THRILLS AND SPILLS IN FIVE COUNTY JUNIOR C AND NOVICE FINALS. AS ALL-IRELANDS IN COURTMACSHERRY LOOM LARGE.
Sunday’s finals at Courtmacsherry and Ballinacurra, Upton, completed an exhaustive month of junior C and novice championships. Hectic it may have been, but the thrills and spills delivered by so many regional champions in their quest of county glory captivated the bowling populace on an almost nightly basis.
O'SULLIVAN TAKE JUNIOR C TITLE IN A POLISHED PERFORMANCE.
The junior C and novice B deciders were in keeping with much of what had gone on in the lead up. The junior C final at the All-Ireland venue may have ended in a two-bowl winning margin for Mid Cork’s Trevor O’Sullivan but Alan O’Leary, though well below his best did threaten throughout. A poor opener by the North-East champion was his original undoing. O’Sullivan powered on and wouldn’t be led. O’Leary did have chances to capitalise on average third and fourth efforts of O’Sullivan’s but didn’t avail and, when the Templemartin man hit a beauty through ‘Lislee Cross’ a bowl of odds came between. He beat big tips of O’Leary’s to hold that advantage but was reeled in significantly when the North East man lined a big ninth and came again with quality shots at ‘O’Driscoll’s’. He did not maintain that momentum and by ‘Fleming’s’ and on the ‘Vincent O’Donovan’s’, O’Sullivan had restored his bowl lead. He increased it over the closing shots and was a comprehensive winner by the end. Trevor O’Sullivan will be part of the All-Ireland series at Courtmacsherry and will carry the Cork banner in the junior C title race. The stake in Sunday’s final totalled €26,420.
HORGAN SHOWS CLASS IN NOVICE B WIN.
Sunday morning’s novice B final at the Mid Cork venue was the proverbial belter. Two outstanding finalists, Brian Horgan and David Crowley, representing regions West and North had won terrific semi-finals from opponents who would have been worthy finalists themselves and were brimming with confidence as they played from Brinny for an €8,000 stake. Crowley had the better runs from his first three before Horgan fired a beauty through the ‘main road’ that levelled it. There followed a series of top-class exchanges with Crowley back in front by a slender margin and, when Horgan cut a shade too tightly at the ‘GAA pitch’, the advantage looked with the North Cork man. Horgan’s response was electric as he drilled an inch-perfect reply that ran past ‘Innishannon cross’ and to clear sight beyond. It restored a handy lead at a vital juncture. Crowley needed a big one and, trying too hard on the left, caught the grass and suddenly the Dunmanway man was a bowl clear. In what road was left, Crowley tried to his limit, but the Brendan and Connie O’Callaghan Cup was deservedly heading for the Doheny town. Another savage battle awaits now as he plays off with another rising star, the higher graded Anthony Crowley who won the novice A title race. Novice 1 representation at Courtmacsherry is at stake.
INTERNATIONAL TEAM MATES GO HEAD TO HEAD IN A THRILLING NOVICE A FINAL AT BEAL NA MARBH.
It was perhaps the most eagerly looked forward to of the five finals played and it lived up to its billing in that respect, fought to a standstill on a difficult waterlogged road. Two of bowling’s best from the under-age sector, international teammates in Germany in May, one a Gold Medal winner the other a vital cog in a magnificent team winning performance, Anthony Crowley of the City and Liam Murphy (Gaeltacht) had been brilliant in their campaigns to the final and they exhibited again as they struggled through the water-filled channels. Despite the conditions, the crowd in keeping with so much of the August action, was large and representative resulting in a stake of €11,600. Murphy had the better of it at the start beating good tips of Crowley’s and was a shade unlucky with his fourth not to increase a twenty-five metre lead. A miscalculation with his fifth was a rare error but it cost him the lead and Crowley held the ascendancy until the Gaeltacht man fired an exquisite tenth to regain the fore. It looked like it might have been the Gaeltacht youth’s day when he took a massive break with his third last. This transferred to a forty-metre lead for the last shots. Crowley had been game all through and, in a similar fashion to the late charge that defeated Conor Lucey in the semi-final at Carrignavar, he found the gears to fire another big one when he needed it most. Murphy’s game reply missed by six metres. A galling defeat no doubt for the Ballyvourney youth but one in which he lost no caste. Anthony Crowley will play-off this week against B county winner Brian Horgan for the right to Cork novice 1 nomination at the Courtmacsherry on September 7th.
