North Cork bowlers head north in search of All Ireland honours
Thursday July 29 2010
THE best of Cork bowlers challenge Ulster's top ratings in the All Ireland Road Bowling Championships this weekend on the Armagh staging over the famous Keady-Tassagh route.
Down for decision are the intermediate and Junior A Mens, senior ladies in addition to a number of underage titles. The Orchard county has become a cauldron for Munster representatives over the years and its goes without saying that the Cork hopefuls will have to be at their best to succeed.
Involving a number of North Cork contestants, at intermediate level, Paddy O'Donoughue comes up against Conor McGuigan. The Fermoy based O'Donoughue upset the formbook to better Seamus Sexton in the Munster Final hosted at Ballinacurrra on holding the necessary grit and determination to succeed.
In Ulster, McGuigan emerged as a surprise winner over last season's All Ireland runner up Martin Toal. Only his best will suffice if O'Donoughue is to repeat the success at Munster level.
Killian Kingston carries strong hopes in the Junior A decider against Fergal Donnelly. Kingston upstaged Brian Wilmott in the provincial final where Kingston belied his tender years to finish on the ascendency to snatch the outEvan Murphy representing Ballyclough club won the Munster U12 road bowling championship final in Clondrohid on Monday night come.
Carmel Ryan got the verdict over Juliette Murphy in the Munster Ladies senior final to book a place against Kelly Mallon in the national decider. Ryan seeks a third All-Ireland title while Mallon is no stranger to glory either thus this contest holds the potential of being a cracker.
At underage level, Eilis Murray of Togher Cross faces a tough assignment in Carly Grimley in the girls U18. Elsewhere Damien O'Gorman from Clonakilty participates in U14 level against Colm Rafferty.
Evan Murphy representing Ballyclogh competes at U-12 and faces David Devlin. That comes about fresh from a terrific Munster Final win for Evan over Mark Shanahan at Clondrohid on Monday evening. In doing so, young Evan collected a rare Munster title for Ballyclough club and carries the hopes of North Cork and Duhallow into the All Ireland series.
Action from North Cork saw Ger O'Connell from Bealnamorrive overcome Paul Burke on the last shot in the Novice C Final at Donoughmore. Elsewhere Sally's Cross Padraig Kelleher held on for a last shot win over Anthony Hubbard in the Novice D Final.
- John Tarrant
