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Week ending Sunday 24th August
It was a busy weekend as five county finals were decided, with Padraigh Scanlon, Cathal O’Sullivan, Billy Healy, Cathal Creedon and Michael A. Cronin among the big winners.
James O’Donovan booked his King of the Roads semi-final place after a strong Mick Barry Cup victory over Gary Daly and Aidan Murphy at Ballincurrig.
Meanwhile, Paul Buckley edged Brian Wilmot in a thrilling finish to claim the long-delayed Connie K. O’Sullivan Cup at the Marsh Road.
COUNTY JOY FOR CREEDON, O'SULLIVAN & CRONIN
The last of the semi-finals were played on Monday 18th, both novice A semi-finals, the first at Beal Na Marbh between Padraigh Scanlon, Blarney and Tom Cronin, Mayfield playing for a stake of €4,500 a-side. Cronin took the first two shots but Scanlon lined a huge third to take his first lead at the cottages. Two poor bowls in succession to and away from the Rock for Cronin and Scanlon extended his lead to a bowl of odds. After ten and eleven into the hedging Scanlon had almost two bowls with only two shots to go. In the other semi-final at Shannonvale Kevin Ó’Crualaoi Innishannon beat David O’Brien Dunmanway by almost two bowls playing for €2,310 a-side. A sluggish start by both but after three to McSweeney’s O’Brien had fifty meters of odds. After three more around the Quarry bend O’Brien’s odds was the same. But from here Ó’Crualaoi did some astonishing bowling, he got a phenomenal seventh shot well above Buttimers pillars that won him his first lead, he followed this up with another super bowl to Desmond’s where he now had a bowl of odds. O’Brien got a super bowl up off the cross that Ó’Crualaoi beat by forty meters in two. O’Brien missed Kingstons and Ó’Crualaoi made the end of Kingston’s wall a big bowl of odds up again. He followed up with two more huge bowls to Campbell’s where he won by two bowls of odds.
In a novice D semi-final played at the Clubhouse, Cathal O’Sullivan, Caheragh played Mikey O’Callaghan, Ballyvourney for €950 a-side. O’Sullivan, at the chip cross had a bowl of odds. O’Callaghan had it down to forty meters at Dineen’s lane, both made Clon Cross in eight each where O’Sullivan was throwing over thirty meters. This false piece of road did O’Sullivan no favours as his bowl broke badly and the odds was now down to twenty five meters. O’Sullivan lined two perfect bowls from here to O’Riordan’s where he raised a bowl of odds again, he made the railings in two more where he extended his lead with the bowl and held this to the finish.
The Carbery-South West-West vintage B final was played at Inch between two west cork men, Patsy O’Sullivan, Kealkil playing John Murphy, Togher for a stake of €1,500 a-side. This was a shot for shot duel, with both players having their moment, it was anyone’s score right up to the last shot. O’Sullivan opened with two poor bowls but Murphy didn’t take advantage of this and only lead by twenty meters. O’Sullivan’s another poor effort with his third and Murphy put daylight between them. O’Sullivan got a nice touch off the Bridge with his fifth and followed up with a huge sixth to sight for the race course that gave him his first lead by one meter. Murphy was back in front again after three more by twelve meters and the U-12 line. Another lead was to come when O’Sullivan lined a big tenth and Murphy’s bowl seemed weak and fell left and missed the tip. After three more back of the line it was anyone’s score where Murphy had ten meters of an advantage. O’Sullivan lined an average last bowl, Murphy’s bowl went in left hind bowl but just beat the tip by two meters,
It was a weekend of high drama, big stakes and West Cork success as five county finals were decided across the grades, as the All-Ireland series in Drogheda draws closer.
