Results - Cullen Cup Final

On a wet Saturday afternoon, Martin Rooney got the better of Stephen O'Neill in the Cullen Cup Final. It did not start too well for Rooney however, as after 2 throws he was only just past the Chapel gates. O'Neill failed to take advantage of this and only held a shot advantage at Mary Ann’s. With the score still level through Mullintur, Rooney played a great shot through the farm and another to the cap to leave just yards in it. O'Neill held the advantage through the bends, and up along the straight he still had 30 yards of a lead, but missing the corner in 3 from Toby’s lane proved costly, as Rooney won with a well played last shot to almost the church.

Back down the road, Maurice Rooney and Paddy O'Neill threw Anthony Rooney and Patrick Garvey in what appeared to be a very uneven score. The two first graders forged a head and were almost a full shot to the good out of the first corner. Garvey and Rooney tried their hardest to get back on level terms but were only able to level the score at Mary Ann’s. Here Garvey misplayed, giving the first graders a great chance, but Paddy O' lay behind the mark. With the two Rooney brothers going head to head, Maurice showed why Anthony is still in third grade by winning the shot by a good 40 yards, leaving the two Paddy’s to throw for the score. Garvey threw first and got half way down the hill, leaving O'Neill a tricky shot to win. His shot hit the bank and came out on to the middle of the road, but with the wet verges the bowl stopped a yard short to give the underdogs victory.

Fixtures (April 2 - 5th)

Mary Ann’s Cup:

Sunday 2^nd April:

Chapel, 11.15am: Daniel Trainor v Malachy O’Neill (T’s) (Marker: Mickey McVeigh)

Knipe’s Lane, 12 noon: Matthew Trainor v Stephen McGurk

Chapel, 2.30pm: Willy Donnelly v Barry McKenna (Marker: Paddy O’Neill)

Knipe’s Lane, 3.15pm: Paul Donnelly v Cathal McGrady

Anne Marie Smyth Cup:

Monday 3^rd April:

Chapel, 6.30pm: Maggie Gartland v Aisling Cush (Markers: Teresa O’Neill, Teresa Mallon)

Allen’s Lane, 7pm: Danielle Grimley v Caroline Tierney

Wed 5^th April:

Chapel, 6.30pm: Donna Patterson v Teresa O’Neill (Markers: Kate McVeigh, Imelda Fay)

Hall, 7pm: Emma Jane O’Neill v Anna Rooney

The Entry Fee for this competition is £3.00 and should be paid to Anna or Bernie before you throw. This Friday will see us all heading to the Charlemont Arms for our Annual Dinner. We would like to remind everyone that we are to be seated for 8pm sharp. We would also like to congratulate Saran Daly and Orlaith Trainor on their performances in winning their respective pre-championship competitions. We hope they can continue in this vein in the championships shortly. We would also like to offer our condolences to Jarlaith Devlin and his family on the recent death of his father. May he rest in peace.