O'REGAN SURVIVES ANOTHER HURDLE.
For Colm O’Regan the final hurdle looked particularly daunting. Martin McSweeney was coming like a train, wiping out the bowl of odds deficit he incurred early on and was now within metres of the long-time leader as the finish line loomed. And yet, as in so many instances through the summer months, the Belgooly man survived and, has put the sheen on the most dramatic of winning runs with the county novice D championship for 2024. Played at North East venue, Grenagh, for a combined €11,200 in total, and with former All-Ireland junior and intermediate champion, Mick O’Driscoll refereeing proceedings, O’Regan was, a rarity for him, out of traps fast and was the bones of a bowl of odds up after three. McSweeney, North Cork’s fine champion from Rathcoole, had come through the wringer to get to the final. He held tough beating good shots of O’Regan’s to keep the margin under the shot. O’Regan enjoyed a huge touch with his ninth but once again McSweeney beat a big tip to stay in touch. The odds eventually closed after the thirteenth exchange and, amid a welter of excitement, McSweeney’s next was the proverbial ‘screamer’ and now just metres separated them. O’Regan still held the fore but just twenty metres was all that was in it for the final exchanges. Unfortunately for the North Cork challenger, his finish did not match his comeback rally and his shot for glory was easily negotiated by Colm O’Regan who became the proud possessor of the Mick Wiseman Cup. He must play C winner, Jamie McDonagh for a place in the novice 2 section of the forthcoming All-Ireland series at Courtmacsherry. It is a contest in which he will be considered rank outsider but, for Colm O’Regan, after the run he has enjoyed, anything is possible.
A GOOD LAST THIRD SECURES NOVICE C VICTORY FOR MCDONAGH
The novice C final at Firmount on Friday was the most disappointing of the five played. Perhaps not so for North East’s Jamie McDonagh whose facile win was assured long before the end, but, for the second evening in succession it marked a Gaeltacht defeat only this time by an unexpectedly wide margin. Gearoid Lucey had enjoyed a magnificent campaign winning a grade of many contenders in his own division and escaping from some tight corners in county rounds particularly against Mid Cork’s Joshua Murphy and had high hopes against McDonagh who might be considered an outright favourite given his impressive displays. Gearoid’s second compensated for a wayward first and, ahead at the that point might have made more of a third that would have raised big odds. Not availed of, it was McDonagh who raced ahead but with more chances going a begging only twelve metres separated them after eight to the ‘pump’. It was Lucey’s tenth, dropped to the left, that really undid his challenge. McDonagh was soon a bowl clear. The North East man was now finding his groove and a massive cast to ‘McCarthy’s’ put the seal on his county title. He will take a lot of beating when he takes on ‘D’ winner Colm O’Regan, in the play-off for a place as Cork novice 2 in the All-Ireland series at Courtmacsherry. The total stake at Firmount amounted to €10,300.
JOE O'SULLIVAN CUP TAKES CENTRE STAGE THIS WEEKEND.
Taking centre stage next weekend is the Joe O’Sullivan Acorn Life Cup and support scores on the Eyries road, Castletownbere. Thomas Mackle v James O’Donovan and Aidan Murphy v Gary Daly are the semi-finalists in the feature senior competition while the programme also includes Sean Donnelly and Jake Cullen, Armagh as well as old reliables at events such as this, John Cahalane, Darren Harrington, Flor Crowley and Jim Coffey.
James O’Donovan warmed up in fine style for his participation out west by taking on senior rival, Arthur McDonagh in a score at Courtmacsherry which was pencilled before the county junior C decider. For a €20,000 total, a slack start did not deter O’Donovan. McDonagh held a good lead after three but was reeled in by O’Donovan’s fourth, an extraordinary effort along the centre. It turned the score in the Bandon man’s favour, and he eventually won by two bowls.
