ALL IN READINESS FOR FIRST SERIES OF ALL-IRELANDS
All is in readiness at Castletownkinneigh for their eagerly looked-forward to hosting of the 2024 All-Ireland championships. Preparations have gone to plan and have been well rehearsed in catering for very large crowds at many of the county finals that have already taken place on the championship route. A very committed team has endeavoured to ensure that all eventualities are covered and, with the weekend programme just unveiled and a big influx from Bol Chumann Uladh arriving in the days leading up, the stage is set for a weekend to savour. The three adult finals will garner most attention. Sunday’s battle for the All-Ireland intermediate crown holds plenty of intrigue. There will be a universal welcome for Ethan Rafferty, Ulster’s intermediate standard-bearer, who has recovered from that horrific leg-break suffered just days before last year’s finals at Eglish which deprived him of the opportunity to contest against Brian Wilmot for the 2023 title. Ethan’s comprehensive Ulster victory over Paul O’Reilly at Keady-Tassagh on Wednesday makes it three in row in the grade for the versatile Grange man. A former All-Ireland U18 winner, he has the wherewithal to make it difficult for Cork’s youthful champion. From any perspective a defeat for Tommy O’Sullivan would constitute a major surprise given the power he exhibits in his delivery and his dominance of all comers in the grade in Munster.
CURTIN'S LOCAL KNOWLEDGE COULD PLAY DECISIVE ROLE IN ALL-IRELAND DECIDER.
Earlier on Sunday at 10.30am Geraldine Curtin will carry huge support in her quest for a first senior All-Ireland. Late developments and a Sunday evening bulletin from Bol Chumann Uladh have revealed that Kelly Mallon will not be contesting the Ulster final she has qualified for against Dervla Toal-Mallon. Football commitments and treatment required for a niggling injury are prioritised for 2024 by the eleven-time champion leaving Dervla Toal-Mallon as provincial title holder. For Geraldine, the task of taking the ultimate prize may appear a little less daunting but it still very formidable and she will have to lay some old bogeys. Dervla may be in the twilight of a great career but is a four-time senior champion with two coming against Geraldine in 2008 and 2009 at Keady-Tassagh and Sally’s Cross. Geraldine’s road knowledge and the sheer determination and will to win displayed in her thrilling county final success are factors very much in her favour and she will go with confidence to what should be an absorbing final.
Likewise, Saturday’s junior A final will be an interesting set-to. Opposing Michael Murphy will be Pete Carr who was impressive in his defeat of Aaron Hughes in the Ulster final at Keady-Tassagh on Saturday. It will be a first All-Ireland appearance for Carr who is highly rated. He contested with Brian Wilmot in a re-arranged score when last year’s Intermediate final did not materialise and had a win over Gavin Twohig at Bol Fada. Michael Murphy’s experience from a tough Cork campaign and home road knowledge should see him through.
Cork’s challenge is well-served in the under-age finals. Castletownkinneigh’s programme opens with two on Saturday and particularly interesting will be the U18 decider which throws off at 10.30am. There will be a lot of expectation from Shane Crowley given his outstanding form and performance for the ages in that pulsating county final. He has certainly proven his mettle in pressure situations and demonstrated ability that should be good enough for outright honours, but wariness is still required. Oisin Gribben hails from a family steeped in Ulster’s bowling traditions. His predecessors have contested senior All-Ireland’s and Oisin, now a two-time Ulster U18 champion, possesses the capabilities to atone for a few recent defeats in national finals.
Ellen Sexton is defending ladies U18 champion and was well-tested in the county final by Emma Hurley. That was a good challenge she needed ahead of meeting a new Ulster U18 champion, Lily O’Rourke, who has history with the all-conquering Sexton sisters. Lily defeated Laura Sexton in U16 final of 2022 and will be keen to add U18 to her laurels.
Interestingly the U14 final has champions from north and south who have tasted All-Ireland glory already in their fledging careers. Ross O’Brien and Jack O’Reilly were crowned U12 winners in 2022 and 2023 respectively and while Ross has the power and scope to overwhelm Jack showed uncanny astuteness in taking the spoils from Cork’s Eoghan Hickey at Ballincurrig last year. This could be a close contest.
