Ból Chumann’s team bowling play-offs for the 2022 season went ahead as scheduled at Castletownkenneigh on Sunday. On a blissful morning around Kenniegh round tower, eighteen teams of four participated for the Sliabh Ban shield with all regions represented including a worthy quartet from the Newcastle club in Dublin. Top-notch bowl-playing was evident on occasion with many defying their lower ranking when delivering shots of junior standard. Beating the novice line target in nine represented bowling of a high order and the top two teams achieved this with aplomb. Ardcahan from the West Cork division, were best and crucial to their win was a barnstorming performance from young Danny O’Donovan. Ably assisted by Brian and Colman Murray and Ian O’Sullivan their 9 shots plus 27 metres had them narrow victory over Cill na Martra who came close to emulating their regional counterparts, Clondrohid, last year’s winners. Youth helped here too with county U18 runner-up, Killian Kelleher in fine form. Shane Buttimer, John O’Driscoll and Henry Browne were excellent also in nine plus 11.4. Jagoe’s from Mid Cork took third (10 shots plus 85.6) with a trio of Declan and Ronan O’Donovan complimenting Fionn Dwyer. Narrowly out of the placings were Carbery representatives, Leap and Rosscarbery. Chairman Michael Brennan thanked all who took part and also those who helped ensure a smooth-running event. He paid special mention of Castletownkenneigh Bowling Club and John O’Callaghan in whose hostelry the presentation of prizes took place. In women’s intermediate, Lisa Hegarty opened her group B account with a narrow win over last years junior champion, Margaret Sexton. Their contest at Shannonvale was a nip and tuck affair with the Lyre lady taking in the last shot. Margaret has a chance to resurrect her challenge when she plays Chloe O’Halloran at Castletown.
The City division cancelled all their scores in deference to the passing of Liam O’Keefe. The South-West junior A championship had an exciting first rounder at The Pike. Denis O’Sullivan, up from junior B last year, just edged former winner Jimmy O’Driscoll by fifteen metres. A stakeless set-to had O’Sullivan with bullet-like speed, line two of the longest openers seen on the road for a while and they took him to a bowl of odds lead at the ‘lines’. O’Driscoll levelled by ‘Draper’s’ and took a valuable lead with a thundering fourteenth facing the line. With his championship hopes dangling by a thread, O’Sullivan produced a brilliant last shot that won the day.
In Mid Cork junior B at Newcestown, Noel O’Donovan got the better of Brendan O’Neill, last shot, for €1,200. In novice veteran in Mid Cork Deccie O’Mahony defeated Association chair, Michael Brennan, in the last shot at Templemartin. In the D championship at Ballinacurra, Upton, Tim Allen won from John Paul O’Driscoll, last shot, for €600; Kieran Kelly defeated Raymond O’Neill by a bowl for €400 and John Murphy defeated Shane Desmond, last shot. There was a double for the Kelleher’s in the Gaeltacht U18 championship at Inchigeelagh. Killian won his joust with Jack Lynch while Evan got the better of Sam Pickering after a cracking score. In championship action in West Cork, Drinagh’s ever reliable, Connie Connolly won his novice veteran first rounder at Kealkil against Michael Carroll. This was a good score that went to the last shot. In U18 Davin Ross won at Ardcahan against Eoin Hurley (Kilronan) and Kieran O’Driscoll got the verdict against Thomas Kingston at The Clubhouse. At Derrinasafa in U18, David Russell won from Eamonn Crowley. In North Cork novice D at Beal na Morrive John McSullivan had mere metres to spare on Liam McCarthy. At Kilcorney in D, Will Harrington defeated Keith Cullinane for €300.
In tournament action, at Grange on Sunday, Brian Wilmot emerged with another win. The recent Paddy Barry Cup winner at Rosscarbery added to his run with a bowl of odds victory over newly upgraded Tommy O’Sullivan. For a €10,640 total, Wilmot fired a crucial sixth and lofted perfectly with his eighth to rise his winning odds. Earlier in the day at Grange, a three-way tournament shoot-out involving Noel O’Regan, Noel Gould and Ger Connolly was won by Togher Cross player, O’Regan for a combined €6,600. Tim Young showed well in a tournament win at Ballinacurra, Upton over Denis Wilmot on Sunday morning and at Ardcahan in the rain on Saturday, Michael A Cronin got the verdict over Padraigh O’Callaghan. At Beal na Morrive in the Hancy Hubbard Cup quarterfinal on Saturday, John Shorten defeated David O’Mahony for a €900 stake.