Newcestown hosted the novice C county final between Liam Kearney (Inchageelagh) and Billy Healy (Kanturk) with a hefty €6,800 a-side riding on it. This was a post to pillar performance by the North Cork man, grandson of Connie Moylan. At the lollipops in three each, Healy had a twenty five meter advantage. Both got huge bowls to O’Brien’s cross. A blunder here from Kearney with his fifth where he was punished by Healy who raised big odds up past Keane’s & O’Donovan’s farmhouse’s. At Canty’s lane Healy had big odds with the bowl and when he opened the last bend the odds doubled. He now plays Cathal O’Sullivan the Novice D winner for the Novice 2 representative for Bol Chumann in Drogheda.
Ballinacurra staged the Novice D County final between Cathal O’Sullivan (Caheragh) and Pa Daly (Fermoy) playing for a stake of €1,520 a-side. Both opened strongly with O’Sullivan shading it by twenty meters. Three more through Brinny X where O’Sullivan still had 1 fifteen meter advantage. Daly took his fifth out over the rough and made the end of the church wall, O’Sullivan play was not great and his bowl turned in left to give Daly his first lead. Daly got a huge bowl from the Gasworks and was throwing his odds over forty meters back of Perriots, but three poor bowls in succession and O’Sullivan was back in control again at the GAA entrance. O’Sullivan made Innishannon X where he had huge odds but Daly lined a massive second last that O’Sullivan only beat by twenty meters and it was suddenly down to a last shot. However Daly’s last was always left and missed the bend and O’Sullivan had nothing to beat, he now plays Billy Healy for the Novice 2.
Cathal Creedon (Ballyvourney) made up for the disappointment of his U-18 loss when he won the junior C county Final from Eoin O’Donovan (Belgooly) at Derrinasaffa, playing for €2,400 a-side this was top drawer bowling from Creedon a post to pillar victory. They were at the end of the long wall in two each where Creedon had thirty meters of odds, a dreadful poor bowl from O’Donovan here and he was suddenly fighting the score, Creedon was over the bridge in two more where he had almost a bowl, he raised the bowl with his next and when he opened sight at Natties he had almost two bowls. O’Donovan got two super bowls through Cotter’s Cross and up to the Darkwood turn where he knocked the two bowls by ten meters. O’Donovan kept it under the 2bls up past Walsh’s Lane and on for Hon Grady’s, but there was no denying Creedon his victory.
Padraigh Scanlon from (Carrignavar) was a trap to line winner over Kevin Ó’Crualaoi (Innishannon) in the novice A county final played at Curraheen for a stake of €7,400 a-side. Scanlon broke off first and got three good bowls to Ballinora Cross where he had almost a bowl of odds. A lot of Ó’Crualaoi’s bowls went left. Scanlon was out sight at the bridge in three more great bowls where he doubled his margin of odds. Ó’Crualaoi did the best of his bowling up the rising road, he had the odds back to an even bowl at the Rock Gap but undid all his good work when he misplaced his fourteenth shot into the left at Richards lane, Scanlon went full sight and the odds was closer to two bowls again, Ó’Crualaoi saved the two bowls.
On down to Grange for the fifth and last county final of the weekend, here we had the novice B county final between Leap man David Minihane and Michael A.Cronin from Togher cross near Dunmanway playing for €5,100 as. Like three of the other finals this weekend there was no lead for Minihane in this score. Cronin opened with a phenomenal first shot that almost went full sight at the Stud farm bend, Minihane beat this by forty meters in two shots, Cronin’s second bowl was left but got a huge touch to almost sight at Hollands. Minihane got a good third to Hollands and Cronin made down past De Barra’s in two more where he had almost a bowl of odds. Minihane missed sight for the School cross and Cronin made full sight, Minihane played a parley cue that went into the green no sight at Hegarty’s. After two more facing up the hill Cronin had almost two bowls of odds. he held this advantage up past John Bills. Minihane knocked big odds with his twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth shots but undid the good works when he missed out the last bend at Barry’s and victory went to Cronin who will now play Padraigh Scanlon for the Novice 1 title.
