Monageer edge tight final

THE DIVISION 1 and Division 2 horseshoe league finals were held simultaneously in Ferns on Saturday.

Division 1 was a real cliff-hanger. Tied after six games, it went to an extra three games, coming down to the final game in a 5-4 victory for Monageer over Vinegar Hill. There was a break after every three games.

Game one: Noel Redmond and William Redmond (Vinegar Hill) beat Michael Sunderland Snr. and Michael Sunderland Jnr. (Monageer), 21-11.

Game two: Brendan Earle and John Joe Byrne (Monageer) beat Nigel O’Toole and Paul Farnan (Vinegar Hill), 21-8.

Game three: Walter Christopher and Walter Dempsey (Monageer) beat Arty Roberts and John McKeown (Vinegar Hill), 21-6.

Game four: Willie Redmond and Pa Redmond (Vinegar Hill) beat Michael Sunderland Snr. and Michael Sunderland Jnr. (Monageer), 21-11.

Game five: Brendan Earle and John Joe Byrne (Monageer) beat Noel Redmond and Paul Farnan (Vinegar Hill), 21-16.

Game six: Arty Roberts and Nigel O’Toole (Vinegar Hill) beat Walter Christopher and Walter Dempsey (Monageer), 21-11.

Game seven: Noel Redmond and Paul Farnan (Vinegar Hill) beat Michael Sunderland Jnr. and Michael Sunderland Snr. (Monageer), 21-12.

Game eight: John Joe Byrne and Brendan Earle (Monageer) beat Wil- liam Redmond and Pa Redmond (Vinegar Hill), 21-10.

Game nine: Walter Christopher and Walter Dempsey (Monageer) beat Nigel O’Toole and Arty Roberts (Vinegar Hill), 21-11.

In a thrilling final that went all the way, it went back and forth a number of times, and a few different throws could have changed the game.

There was excellent throwing throughout.

Congratulations to Monageer on winning the title, with what is basically a brand new team after not competing last year.

With no substitutes, they all performed on the day.

Vinegar Hill were very unfortunate, and had some outstanding horseshoes.

It was a game in which neither side really deserved to be a loser. Paul Redmond was an unused substitute for Vinegar Hill.

Doran’s Bridge beat Monart 4-2 in the Division 2 final.

Game one: Mark Sludds and James Sludds (Monart) beat Harry Kinch and Gavin Collier (Doran’s Bridge), 21-11.

Game two: Richard Collier and Billy McGuire (Doran’s Bridge) beat Jim Sludds and Denis Larkin Snr. (Monart), 21-12.

Game three: Eddie Larkin and Denis Larkin Jnr. (Monart) beat John Doyle and Billy Cash (Doran’s Bridge), 21-19.

Game four: Richard Collier and Billy McGuire (Doran’s Bridge) beat Eddie Larkin and Denis Larkin Jnr. (Monart), 21-16.

Game five: Harry Kinch and Gavin Collier (Doran’s Bridge) beat James Sludds and Mark Sludds, replaced by Billy Larkin (Monart), 21-18.

Game six: John Doyle and Billy Cash (Doran’s Bridge) beat Denis Larkin Snr. and Jim Sludds (Monart), 21-5.

Congratulations to Doran’s Bridge who would have been pregame favourites.

They managed to eke out a victory against a dogged Monart who were close a couple of times to snatching a game and sending it to an additional three games.

Unused substitutes were Rhys Dunne and Devon Power (Monart), and John Doyle Jnr. (Doran’s Bridge).

Special thanks to Peter Doyle’s pub for the use of the premises and food for the trophy presentation after the league final.

A big thanks to the referees, Paddy Connors and Liam Bond for Division 1, and Seán Doyle and John Jackman for Division 2.

Thanks to John Doyle Snr. for having the league field in tip-top condition too.

We’d like to offer our deepest sympathies to Phil Mahon, and the Mahon family, on the death of Phil’s sister, Eileen. May she rest in peace.

Upcoming event: Sunday, October 16, league field in Ferns, 2.30 p.m., there will be a tournament for turkeys and chickens.