The full Castletownkinneigh line up for next weekend is as follows:
Saturday July 13 at 10.30am, Boys U18 final, Starting at The Bridge; Finishing at New Road; Shane Crowley (Cork) v Oisin Gribben (Armagh);
12.30pm Boys U14 final, Starting at Forshin’s Cross; Finishing at ‘The Bridge’, Ross O’Brien (Cork) v Jack O’Reilly (Armagh):
3.00pm, Junior A final, Starting at The Bridge, Finishing at New Road, Michael Murphy (Cork) v Pete Carr (Armagh).
Sunday July 14 at 10.30am Women’s Senior final, Starting at The Bridge, Finishing at Fehily’s’; Geraldine Curtin (Cork) v Dervla Toal-Mallon (Armagh).
12.30pm Girls U18 final, Starting at Forshin’s Cross Finishing at The Bridge;
Ellen Sexton (Cork) v Lily O’Rourke (Armagh).
3.00 Men’s Intermediate final, Starting at The Bridge Finishing at Foley’s; Tommy O’Sullivan (Cork) v Ethan Rafferty (Armagh).
HIGH FIVE FOR REIGNING CHAMP AFTER EPIC SEMI FINAL
Castletownkinneigh delivered again on Tuesday evening when the county ladies senior final, eagerly anticipated in the lead-up, more than fulfilled it’s promise as Geraldine Curtin and Hannah Sexton fought a pulsating shot for shot battle that had another big gathering in throes of excitement from start to finish. The games top two commanded large swathes of support, evidenced in the €8,000 total stake the contest went for. Geraldine’s opener gave her early leeway, but it was short lived as Hannah scorched into a first lead with a super fourth. It changed again at ‘round tower cross’ after a series of quality exchanges as the defending champion regained the lead and this was the precursor for both players to reach new heights as they matched each other in outstanding efforts to ‘Pynne’s corner’. Hannah had the advantage then throwing across to the ‘black gates’ but, again it was marginal as Geraldine’s thirteenth brought her back within metres for the last shots. With a finish to match what had been a superb contest, Geraldine’s determination was evident in a searing last shot that presented a big target for her Timoleague rival. Undefeated in so many finals, Hannah gave it her all, but her well-played response fell an agonising four metres shy of her opponent’s mark. So, Geraldine Curtin retains her Munster senior crown, now her fifth title in total while for Hannah who lost no caste in this defeat, there will be more championships to come her way. Robert Roche, son of Bol Chumann’s late and fondly remembered former secretary and chairman, Brendan, presented the Brendan Roche Cup to the 2024 champion and wished her the best in her quest for All-Ireland honours on July 14th when she will take on Dervla Toal-Mallon.
Meanwhile, the women’s intermediate group stage scores have been completed and draws made for county semi-finals. It all to play for when Emma Hickey and Hannah Cronin meet at Caheragh and Juliett Murphy takes on Ellen Sexton at Beal an mBlath. In the county U16 quarterfinal at Jagoe’s Mills, West’s defending champion, Emma Hurley is through to the last four after her win over Julianne O’Sullivan (East Cork).
CREEDON BOOKS HIS PLACE IN JUNIOR B SEMI'S
The junior B county rounds continue to the draw the crowds. Bantry on Saturday had Gaeltacht and Carbery champions in opposition in a quarterfinal clash that went right to the wire. Conor Creedon of Baile Bhuirne and Skibb’s Donie Harnedy went head-to-head for a €10,600 total and it was the Carbery champion who led for the opening two. A misplay with his third cost him the lead and sixty metres odds as Creedon took hold. The Gaeltacht man held the fore in all the shots to the half-way and on to novice line. Harnedy with excellent eleventh and twelfth efforts kept the margin tight and, when he fired a super shot close to the line it looked like a last shot showdown. Creedon had other ideas and from a long way back lined a beauty that not only passed Harnedy’s mark but scored out the last line. So, it's Conor Creedon now in against David Hubbard in a semi-final cracker at Ballinacurra, Upton. South-West’s David Hegarty and East Cork’s Willie O’Donnell meet in the second semi at Clondrohid.
O'DRISCOLL THROUGH TO JUNIOR VETERAN FINAL.
The junior veteran county semi-final at The Clubhouse on Saturday morning hinged on two shots of Kieran O’Driscoll’s that yielded big dividends in the bowling around ‘O’Brien’s corner’. From a practically level score with Mid Cork’s Jerry Murphy, the South West man forged a bowl in front and was soon close to doubling his advantage with another big one to ‘Murray’s’. Jerry Murphy closed to just a bowl of odds as the finish neared but not enough to prevent Kieran O’Driscoll from advancing to the junior veterans’ final against Andrew O’Leary. City venue, Templemichael are hosts. O’Driscoll/Murphy at The Clubhouse carried a €3,800 total.
