to the bridge, put him almost a shot in front. A couple of mistakes from McGahan at O’Neill’s put paid to his chances of recovery, and Trainor ran out a comfortable two bowl winner at the top corner.

With the non-showing of Peter Daly and Eddie Mallon, Paddy O’Neill took on Aidan Conlon in a challenge. In a score when O’Neill failed to hit the heights, Conlon belied his second grade status to run out a comfortable winner.

There was also some action earlier in the holiday week. Connor O’Neill had a narrow victory over Patrick Garvey, winning on the last shot. John Lennon bowled well on Friday evening to bear Cormac Garvey. Stephen O’Neill beat Paul Corrigan by a shot.

We would like to extend our sympathy to Marty McKinney and his family on the death of his uncle, Jim Donnelly. May he rest in peace.

Fixtures and Results

Thurs 13^th July:

Anne Marie Smyth Cup:

Semi-finals:

Chapel, 7pm: Hayley Morgan v Elaine McGrady (Markers: Teresa and Emma O’Neill)

Nesbitt’s Lane, 7.30pm: Maggie Gartland v Claire Mackle

Finals on Tues 18^th July:

Chapel, 7pm: Grade 1a Final

Nesbitt’s Lane, 7.30pm: Grade1b Final

Fri 14^th July:

McKenna Cup:

Chapel, 7pm: Stephen O’Neill v Paul Corrigan (Marker: Patrick)

Nesbitt’s Lane, 7.45pm: John Lennon v Cormac Garvey (+1 shot)

Sat 15^th July:

Temac Cup:

Chapel, 2.30pm: Kerry Dillon v Caoimhe Campbell (Markers: Caroline and Kate)

Hall, 3pm: Kate McVeigh v Pauline Lennon

Chapel, 3.30pm: Donna Patterson v Annette Fullen

Hall, 4pm: Mary Fullerton v Maureen McKinney

Sun 16^th July:

Mary Ann’s Cup: Semi-finals:

Chapel, 11.15am: Daniel Trainor v Colm McGahan (Marker: Paddy O.)

Knipe’s Lane, 12noon: Barry McKenna v Cormac Conlon

McKenna Cup

Chapel, 2.30pm: Paul Mackle v Frank Donnelly (Marker: Mickey McVeigh)

Knipe’s Lane, 3.15pm: Eddie Mallon v Peter Daly

Mon 17^th July:

Challenges:

Chapel, 7pm: Marty and Sé Mullan v Maurice Rooney and Michael O’Neill (Marker: Danny)

Knipe’s Lane, 7.45pm: Danny Trainor and Patrick Garvey v Connor and Paddy O’Neill

Results:

Mickey Quigley v Danny Trainor: Trainor got off to a bad start while Quigley had three good shots to near Mary Ann’s. He was a shot up at the corner and increased his lead to almost two going up the hill. Trainor hit two big shots, both of which got good running, from before Mullantur to twenty yards into the cap. This, aided by a short shot from Quigley below Allen’s, saw a major change with Trainor now taking the lead. Trainor, however, didn’t push home this advantage round the corner to Toby’s, and Quigley then regained a lead of ten yards. Good throwing from Trainor up the straight should have left it a formality when he opened the top corner in three, with Quigley falling short of the corner in three. Quigley, throwing first, fell yards short of the line, but, unbelievably, Trainor slipped up and ended up short of Quigley’s mark. He made up for it, however, when his last, with the help of a fortunate rub, sailed over the top of the hill and he was relieved to see Quigley fall fifty yards short of the mark.