Ulster Championship Draws - Boys

Under 18: Port Mor Road

Brian O'Rourke v John McKeown

Winner of above v Ryan McGale

Sean Donnelly v Brendan Rafferty

Winner of above v Sean O'Reilly

Matthew Trainor v Thomas Mackle

Winner of above v Declan Mallon

Eugene Kiernan v Stephen Gribben

Jason Lennon v Niall Mullin

Conor McKeever v Dermot Oliver

Kevin McQuade v Stephen McCann

Sean Shortt v Enda Mallon

Under 16: Keady/Tassagh Road

Cormac Gribben v Thomas Mackle

Winner of above v Declan Mallon

Ryan Morgan v Owen Grimley

Niall Mullen v Barry McKenna

Sean Shortt v Gavin McParland

Stephen O'Reilly v Brendan Rafferty

Ruairi O'Reilly v Conor Toal

Michael Hannon v Sean Donnelly

Brian O'Rourke v Patrick Conlon

Under 14: Keady/Tassagh Road

Pete Carr v Ciaran Mallon

Patrick Kiernan v Ruairi O'Reilly

Ronan McClelland v James Devlin

Saran Daly v Shay Mullen

Under 12: Keady/Tassagh Road

Michael O'Neill v Rochan Rafferty

Conor Morgan v Ethan Rafferty

Pete Carr v Ronan McClelland

Shay Mullin gets a Bye

Ulster Championship Draws - Womens

Senior: Tullysaran Road

Dervla Toal v Susan Cullen

Kelly Mallon v Catriona White

Intermediate: Tullysaran Road

Bronwyn McSorley v Brenda Hughes

Winner of above v Roisin Mackle

Shaunna Mone v Clare Mackle

Winner of above v Laura Gribben

Bronagh Trainor v Sharon O'Neill

Winner of above v Jane O'Neill

Haley Morgan v Sheila Rooney

Winner of above v Karen Grimley

Danielle Grimely v Maggie Gartland

Winner of above v Denise Daly

Christine Cullen v Aisling Cush

Winner of above v Elaine McGrady

Bernice Fegan v Michelle Rooney

Michelle Rafferty v Geraldine Rafferty

Under 18: Eglish Road

Michelle Rooney v Kelly Mallon

Leanne Mackle v Jane O'Neill

Karen Harte v Danielle Grimley

Louise Grimley v Clare Mackle

Under 16: Eglish Road

Aisling Conlon v Orlaith Trainor

Winner of above v Louise Grimley

Jane O'Neill v Catriona Connelly

Winner of above v Aisling Rooney

Ulster Championship Draws - Mens

The Draws were made recently for the Ulster Championship. Over the next couple of posts i'll put the full draws online. From next Friday, i hope to keep the results and fixtures for the championship up to date. But for now, the draws.

Men's Draws

Senior: Tieve Tara Road
Eddie Carr (Holder) v Conor McGuigan
Paul Rafferty v Michael Toal

Intermediate: Tieve Tara Road
Harry Toal (Holder) v Malachy Lappin v Brian O'Reilly
(Best of three scores)

Junior A: Teive Tara Road
Paul O'Reilly v Michael Rafferty
Johnny Kelly v Paul Grimley

Junior B: Madden Road
Ciaran Morgan v Eamon O'Neill
Winner of above v Pat Mallon
Oliver Gribben v Philip Corrigan
Winner of above v Paddy O'Neill (a)
Sean O'Reilly v Brian Kinchin
Winner of above v Hugh McCoy
Pat Hughes v Jason Lennon
Winner of above v Cathal Toal
Joe Shortt v Donal Daly
Winner of above v Seamus McKee
Stephen McCann v Fr Brian White
Winner of above v Kevin McQuade
Cormac Garvey v Patrick Garvey
Winner of above v Adrian O'Reilly
James Oliver v Eugene Kiernan
Winner of above v Shane Feighan

Veterans: Rock Road
Gerard Mckee v Jim McLaughlin
Winner of above v Raymond Finnegan
Patrick Comiskey v Leo McKeever
Winner of above v Henry Little
Noel Carr v Tom McKeever
Winner of above v Peter Daly
Chris Harte v Jim Cullen
Winner of above v Larry Corr
Sammy Gillespie v Pat Mallon
Winner of above v Kevin Daly
Jimmy Greene v Jerry Rafferty
Peter McCreesh v Austin Quinn
Sean Gordon v Shane O'Neill

Bowling in West Virginia, USA

The first major bowling weekend of the year in Ireland, West Virginia took place last weekend (March 18-19) and was a hugh success. A massive 200+ crowd for the Saturady and over 70 on the Sunday made this their most successful weekend in their history.

The opening bowl of the weekend was thrown by Secretary of State of West Virginia, Betty Ireland, who is very interested in the heritage of the sport and the cultural aspects behind in and would like to use West Virginia's Division of Tourism to promote the sport and to help it grow.

Below is a short report of the weekends bowling.

