BÓL CHUMANN SEARCHES FOR NEW SECRETARY
Ból Chumann na hÉireann held their annual convention at the Munster Arms Hotel, Bandon recently, where all regions were represented, secretary Micháel Ó’Ceallachain stepped down after a three and a half year term, he thanked all his fellow officers for their help and support in what he said were a difficult three years, but also some memorable moments. The position of secretary was not filled on the night and will be the first order of business at the March executive meeting on March 5th. The following officers were returned unopposed president Susan Greene, Chairman Willie Murphy, Vice Chairman Michael Hurley, Treasure James O’Driscoll, Fixtures Secretary Ritchie Fitzgerald, Youth Officer David Murphy, Emma Fitzpatrick takes up the role of Registrar left vacant by Billy McAuliffe and Seamus O’Tuama is the new PRO a position made vacant by the untimely passing of Pat McCarthy. Seamus is no stranger to the top table having served as Secretary from 1990 to 1992, and Chairman from 1996 to 2000.
A few motions were also passed on the night that all regions, clubs and players should take note of.
Motion 1;- That all Junior grades be graded on merit and a player who only wins 1 or 2 scores in a grade should not have to automatically go up a grade.
Motion 2;- The 2 finalists in Novice A, B, C, & D automatically go up to the next grade for a minimum of 2 years, but that a veteran player who wins Novice will go up for one year and be graded on merit after that.
Motion 3;- That no practise shots be allowed after the advertised starting time of a score in the vicinity of the starting line.
Motion 4;- That Ból Chumann na hÉireann elect an assistant secretary and an assistant treasurer to assist the honorary secretary and honorary treasure and to step in if the hon sec or treasure are not available.
STORMING FINISH SECURES O'SULLIVANS WHELTON CUP SPOT.
The Willie Whelton Cup continued at Grange here Michael Bohane played Denis O’Sullivan in a first round score, O’Sullivan didn’t get the best of starts in this score but rallied well to raise a bowl at Hollands Wall. Bohane had only one fore bowl in this score and that was his first shot. His second, third and fourth shots left him short of sight at the stud farm bend. After two more to Hollands Wall O’Sullivan rose the bowl. Bohane got an absolute beauty of a seventh shot to De Barra’s that O’Sullivan only beat in two by fifteen meters. There is a lot of luck attached to the shots from here to the School Cross. After two more to the green, O’Sullivan had a fifty meter advantage. Bohane got an almighty eleventh shot from the bottom of the hill up past John Bill’s, O’Sullivan only beat this by twenty meters. From here there was no holding back O’Sullivan he got four unreal bowls, three out sight past James Barry’s and another over the line to win by a bowl. The stake at issue was €4,150 a-side.
Preceding this score in the outward journey from the pub a Novice a tournament score was played. Jack O’Callaghan from Castletown played Conor Lucey from Beal Na Marbh. For a total stake of €6,000. Lucy opened with a huge first shot that gave him a cushion of a bowl of odds. O’Callaghan knocked this with a super third but undid his good work with a short fourth back of Noelies bungalow. A huge sixth and seventh shot from O’Callaghan and he had the margin down to two meters at Hegarty’s Wall. Three more each to De Barra’s where Lucey had a ten meter advantage. A massive eleventh shot from O’Callaghan past the Novice line yielded him his first lead in the score. Two more each to Billy Barry’s railing and Lucey was back in front by seven meters. Both made a good effort for the line but it was Lucey with a five meter advantage for the last shot. O’Callaghan’s last went left, a very beatable shot but Lucey caught the right dyke and missed the tip.
The Sunday morning deluge of rain halted all championship and tournament scores, all of these to be re-scheduled.
EMILY LEADS FROM TRAP TO LINE TO TAKE NOVICE TITLE.
Clondrohid hosted the final of the Novice Ladies tournament, Kate Moynahan from Kilnamartyra took on local girl Emily Murphy. Emily opened with two big bowls and gave herself an early cushion of a bowl of odds. Emily up past Tier Beg Cross in three more great bowls rising her odds to almost two bowls, Emily putting no bowls out of place reached the Bell Inn in four more and Kate doing nothing wrong but just could make no inroads on Emily’s bowling. After two more to Kelly’s hump Emily took the honours.
Carbery held the second morning of their Novice team event at the Marsh Road and here again it was the Leap lads of Kieran O’Sullivan, Diarmuid O’Callaghan and Cian Minihane who took the honours