Fixtures and Results

McKenna Cup:

Fri 7^th July:

Chapel, 7pm: Mickey Quigley v Danny Trainor (Marker: Maurice)

Knipe’s Lane, 7.45pm: John Lennon v Cormac Garvey (+1 shot)

Tues 11^th July:

Chapel, 7pm: Connor O’Neill v Patrick Garvey (Marker: Mickey McVeigh)

Knipe’s Lane, 7.45pm: Shane O’Neill jnr v Jason Lennon

Anne Marie Smyth Cup:

Sat 8^th July:

Chapel, 2.30pm: Roisin Mackle v Claire Mackle (Markers: Anna and Bronagh)

Allen’s Lane, 3pm: Hayley Morgan v Sheilagh Rooney

Temac Cup:

Sat 8^th July:

Chapel, 3.30pm: Kate McVeigh v Pauline Lennon

Allen’s Lane, 4pm: Kerry Dillon v Imelda Fay

Chapel, 4.30pm: Donna Patterson v Annette Fullen

Hall, 5pm: Helen McKeown v Maureen McKinney

Mon 10^th July:

Chapel, 7pm: Emma O’Neill v Danielle Grimley (Markers: Caroline and Teresa M)

Allen’s Lane, 7.30pm: Anne Marie Smyth Cup: Alisha Rooney v Kelly Mullan

We would all like to congratulate Philip Corrigan on winning the Portmor Cup, well done, Philip. Good Luck to all the Armagh throwers in Cork this weekend.

Results:

Anthony Rooney v Daniel Trainor:

With Kevin Daly not appearing, a speedy decision was made on the road to promote his opponent, Anthony Rooney, and throw his next round score against Daniel Trainor. Rooney’s short second shot left young Trainor with a valuable lead of almost a bowl at McKinney’s, but Rooney threw a big shot to the point of Mary Ann’s to nearly level the score. Trainor, however, was not to be denied, and used his superior speed up the hill to be nearly a bowl up after Mullantur. Rooney tried to regain the lost ground, but Trainor was still nearly a bowl up at the start of the cap. Trainor’s next, unbelievably, put the score over as a contest, when, from past Nesbitt’s lane he pulled his bowl to perfection and it sailed round the corners to almost Toby’s lane. With Rooney going nearly three shots out at this point, he decided to shake hands.

Back down the road in a hastily arranged three corner, Ronan McKenna and Paddy O’Neill got the better of Anthony Rooney and Martin Rooney and Danny Trainor and Kevin Daly.

Patrick Garvey and Michael O’Neill v Cormac Garvey and Ethan Rafferty:

The afternoon challenge was a somewhat depleted affair with the main senior protagonists not appearing. Patrick and Cormac Garvey stepped into the breach and a very tight and interesting score ensued. Some very big shots were thrown by all throwers and nothing could separate the two sides all the way to Mary Ann’s corner. Here Michael O’Neill produced a miler to almost the Point Road to help his team on the road to victory, recording a last shot win.

North American Region Championships

North American Region Championships, Saturday and Sunday August 12 & 13, 2006, Turkey Run Road, two miles north of Buckhannon, West Virginia.

The best players from the Boston, New York, and West Virginia (the three organized leagues in North America where this old sport is played) will meet for two days of one on one and doubles competition. Winners will advance this autumn across the ocean to the "2006 All Irelands," the 52nd annual World Series of Irish Road Bowling.

On August 12 and 13, the best players in North America will meet in intense competition to see who is "top gun," the fastest and most accurate bowler who will carry the North American banner to Ireland this fall. Semi finals will be held all day Saturday, Championship finals in the three grades Sunday afternoon. There will also be an open ladies competition.

New and growing in popularity in the USA, Irish Road Bowling, "The Old Game" has been played for over 300 years on country roads primarily in County Armagh and County Cork, Ireland. Older than baseball, football or golf, a 28 ounce iron and steel "bowl" about the size of a tennis ball is thrown underhand over a one or two mile country road, fewest shots to the finish wins. Good shots can travel 200 yards or more. The record in West Virginia is 422 yards on Wildcat Road, Ireland, WV.

At first an event added in 1995 to the Irish Spring Festival in Ireland, West Virginia, the Old Game is now played at 14 tournaments in ten towns in north central West Virginia. Irish troops played road bowling between battles in West Virginia during the American Civil War. Its an exciting sport anyone can easily learn but only a few play really well, perfect for the scenic country roads of West Virginia. This is the first time the North American Region Championships have been held in West Virginia, in other states all over the USA informal groups are beginning to play Irish bowling "scores." Everyone is invited to come out and learn from the best players this side of Ireland.