On Sunday we had one of the best doubles matches ever in West Virginia. Con O Callaghan of Boston, current North American Region Champion Junior C (highest grade in North America) was visiting us. The Sunday two on two match, Jerod Putnam & Travis Craig versus Con O Callaghan & Shawn Stewart. Jerod, Travis and Shawn are three original founders of road bowling in West Virginia in 1995, and along with Brian Craig broke their own course record on Saturday ( 4 person teams) 30 shots, 2.2 mile road. These guys have been winning since 1995, but even though the competition getting is much better they keep winning. Con and Shawn went ahead early, then Travis and Jerod came up fast to catch up. Shawn hit a monster long shot on a downhill and thought he had won it, but still a half mile to go and once again Jerod and Travis pulled even, and for a long time as they say in Ireland, "there was nothing in it." Jerod threw a long shot that was still going too fast to take a curve onto a little bridge, and flew into a pond. Con O Callaghan throwing from slightly closer, stayed in the curve and got across the bridge. Shawn then threw a long shot across the line for the win. A wonderful match, crisp cool air, in sunshine on a beautiful country road. It was our most successful weekend yet, although that big 200 + bowler crowd Saturday was hard to manage. On Saturday we had all the regulars plus many first timers. Sunday was more the serious regular bowlers. The Sunday match was some of the best Irish road bowling West Virginia has ever seen and was decided on the very last shot across the finish line. They went over 1.7 miles in 21 shots, well under the record pace for the longer 2.2 mile full course. Many extremely long shots from all four players.

For more information on Bowling in West Virginia please visit their website by clicking here or on the link at the side!!!

Top Twelve - Day Three, Tullysaran

Frank Donnelly v Aidan Conlon v Donal Daly:

Eglish’s Donal Daly was a shade strong for his opponents. Bowling well within himself, Daly forged ahead of Frank Donnelly. Aidan Conlon started poorly and never threatened. Daly ran out an easy winner with Frank Donnelly in second.

Patrick Garvey v Seamus Conlon v Eamonn O’Neill:

Conlon started somewhat erratically and brought up the rear from Patrick Garvey and Eamonn O’Neill in second. O’Neill pressed Garvey from Allen’s farm, but was unlucky at Mary Ann’s Corner when his bowl hit “the post” and stopped dead when normally he would have had a full corner. O’Neill still pressured Garvey up the final straight, but Garvey just managed to hold on to win by a yard.

Stephen O’Neill v Joseph Donnelly v Mark Gallagher:

Punters made O’Neill the strong favourite for this score at the start. Stephen O’Neill, bowling unpredictably, was soon in trouble from the steadier Mark Gallagher. O’Neill never really recovered enough to be a threat. Gallagher finished a bit shakily, but held on for a last shot win over Joseph Donnelly, and Stephen O’Neill finished in third.

Danny Trainor v John Lennon v Joe Donnelly:

John Lennon’s steady bowling had his opponents struggling from the start and looked in control all the way. A bad mistake hitting the dead kerb after Mary Ann’s left it anyone’s score. In fact, the leader changed three times between Mary Ann’s corner and the finish. In the end, Donnelly proved to be the stronger, winning on the last shot by mere yards in front of John Lennon and Danny Trainor in third.

This brought an end to an enthralling three weeks of bowling. Tullysaran finally got their hands on the Cup. The trend of home sides doing poorly continued with Tullysaran only winning one score. Eglish can consider themselves as unlucky losers finishing very strongly to take three of the four scores of the weekend. In the end, road bowls was the winner with good sporting competition between all three clubs.

Fixtures (March 25 & 26)

Saturday 25^th March

Under 16 Pre-Championship Final:

Chapel, 11am: Orlaith Trainor v Jane O’Neill (Patsy and Maurice)

Dillon Plastering Youth Competition:

Allen’s Lane, 11.20am: Aisling Rooney v Maria Rooney

Chapel, 11.40am: Michael O’Neill v Stephen Mallon

Hall, 12noon: Saran Daly v Gavin Rooney

Hillview Shield Over-all Final:

Chapel, 2pm: Tracey Mallon v Ann McLeod (+1) v Alisha Rooney (+2) v Annette Fullen (+3)

(Markers: Anna, Bronagh, Bernie and Caroline)

Anne Marie Smyth Cup:

Allen’s Lane, 3.15: Maggie Gartland v Aisling Cush

The Entry Fee for this competition is £3.00 and should be paid to Anna or Bernie before you throw.