QUEEN QUALIFIES CUP TOURNAMENT WINDING UP.
With the King and Queen of the Road festival on the horizon too for September, qualifiers continue for both the premier competitions. A thriller in Kilcorney unfolded when Veronica O’Mahony and Denise Murphy met at the weekend in a Queen qualifier. Veronica, who led Silke Tulk with four to go and came desperately close to snatching a shock semi-final win, prevailed against Denise but only after a titanic battle in which they were level to the three-quarter point. The winner eased into a good lead with two to go and it was enough.
In other club action, All-Ireland veteran winner, Andrew O’Leary scored a win over Denis Cooney at Templemichael for a €900 total and back here, William Barrow defeated Denis Connolly, two bowls, for €2,400.
Regional action is now centred on Novice E, junior ladies and under-age. There was a big turn-out at Bantry on Wednesday evening for the E finals. In the first of these, the A section final, local, Darragh McCarthy, not for the first time showed his paces in a quality display that had him a bowl of odds winner over Jack McCarthy, Drimoleague. The contest carried an €800 stake. The B section final was a desperately close affair. Drinagh’s Jeremy Hurley had a mere metre to spare on an unlucky Liam McCarthy of Castledonovan who had given his all in a thrilling contest. They played for a €2,300 total.
ALLEN SISTERS FIGHT IT OUT @ BEAL NA BLATH.
In Mid Cork there was a double at Beal na mBlath for the Allen girls in the junior semi-finals. Ciara won from Chloe Desmond and Rosin came ahead of Evelyn Foley. A couple of scores at Ballinacurra, Upton on Monday, saw Tim Allen win from Paul Kelleher, last shot, for €1,640 and Sean Galvin take the verdict from Stephen Murphy for €2,100. Here the following evening, Deccie O’Mahony scored a good win for a €2,000 stake from Timmie Maloney. Denis Carroll defeated Gene O’Callaghan in novice E. In Mid Cork on Wednesday Damien Healy defeated Shane Healy for €1,400. Elsie O’Flynn is the Mid Cork girls U12 champion after a great score at Dunderrow with Orla O’Sullivan.
In the Gaeltacht division the ladies junior final at Cilln a Martra on Wednesday turned out to be a real humdinger. Rachel Desmond and Adrianna Creedon were both on song in a terrific shot for shot duel that went to the wire. Never more than a few metre between them, Adrianna managed to gain a few extra and was forty ahead by ‘O’Regan’s’. Rachel determinedly hauled it back and led again for the final exchanges. Rachel narrowly won that vital throw-off and will go forward to contest the county rounds. They played for a total of €640.
In the City division a big money shoot-out at Whitechurch on Tuesday had Rico O’Brien and Cian Boyle in opposition. It went shot for shot for most of the way before O’Brien got the verdict in the final throw. They played for a €6,400 total. In North Cork at Firmount on Tuesday a novice E contest was won by Con Fitzpatrick who defeated Aidan O’Brien by two for €500. Back the road, Dave Harrington defeated Barry Meade, last shot, for €500. A three-way novice E score at Kilcorney on Wednesday resulted in a win for Connie Kelleher over Aidan O’Donoghue and Paddy Finnegan.
UNLIMITED BOWLING AT BANTRY.