Some of the top bowlers in the USA –

West Virginia - Travis Craig, Jerod Putnam, Ireland, WV, Shannon Gear, Elkins, Ken McClintic, Holly River, Justin Shaffer, Horse Shoe Run;

Boston - Roger O' Riordan, Con O' Callaghan, Brendan and Mike Fleming, Barry Curran, Florrie O Mahoney, John Twomey, Mossie Dore, Mike O Donovan, Jehr Kerry; New York - Adrian Lappin, Eoin O 'Riordan, Mick Moloney, Magella McCabe, Paul Lavery, Kevin O'Keefe, Noel Cronin.

See www.wvirishroadbowling.com, www.newyorkroadbowling.com for more information.

Fixtures/Results

Mary Ann’s Cup:

Sun 2^nd July:

Chapel, 11.15am: Anthony Rooney v Kevin Daly (Marker: Danny)

Allen’s Lane, 12 noon: Eugene Donnelly v Aidan Early

Knappagh, 2.30pm: Challenge: Connor McGuigan and Michael O’Neill v Mickey Toal and Ethan Rafferty (Marker: Mickey McVeigh)

Chapel, 3.30pm: Malachy Quigley v Shane Donnelly

Anne Marie Smyth Cup:

Thurs 29^th June:

Chapel, 7pm: Emma O’Neill v Leanne Mackle (Markers: Anna and Bronagh)

Allen’s Lane, 7.30pm: Roisin Mackle v Claire Mackle

Mon 3^rd July:

Chapel, 7pm: Alisha Rooney v Kelly Mullan (Markers: Teresa O and Teresa M)

Allen’s Lane, 7.30pm: Elaine McGrady v Tracey Mallon

There will be a Blitz Day for all clubs youth on Sat 1^st July. All interested Under 6, 8, 10 and 12, Boys and Girls, are to be at the Chapel gates at 11am sharp. The presentation in the Parochial Centre will be immediately after the blitz.

Our Club would like to congratulate Mickey Toal and his sister Dervla on reaching their All Ireland Finals, keep up the good work!

Orlaith Trainor, Claire Mackle and Ethan Rafferty didn’t get away with it in their respective finals, better luck next time!

Results:

Maurice Rooney v Shane O’Neill jnr: Rooney started the better of the two and forged ahead to a bowl and odds of a lead at Mary Ann’s. Young O’Neill had been throwing erratically to this stage, but then settled and began to throw more consistently in the middle of the score. O’Neill had reduced the lead going into the cap and Rooney didn’t really take his chances to put the score out of O’Neill’s reach at this point. From the bridge, O’Neill produced nothing but milers and when Rooney faltered up the straight, O’Neill took the lead before the top corner. With just the last shots to throw, Rooney, throwing first, scored the line, but O’Neill held his nerve and produced another miler to well over the line for the comeback win of the competition.

Connor O’Neill v Ronan McKenna: McKenna started the steadier of the two with O’Neill getting a few nice rubs to keep him level at Toby’s. McKenna proceeded to stretch his lead past Allen’s but he couldn’t quite shake off the tenacious O’Neill. They continued in this vein until Mary Ann’s with still only yards in the butts. Out of Mary Ann’s, O’Neill played a great shot to across the Point Road, and McKenna looked to be in trouble when he didn’t reach the bus shelter. From here McKenna’s last was played very close to the dead kerb, but turned all the way and scored the line by twenty yards. O’Neill pulled his last, and when it hopped at the priests house and caught the hedge, the score was McKenna’s.

Danny Trainor v Paddy O’Neill: O’Neill started in great form with two milers to Killara Grange entrance. Trainor on the other hand was erratic early on and it took a big shot from McKinney’s piers to Mary Ann’s to keep him just a bowl out. O’Neill was in top form going past Mullantur in six, and holding on to a bowl of a lead. A comeback looked possible to Trainor at the cap, when he went from the start of the cap to the bridge in one. But O’Neill had other ideas and kept the pressure on, throwing a great shot from Mullantur Gates to past Toby’s lane, bringing the lead back to almost a bowl. Another couple of errors up the home straight put paid to Trainor’s chances, and O’Neill ran out a worthy winner by almost two bowls.

