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MID ULSTER OVERWHELM ORIEL
In the most eagerly awaited semi final of the IIBA inter zone competition for several years, Mid Ulster entertained Oriel. Oriel on recent form were favoured by many to repeat their wins on the two previous occasions the sides have met and even more so after the performance they put up against Mid Ulster last season. However, those closer, to the team were convinced that they could continue on their winning streak. In the previous games against Donegal, East Antrim and North West, Mid Ulster had run out very comfortable winners by some 30 shots in each game without the team hitting top form. Few would have expected a similar outcome on Saturday but that is exactly what happened leaving both the Oriel team and the large crowd who attended stunned. The Mid Ulster side totally outclassed their opponents who have never suffered such a heavy defeat. The team have always had the potential to reclaim the Boomer Cup and perhaps should have done so in recent years but it is the renewed Mid Ulster team spirit which has returned, something which saw them dominate men’s bowls for so many years.
The first half of any game is crucial. A lead gives the second half something to build on while a deficit can be difficult to claw back. Those playing in the first half again did not disappoint. On mat 1, Mark Wilson, Trevor Turkington, sean Davidson and Damien Grimes were in total control against Billy Taffe, to such an extent that the Oriel rink did not register a score until the 7th end when the home rink led 9 – 0, a score which could have been much greater with Taffe having to burn ends with 4’s and 5’s against him. In the end the home rink came out 14 – 3 up. On mat 2, Danny McStravock, Tommy Johnson, Clark Hill and Seamus McGlinchey returned to form in their game with Michael Hand. This game was closer that that on mat 1 but the home rink controlled the game and were never behind as they came out 8 – 5 up. On mat 3, the game looked bleaker for the home rink of Alan Paul, Glen Smith, Chris McKnight and Joe Martin who could not get into the game for the first 6 ends largely due to excellent bowling by Oriel skip Stephen McMahon. The home side were 7 – 0 down after 6 ends but again showing great spirit and grit they pulled themselves back into the game picking up 7 shots against 1 over the last 4 ends and indeed could well have won the game. Mid Ulster led by 13 at the interval.
It was clear that the first few ends of the second half would be crucial and if Oriel were going to get back into the game they needed to score quickly across the mats. On mat 3 Oriel skip Gerry McCabe picked up a 3 against Sean Quinn, Liam Conway, Anthony Bradley and Damien McAllister and Kevin Conroy picked up 1 against Colm McHugh, Dane Jordan, Brendan Kyne and Gary Merron with the home rink of Damian McElroy, Liam McHugh, Seamus Kyne and Colin Hogg registering a single again John Murnahan. The lead was cut to 10.That was as close as Oriel got. On mat 2, McElroy’s rink picked up a 5 on the second end, Quinn’s rink picked up 1 and McHugh’s picked up 2 to suddenly move the lead to 20 shots. Quinn’s rink picked up a 4 in the 4th end, McHugh’s a 5 in the 4th end and McElroy’s a 3 in the 5th. The result was now beyond doubt with Oriel when they did score rarely gaining more than a single shot. With the deficit at 30 shots, Oriel chose to concede the game with Quinn’s rink leading 9 – 6 after 9 ends, McElroy’s leading 13 – 4 after 8 ends and McHugh’s leading 9 – 4 after 8ends.
This win sets Mid Ulster up for a final clash with current holders Armagh in Dungannon on Saturday 27 February, their first final since 2003. While the team has now gelled much better after all the changes made and while team spirit now rivals that of the glory years, they will take nothing for granted against Armagh. It is a new game at a new venue but if they can repeat the form of the last couple of games Mid Ulster have a very good chance of reclaiming the inter zone title.
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Results
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M Wilson
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14
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B Taffe
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3
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D McStravock
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8
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M Hand
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5
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A Paul
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7
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S McMahon
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8
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C McHugh
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9
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K Conroy
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4
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D McElroy
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13
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J Murnahan
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4
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S Quinn
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9
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G McCabe
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6
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