JAMES O'DONOVAN EARNS HIS KING OF THE ROADS SEMI FINAL SPOT
The Mick Barry Cup final was played at Ballincurrig between James O’Donovan v Gary Daly v Aidan Murphy for a stake of €4,550 as. A lucky touch off the stones with his fourth shot to the no-play line for O’Donovan set him up nicely for victory. Where he had a bowl of odds on both Murphy and Daly. Three more good bowls to the top of the long straight where he held his bowl advantage on both and where Murphy was just fore bowl of Daly. O’Donovan at the bottom of the short straight in two more and out to the sycamores with his eleventh where he had big odds with the bowl. He opened the last bend in thirteen and into the green winning by two bowls of odds on both players. He now qualifies for the King of the Roads semi-final.
A long standing tournament final was finally played out at the Marsh Road for the Connie K.O’Sullivan cup between Brian Wilmot and Paul Buckley, playing for a stake of €1,400 a-side. Buckley had the early advantage in this one, he was up past Longs Bus entrance in three bowls where he had sixty meters of odds, he held this advantage to the Quarry gate. At the silvery gate he raised the bowl of odds from here he went out the steps in three more where he still had a bowl of odds. Wilmot upped his game from here and went out Ballyhily bend it two astronomical shots that won him his first lead by twenty meters. Wilmot followed up with another huge bowl to the avenue gate where he was throwing his odds over twenty meters. Buckley got a big second last and beat the line with a massive last shot that Wilmot missed and Buckley snatched the honours.
News Updates & Results
2nd Series All Ireland Finals - Report
Keady-Tassagh, County Armagh
Saturday 02nd & Sunday 03rd August
WEST BEST STRIKE GOLD ON MAIN STAGE
West Cork bowlers brought their A-game to the All-Ireland series in Armagh - and brought home the titles too. Schull's Shane Crowley, Drinagh's Emma Hurley, Laura Sexton from Timoleague, and Eoghan Kelly from Macroom performed outstanding performances on the Keady-Tassagh road to claim All-Ireland glory, each delivering on big stages when it mattered most.
Shane Crowley made amends for his defeat in last year’s U-18 final that he lost to Armagh’s Oisin Gribben at Castletown when he beat Eoghan McVeigh from the Tyrone club by a bowl of odds on the Keady-Tassagh road in Armagh. Crowley’s power was the decisive factor in this contest. McVeigh took the first shot but Crowley settled into this score with a massive third and fourth out Tynams bend where he had a bowl of odds. McVeigh with a couple perfect bowls had it under the bowl at Gillogly’s. Crowley at the Creamery lane restored his bowl advantage he held this odds up to McKeown’s and into the hollow. A strong challenge from McVeigh in the last quarter, McVeigh lined a fantastic thirteenth shot down the hill past the garage and followed up with three more out past McKee’s wall and on to Dudleys where he had the odds down to fifty meters. Crowley finished with two great bowls out the bridge and over the line to bring the title back to Schull.
ALL-IRELAND DELIGHT FOR LOCAL BOWLERS WHO RAID THE ORCHARD
In the girls U18, Drinagh’s Emma Hurley was ice-cool as she saw off Ellie Mai Carr daughter of former champion Eddie Carr.
Ellie Mai bust from the blocks lining three massive bowls into the hollow, but a totally composed and focused Hurley kept it under the bowl. Hurley took her first lead with a massive fourth and would not be led anymore. She raised big odds down Gillogly’s Heights, the defining moment came when Hurley went sight above the piggeries and Carr missed out. Hurley raised the bowl with an incredible shot to the Bus Shelter, she was over the finish line in two more adding the U18 title to her U16 of 2023.
The boy’s U14 we thought was going to be the score of the weekend when they opened with two huge bowls each, O’Rourke taking both shots. Kelly got an incredible third shot that ran into the hollow before Gillogly’s Height’s that won him his first lead. He took control of the score from here and at Twynams bend after two more sizzling shots he raised the bowl. O’Rourke put in a late challenge when he got a magnificent tenth out the last bend at the bus shelter, it was under the bowl here, but the line was approaching and O’Rourke got an incredible last but Kelly had only to beat the line to take the title and did so with a well-played last.