In novice veteran county round semi-final at Ballinacurra, Upton on Tuesday, there was an unfortunate exit for South West challenger, Joe Tyner, whose hopes were scuppered by a foot injury incurred when throwing his second shot. City’s Declan O’Leary advances to the final but not in the way he would have wanted. He is a worthy contender and will face either Mid’s John O’Mahony or East Cork’s Padraigh O’Brien in the decider at Bweeng. In the Ulster senior men’s championship, Thomas Mackle has taken a two-one lead on Colm Rafferty after a very one-sided third score in the best of five series. Mackle won by three at Eglish on Sunday.
Regional activity is gradually winding down as concluding stages are reached in the multiple grades. The West Cork novice A final at Ardcahan on Saturday evening was a humdinger from start to finish and a credit to two of the regions great warriors who gave their all for the umpteenth time. Pat Daly, Kilronan and Michael Carroll, Gloun, went off for €3,300 and it was Carroll, with five big ones to ‘Croke’s wall’ who raced to a bowl lead. A chance or two came to extend but crucially not taken and gradually Daly made inroads. Narrowing the margin with each exchange, Daly took the lead with a mighty cast to the ‘palms’. It was short-lived, however, as Carroll regained the fore with three to go and had a sixty-metre advantage going for the line. Here, Daly, found he gears to line a last do or die effort that won the day in spectacular style.
In junior ladies at Ardcahan, Grace Hickey won from Eirinn O’Donovan. Shauna O’Driscoll won the West Cork U14 final at The Clubhouse on Wednesday. A grand contest with Nicola Hurley ended with Shauna finally overcoming Nicola’s determined challenge only over the closing stages. West Cork novice B is centred at Ballinacarriga and here on Monday, Brian Horgan overcame Seamus O’Regan in a hard-fought semi-final that carried a €1,800 total. On Tuesday in a quarterfinal, Jimmy O’Leary defeated Vincent Healy by a bowl, for €1,300. At The Clubhouse in novice E Liam McCarthy defeated Aidan McCarthy by a bowl for €200. In West Cork novice D semi-final at Durrus, Daniel Hayes (Kilronan) defeated Jan Tessyman, last shot, for €1,000. In the same grade at Drinagh, Kieran O’Driscoll defeated Alan O’Sullivan. In an E score here, Jack McCarthy defeated Tommy Walsh, almost a bowl, for €680.
Fionan Twohig won the South-West U12 final after a competitive joust with Darragh Ahern at Lyre. At Grange Vincent Dullea defeated Stephen Long and Ger Shanahan won from William O’Brien.
DING DONG BATTLE WIN FOR O'SULLIVAN.
Trevor O’Sullivan, Templemartin, is Mid Cork junior C winner for 2024. A competitive final at Jagoe’s Mills on Sunday morning had O’Sullivan making a blinding start against northern native, Eugene Kiernan, opening the first bend in three and rising a bowl of odds in the process. Kiernan rallied well with fine play to the ‘power station’ and eventually overhauled O’Sullivan. A shot for shot finale unfolded and it was O’Sullivan, back in front for the final exchanges who beat the line first and will go now to the county rounds. In Mid-Cork novice C at Templemartin, Mark Courtney defeated Paudie McSweeney, last shot, for €1,100 and in the same grade at Dunderrrow Joshua Murphy won out in a great contest with Stephen Moore for €1,700. Also,a in Ballinacurra, a couple of doubles saw City men, Declan O’Leary and Pat O’Donovan combine for two wins from Colm O’Regan and Timmie Maloney for stakes of €2,800 and €1,700. Also, O’Regan won a singles from Declan O’Leary, last shot, for €2,800.
ANOTHER TITLE IN HIS COLLECTION FOR O'BRIEN.
Ross O’Brien has added the Gaeltacht U16 championship to his honours list. A thrilling regional final at Baile Bhuirne saw him just edge out Macroom’s Dylan O’Shea after a magnificent battle. In a junior ladies quarterfinal at the same venue, Laura Creedon won from Lauren O’Brien. In the Gaeltacht novice championships, Colm O’Leary won from Mikey O’Callaghan. In the novice B semi-final at Macroom, Donal Og O’Leary defeated Paudie Murphy, by almost a bowl for €800. At Terelton, Andrew Kelleher defeated Colm Dromey
.