Good Luck to these three winners, Ronan McKenna, Shane O’Neill jnr and Paddy O’Neill in the play-offs.

Barry McKenna v Cathal McGrady: (Mary Ann’s Cup): Young McKenna started erratically, and when McGrady produced a big shot to well round the first corner, he found himself a shot and odds in arrears. McKenna’s improvement began when he played his first good shot past the bridge, which broke the shot, and by the end of the cap he reduced the deficit even further. Another big shot from the cap to almost Allen’s put McKenna in the lead. Although McGrady fought back with a big shot round Mary Ann’s corner, McKenna had just too much speed up the home straight, and sealed a comfortable victory.

Fixtures - Week commencing June 3, 2006

Novice Championships:

Sun 4^th June:

Chapel, 11.30am: Paddy O’Neill v Shane O’Neill snr (Marker: Martin Rooney)

Knipe’s Lane, 12.15pm: Connor O’Neill v Frank Donnelly

Mary Ann’s Cup:

Sun 4^th June:

Chapel, 2.30pm: Anthony Rooney v Kevin Daly (Marker: Paddy O)

Knipe’s Lane, 3.15pm: John McKenna v Colm McGahan

Anne Marie Smyth Cup:

Sat 3^rd June:

Chapel, 2.30pm:Sheila Rooney v Bronagh Trainor (Markers: Teresa O and Kate)

Allen’s Lane, 3pm: Elaine McGrady v Tracey Mallon

Chapel, 3.30pm: Imelda Fay v Karen Grimley

Allen’s Lane, 4pm: Hayley Morgan v Ann McLeod

Mon 5^th June:

Chapel, 6.30pm: Leanne Mackle v Emma O’Neill (Markers: Teresa Mallon and Bernie)

Allen’s Lane, 7pm: Roisin Mackle v Claire Mackle

Tue 6^th June:

Chapel, 6.30pm: Alisha Rooney v Kelly Mullan (Markers: Caroline and Imelda)

Allen’s Lane, 7pm: Mary Fullerton v Helen McKeown

Tullysaran Football Club and the Road Bowls Club are holding a joint presentation night in Mary Ann’s Bar on Friday 10^th June in aid of the Cormac McAnallen Trust. Tickets for this are £5 and are available from committee members. A defibrillator will be presented to the Tullysaran Clubs, and a light supper will be served on the night. In a fund raising and fun event, some ladies footballers will kick a ball, camogie players will hit a ball, and bullet throwers will throw a bullet along the usual course from the Chapel to O’Neill’s. Sponsorship forms for this are available from committee members. A link to The Cormac McAnallen Trust website is now on the right hand site of the blog, or may be accessed by clicking here.

Resutls

Maurice Rooney v Martin Rooney:

It took a big fourth shot from Maurice to keep the score level early on. From this point on, Maurice’s steadier bowling was paying dividends, and he had built a useful advantage by Mullantur. He had increased this advantage to almost a bowl by Allen’s, and held the same through the cap. Martin’s last chance to make up the deficit went at the bridge when he pulled his bullet into Toby’s Lane. Two more good shots up the straight from Martin wasn’t enough as Maurice maintained the lead for a comfortable last shot win.

As there was no score back down the road, a three-cornered pairs challenge was arranged: Patrick Garvey and John McKenna v Connor O’Neill and Anthony Rooney v Danny Trainor and Ronan McKenna. Garvey and McKenna made the most of a good start, leaving their opponents toiling in their wake, going two shots clear at the bridge. It was going to take something special from their opponents to peg back this lead. Alas, it wasn’t forthcoming, with Garvey and McKenna holding on for an easy victory over O’Neill and Rooney with Trainor and McKenna bringing up the rear.