In the Junior A Paddy Stokes from Mayfield was taking on a seasoned campaigner in Conor McGuigan, McGuigan no stranger to All-Ireland titles having won Senior, Intermediate and Junior A titles already over the years. There was a stake of €600 a-side in this one. Stokes took the first and fourth shots of this score but a super fourth out to Tynams corner from McGuigan gave him control of the score. From here it was not so much the big bowling of McGuigan but the dip in form that Stokes took. Four very poor bowls in succession and suddenly he fell two bowls of odds behind at the Creamery lane. Stokes knocked the two bowls with a super ninth to Dooley’s but McGuigan raised them again at McKeown’s. A dip in form down the Carnival straight and on for the Garage from McGuigan where he played three poor bowls and the odds here was under the bowl. Stokes did his best to stem the tide from here to the bridge but McGuigan upped his game again and beat two big bowls to the bridge, Stokes missed the line and McGuigan took the title by a bowl of odds.
Sunday morning was the turn of the senior ladies, Kelly Mallon going for her twelfth title taking on Hannah Sexton going for her first. One lead for Sexton in this score that being her first shot a massive drive up the hill that she won by three meters. Sexton got a superb fourth and the score looked to be level at Twynam’s bend, but Sexton spun her fifth crazy right and it fell short of sight at Twynam’s bend. Mallon went full sight in five having almost a bowl of odds here. Mallon playing with a bit of luck on her side got a super sixth and seventh into the hollow and over Gilloghy’s height that extended her odds with the bowl. Mallon raised the second bowl with an incredible eight to the Creamery lane. Mallon held this odds on to Dooley’s and facing up to McCann’s. Sexton’s thirteenth was a super bowl that knocked the two bowls, at the Carnival gates it was still under the two bowls but Mallon lined a big last that Sexton missed for the two bowls of odds. Mallon undisputedly the best woman bowler ever, has set a record that we can safely say will never ever be broken. We look forward to seeing her again at the King & Queen of the Roads in September.
Back the road on Sunday we had the inaugural Junior Ladies All-Ireland between Laura Sexton (Sister of Hannah) taking on Jessica Hughes (Cousin of Kelly Mallon). A nervy start from both girls Sexton took the first shot and Hughes the second. Sexton settled the better and got two great bowls to McKeown’s, but Hughes was back in front with a super fifth facing down for the Creamery lane. Sexton got a good bowl to the Creamery lane and Hughes was very right and missed the tip, Hughes caught the left with her seventh and Sexton raised big odds with her seventh and eight shots on towards Gillogly’s, Hughes kept it under the bowl with a massive drive to Twynam’s bend, but Sexton went almost sight to Twynam’s bend that Hughes missed and now with the line approaching Hughes had it all to do. She done well to keep it to the bowl along the straight for the last bend at the bus shelter. Hughes missed the line and Sexton beat it well to take the Malachy Lennon Cup to Timoleague for the next twelve months presented by Malachy’s wife Philomena.
The final score to close out the second series of All-Irelands was the Intermediate between Paidin Stokes playing Eugene McVeigh playing with the Cork style. McVeigh opened with a huge drive up the hill, extended his lead in two more facing Twynam’s bend, Stokes done well to keep it under the bowl at Twynam’s bend. But McVeigh unleashed a rocket of a fifth shot up Gillogly’s heights that raised the bowl as Stokes bowl fell right. Stokes knocked the bowl at the Creamery lane. McVeigh restored his bowl advantage again with another jet to Dooley’s, he held this to McCann’s and raised almost a second bowl onto the Carnival straight but two poor bowls from here for McVeigh and a gap suddenly opened for Stokes. But he missed McKee’s wall and left a chance slip, Stokes had it under the bowl before the bridge, McVeigh hopped the Bridge and Stokes got a super rub to shove this score to a last shot. McVeigh’s sixteenth looked buried left but the Gods were with him as it came out and made just back of the finish line. Stokes missed this and the title goes to Tyrone.
The winners of the weekend....