North Cork’s championships are also winding down. The junior C play-offs had Olan Noonan and Kevin Manning playing the second of a best of three at Berrings on Sunday morning. It will go to a decider after Noonan’s fine showing levelled the series. They played for a €1,600 total. In a novice D quarterfinal at Kilcorney mid-week, Luke Philpott survived a late scare to come in ahead of Barry Murphy. In a return double here, Mickey McAuliffe and Paul Walsh won from Martin McSweeney and Aidan O’Donoghue. In scores at Firmount an U14 girls quarterfinal saw Mia Hubbard take the verdict from Lylla Fleming and, in a novice C quarterfinal here, U18 champion, Shane Dennehy won a good tussle with Patrick Sexton. In ladies junior quarterfinals at Beal na Morrive, Rachel Lucey won from Shauna Lynch and Rose McAuliffe won from Ann Marie Roche. Beal na Morrive had scores on Friday, and here, in a novice B semi-final Kevin O’Donoghue defeated Kevin Ruby. Also here, for a €2,400 total, Brendan Cotter defeated Mickey McAuliffe. At Ballinagree in a score of swaying fortunes, Brian Crowley defeated Martin McSweeney for €3,200 and Sean Kiely defeated Tony O’Flynn by less than a metre for €3,620. In the City novice C final at Paddoes on Monday, John Donnellan defeated James McCarthy. In London novice 1 a three score play-off has seen former Ross man Jeremiah Fitzpatrick win through as regional representative after defeating Patrick O’Driscoll in the decider.
CARBERY NOTES;-
CROWLEY CARRIES CARBERY HOPES IN ALL-IRELAND U18 FINAL.
Shane Crowley’s U18 shoot-out with Ulster’s Oisin Gribbin opens proceedings at this weekends All-Ireland series at Castletownkinneigh. Surely buoyed by his electric performance over the course against John O’Donoghue in the county final, Shane carries the regions banner with confidence to a final he knows he cannot take for granted against an opponent who is a dual Ulster champion in the grade. Shane will bring big support from his Carbery base and hopes are high for a first All-Ireland for the region in one of bowling’s longest running and most popular under-age championships.
AN ALL FAMILY AFFAIR IN NOVICE A DECIDER.
Finals at Rosscarbery and Ballydehob concluded Carbery’s novice A and B championships. It’s back-to-back wins for Danny Coughlan who has followed up his 2023 novice B win with another title in the higher A grade. This time, a family affair, at Rosscarbery, saw Danny take the Joe Carroll Cup at the expense of his brother, Finbarr. A championship winner too in 2020 when he won C, and went all the way to the county final, Danny will bring experience to the county rounds when he takes on the City representative in the preliminaries.
At Ballydehob on Saturday, the B decider provided a thrilling finish. Patrick Crowley and David O’Connor, two of the grades more youthful exponents, had come through a few tough battles on the way and this was another close engagement as O’Connor held sway to the tune of forty metres in the shots up past ‘Sammy’s pillars’. He will rue a few missed chances as Crowley found his form to lead and looked like taking big odds to the ‘cottage’. O’Connor kept him at bay with a super tenth but then a misplay and Crowley was away to a big lead that amounted to a bowl of odds as the line neared. In a dramatic finale, two poor efforts from Crowley gave O’Connor a glimmer which he seemed to have made the most of with a splendid last shot. Crowley stood up to the test and beat a formidable mark to take the winner’s prize.
Leap host the novice C decider this week after both semi-finals provided close finishes. Denis Murphy came within a whisper of upsetting the applecart when he ran Brendan Crowley to the last shot before succumbing to the Bauravilla players late piledriver while Schull’s James Murphy did deliver one of the shocks when eliminating county U18 champion, Shane Crowley, in another score of tight margins. Denis O’Sullivan is in pole position in junior C after a fine display at Caheragh on Thursday saw him overcome Colm Crowley in their best of three.
At Bantry on Saturday, there was disappointment for Carbery followers as Donie Harnedy bowed out of the county junior B title race. Harnedy gave his all in a hard-fought score but suffered a last shot defeat to Gaeltacht’s Conor Creedon. Brian Harrington did progress in U12 winning his preliminary round against City’s Tadg Callanan at Ballinacurra. Interestingly too with the county novice inter-regional rounds about to commence, it is former Carbery player, Jeremiah Fitzpatrick of Rosscarbery who is London regional representative following a best of three win at the weekend.