INDOOR BOWLS

Kildare West Wicklow Indoor Bowling Association (KWWIBA)

Mixed fortunes for Caragh in Tournament Finals: The Rathcoffey annual bowling tournament’s popularity has certainly not waned any as it continued to attract up to forty teams equalling last year’s entry level.

Run from Wednesday to Saturday, August 22 to 25, inclusive in the Rathcoffey GAA Hall, it was a hectic schedule for both players and organisers alike in such a tight timeframe.

But as usual a very dedicated committee and volunteers in the club ran it with the highest of efficiency.

With plenty of spectators turning up it made for a very exciting competition.

Semi-Finals: In the Cup semi-final Caragh 2 shocked the hot favourites Baltinglass/Kiltegan, the holders, to deservingly make it to the final, while Rathmore saw off the Allen challenge.

In the Shield semi-final, Kill CBC saw of the Ardclough challenge in emphatic fashion, while Caragh 3 defeated Donard/Glen.

Impressive Display: Cup Final: Caragh 2 v Rathmore. Caragh were installed as the favourites in this clash after knocking out the hotly fancied Baltinglass/Kiltegan side. Rathmore on the other hand may not have been the favourites but had shown very impressive form throughout this tournament.

The game was a very tight affair and hard fought up to a little over the halfway mark, but from thereon the Caragh side gradually took over to ease their way over the line and become Cup champions after a very impressive display.

Caragh: Rita O’Rourke, Theresa Dolly, Dom Kavanagh and Pat Dolly.

Rathmore: Joe Waters, Rupert Hayden, Tom Ryan and Tony Fitzpatrick.

Kill CBC Canter to Victory: Caragh 3 and Kill CBC contested this Shield final, which was expected to be a close battle.

But unfortunately, it never really caught fire, as Caragh never got going at all. It is a rare occasion for a Caragh team not to perform but like all teams sometimes it can happen. Under those circumstances it was just an easy canter to victory for Kill CBC.

After losing the final in the Kildare tournament this will make up for the disappointment on that occasion for the Kill CBC side.

Kill CBC: Martin Whelan, Eddie Burke, Alan Farrell and Donal Burke.

Caragh 3: Nora Tierney, Breff O’Rourke, Pat O’Driscoll and John Joe Byrne.

Well done to the Rathcoffey Bowling Club for a wonderful and well organised tournament.