Cullen Cup Over-all Final:

Chapel’ 4pm: Martin Rooney v Stephen O’Neill (+1) (Marker: Patrick)

Mary Ann’s Cup:

Allen’s Lane, 4.45pm: Gerard Conlon v Pat Hagan

We would like to send our best wishes to young Ethan Rafferty who has just spent a while in hospital, hope you have a speedy recovery. We would also like to extend our sympathy to Philip White and the White family on the recent death of Philip’s mother. May she rest in peace. There will be a committee meeting on Tuesday next, 28^th, at 8pm in Mary Ann’s lounge. All Dinner Dance money must be brought to this meeting.

Fixtures (18 &19 March 2006)

Inter-club Competition

Tullysaran, Sun 19^th March

Chapel, 11.15am: Frank Donnelly v Aidan Conlon v Mark Gallagher (Markers: Connor O’Neill, Danny Trainor)

Knipe’s Lane, 12.15pm: Patrick Garvey v Seamus Conlon v Eamonn O’Neill (Markers: Frank Donnelly, Paddy O’Neill)

Chapel, 2.30pm: Stephen O’Neill v Gerard Donnelly v Mark Gallagher (Markers: Patrick Garvey, Mickey McVeigh)

Knipe’s Lane, 3.30pm: Danny Trainor v John Lennon v Joe Donnelly (Markers: Maurice Rooney, Stephen O’Neill)

Be aware, our capped bullet rule applies around Allen’s Corner!

The presentation will follow in Mary Ann’s at 5.30pm, music and a light supper will be provided.

Under 16 Pre-Championship semi finals

Sat 18^th March

Chapel, 11am: Orlaith Trainor v Aisling Rooney (Patsy and Patrick)

Allen’s Lane, 11.30am: Louise Grimley v Jane O’Neill

Dillon Plastering Youth Competition

Sat 18^th March

Chapel, 11.45am: Matthew Trainor v Ciaran Mullan

Allen’s Lane, 12noon: Sean O’Reilly v Connor McVeigh

Chapel, 12.15pm: Siobhan Mackle v Maria Lennon (+1)

Hall, 12.30pm: Maeve Kelly v Rachel McAnallen

Top Twelve - Day 2, Eglish

Results from last weekends Inter Club Competition:

Score 1
Maurice Rooney v Jim McLaughlin v Paul McVeigh:
Our first representative on the tricky Eglish course was Maurice Rooney who did not shine early on, with Jim McLaughlin making the early running. McLaughlin was to rue missed chances, however, as both Rooney and McVeigh gained in confidence as the score progressed. Rooney finished very strongly, taking a well-earned victory over McVeigh on the last shot.

Score 2
Shane O’Neill snr v Martin Donnelly v Peter Daly:
From a Tullysaran point of view, this was to be the exact opposite of the first score. O’Neill started strongly and forged ahead of Donnelly, with Daly a further shot behind. Mistakes cost O’Neill dearly, however, as he faded over the second half, leaving Daly and Donnelly to fight out the finish. Porto's Donnelly held on for a last shot win.

Score 3
Paddy O’Neill v Frank Oliver v Gerard McVeigh:
A poor second shot from Paddy O’Neill put him in trouble early on, with Oliver and McVeigh, throwing the harder bullets, making the early running. O’Neill’s comeback attempt faltered at the last corner when lady luck deserted him, his second last shot bouncing off the wall, straight across the road. This left Oliver and McVeigh to sort out the spoils between them. Oliver kept his best to the last when his well-played bullet scored the line from the last corner, earning him a last shot victory over McVeigh.

Score 4
Connor O’Neill v Connor Powell v Patsy Daly:
Eglish struggled in this score, with the non-appearance of Sean Mallon; stand in, Patsy Daly, couldn’t quite match his opponents for speed. O’Neill got the better of the early exchanges and forged ahead with some fast and accurate bowling. Some incredible shots towards the finish left O’Neill in an unassailable position, two shots clear of Powell, with a gallant Daly in third.