At Bantry mid-week, on the ‘creamery road’ there was a large turn-out for the CoAction Unlimited Road Bowling play-offs. Logistics and transport costs prohibited the hosting of an All-Ireland series this year so this was the only meaningful competition for those participating. CoAction’s involvement with Bol Chumann at these annual competitions now spans thirty years. In that period the thousands of hours of enjoyment derived by the participants has proved their immense value and the willingness of so many volunteers to give of their time is testimony to its standing in the organisation’s annual calendar. Bantry last week showed there was no waning of interest. All the main competitions were keenly contested. In the junior A final, Drinagh’s Christopher Walsh, a regular winner, pulled out all the stops to deny a gallant Paul Colgan. The intermediate ladies was a three-way thriller. Kelly Newman won from Joy Robinson and Catherine O’Sullivan. Colette O’Leary won the senior ladies grade as did Martin Dullea senior men. Novice grades held their own interest. Paul O’Driscoll and Leo Buckley were involved in novice A while Liam O’Leary and Alan Coakley vied for novice B. Mary Dennehy and Ellie Connolly were in junior ladies while in the wheelchair section, Michelle O’Driscoll and Gracie Grosser-Baines battled out. Men’s wheelchair had John Paul O’Donoghue and Mark Harrington in action. Bol Chumann personnel attending to give a hand included, James O’Driscoll, Tom Conway and Dan McCarthy.
CARBERY REPORT
O'DRISCOLL TURNS ON THE STYLE IN ROSSCARBERY.
Rosscarbery provided the bulk of Carbery action on the bowling roads this past week with no less than seven scores completed and progress in tournaments junior B, novice B and D. Leap advanced the junior ladies championship to the latter stages and there was a county win for Lauren McCarthy in U12. Darren Harrington set things in motion in Rosscarbery on Wednesday evening winning an exciting novice B duel with South West champion, Gearoid McCarthy in the last shot. McCarthy had a bowl lead after four but lost the lead to a great shot by Harrington at the ‘B&B’ who then was forty metres up. McCarthy regained the lead, but it was Harrington who prevailed in the final exchanges. The performance of the week came from Clon’s Johnny O’Driscoll whose opening five in his junior B tournament clash with Noel O’Regan were of the highest order. They gave him a bowl of odds cushion and he increased his margin at ‘DeBarra’s’ only to hit a slack patch subsequently which O’Regan didn’t avail of. The two bowls came between them beyond ‘Cahermore cross’ and effectively ended O’Regan’s challenge. In the same competition, Bantry’s Muiris Buttimer turned in a competent performance in defeating Newcestown’s Ger D O’Driscoll by a bowl. Buttimer rose his winning odds in the shots to the no-play lines. In the new Pat O’Halloran Cup in Rosscarbery there were wins for Ian O’Sullivan and Mike Keohane while there was also a local win in a return score when Micheal O’Sullivan got the better of Jim Coffey.
At Leap, Triona Murphy is on track to retain her junior ladies championship. Triona had a tough battle with local challenger, Shannon Ronan in Thursday’s semi-final before emerging with a bowl of odds win. On the other side if the draw, it is equally competitive. Earlier in the week, Eileen McCarthy came through against regional U18 champion, Abbey Caverley and will play Natalie Dempsey in the second semi.
Lauren McCarthy made her first foray in the county title-race a winning one playing a grand score at Ballinacurra, Upton, to deny a very good City champion, Carla Healy.
County Championships:
Ballinacurra, Upton: Girls U12 preliminary round, Lauren McCarthy (Carbery) won from Carla Healy (City).
Carbery Championships;
Leap: Junior ladies, Eileen McCarthy won from Abbey Caverley; Semi-final, Triona Murphy won from Shannon Ronan, one bowl.
Club:
Rosscarbery: Novice B, Darren Harrington defeated Garoid McCarthy, last shot, for €2,600; Martin Coughlan defeated Ger Shanahan, last shot for €1,500; Ian O’Sullivan defeated Kevin O’Reilly, last shot, for €1,200; Johnny O’Driscoll defeated Noel O’Regan, two bowls, for €8,500; Micheal O’Sullivan defeated Jim Coffey, one bowl, for €3,000; Muiris Buttimer defeated Ger D O’Driscoll, last shot, for €1,400; Mike Keohane defeated Adrian Wilmot, last shot, for €2,200.
Derrinasafa: Brian O’Driscoll defeated Michael Desmond, one bowl, for €800; Jimmy O’Brien defeated Anthony Lynch, last shot, for €6,000.
Courtmacsherry: James O’Donovan defeated Arthur McDonagh, two bowls for €20,000