This was another fine showing from the Tullysaran lads, taking two more points on a tricky Eglish course, leaving everything finely balanced with the score: Tullysaran 4, Portmor 3, and Eglish 1. We hope the current trend of home side defeats does not continue next week in Tullysaran!

Cullen Cup Finals

Cullen Cup Grade Finals:

Grade 2:
Aidan Conlon v Stephen O’Neill:
Stephen stamped his authority on the score early on with a big second shot to past McKinney’s. He continued to forge ahead raising a shot at Mullintur and two by the cap. A lack lustre Aidan failed to respond and Stephen kept up his work rate to win by two shots above O’Neill’s.


Grade 1:
Fr. Brian White v Martin Rooney:
A big third shot form Martin set the tone for this score, beating the bridge from well above O’Neill’s, leaving him almost a bowl clear. Fr. Brian recovered enough to give himself a chance by Kilpatrick’s, but another big shot from Martin, opening Mary Ann’s corner, put an end to Fr. Brian’s hopes. Martin ran out a comfortable winner by a shot.

Fixtures (11 & 12 March 2006)

Top Twelve - Eglish Road
Sun 12th March

11am: Shane O’Neill snr v Martin Donnelly v Peter Daly

12noon: Martin Mullan v Jim McLoughlan v Paul McVeigh

2pm: Connor O’Neill v Gareth Corr v Sean Mallon

3pm: Paddy O’Neill v Aidan Conlon v Gerard McVeigh



Hillview Shield Finals
Sat 11th March

Chapel, 1pm: Grade 2: Alisha Rooney v Danielle Grimley (Markers: Kate and Imelda)

Allen’s Lane, 1.30pm: Grade 1b: Kerry Dillon v Anne McLeod

Chapel, 2pm: Grade 3: Michelle Crowe v Annette Fullen

Allen’s Lane, 2.30pm: Grade 1a: Claire Mackle v Tracey Mallon

Top Twelve - Day 1, Port Mor

Inter Club Competition:
Score 1
Philip Mallon v Ryan Fay v Martin McGleenan:
A rejuvenated Philip Mallon produced a near flawless display of bowling in the first score. He got the better of the running in the second half, to comfortably beat Ryan Fay on the last shot, with the home sides McGleenan finishing third.

Score 2
Anthony Rooney v Fintan Daly v Gareth Lavery:
Anthony Rooney started strongly and had both his opponents in trouble when he nearly opened the first corner in three. Gareth Lavery made a strong comeback with good steady bowling, and when Anthony Rooney made two bad mistakes into the Orchard corner, the door was opened for Lavery, who went on to win by a shot, with Eglish’s Fintan Daly last of the trio.

Score 3
Martin Rooney v Joe McArdle v James McCann:
Eglish’s James McCann showed that he hasn’t lost any of his old flare. Throwing the speedier of the bullets, he raced into an early lead, which he was never to loose. An out of form Martin Rooney never really threatened, Joe McArdle persisted all the way to the line, though McCann won comfortably on the last shot.

Score 4
Shane O’Neill jnr v Jason Lennon v Sean Donnelly:
Shane O’Neill was very slow to get into his stride while Jason Lennon, throwing steadily, raced into an early lead. Sean Donnelly, carrying an injury, brought up the rear early on. Young Shane stepped up the pace and, bowling with grit and determination, pegged back the lead. Finishing strongly, Shane threw four great shots from the Long Lane to near the line to seal the victory. Sean Donnelly recovered somewhat to take second place for Eglish, with Jason Lennon coming in third.

This was an excellent start for Tullysaran in the prestigious Inter Club Competition. Two wins and a second place away from home and some very good performances see Tullysaran going into next weeks encounter in Eglish in a healthy position. The Eglish contingent will be hard to beat on their home ground, while Portmor will be determined to recover from their poor showing at home. All is still to play for with the score: Tullysaran 2, Eglish 1, and Portmor 1.