Cork bowlers hit winning vein in All-Ireland finals
AMIDST competition at it keenest, Mid and North Cork clubs had reason to celebrate at the All Ireland Bowling Championship Finals hosted over the Tullysaran route in Armagh over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Rylane based John O’Rourke continues to grow in stature and added to his collection on rallying brilliantly to capture the Mens Junior title from Seán Donnelly of the host county.
At the outset, Donnelly drew a positive response, his greater fluency gained a grip. O’Rourke rallied to eat into the deficit, successfully gaining parity and forcing the lead. Again Donnelly replied yet O’Rourke’s self believe was unshakeable and his shooting matched it on jumping ahead.
The Ulster champion conjured up a number of comebacks in a saving exercise yet O’Rourke stood tall, confirmed on a series of brilliant bowls to savour All Ireland glory much to the delight of his supporters.
Cill na Martra’s Colm McLoughlin pressed home his dominance to claim a bowl of odds win over Ronan Toal in the u18 final. Toal held a slight edge in the opening exchanges and jumped into the lead.
The Gaeltacht player stormed back to erase the deficit, adopting a much more purposeful and assertive approach, McLoughlin delivered on excellent shooting. It still remained up for grabs, Toal kept in touch but as the tension and excitement mounted, McLoughlin smelled victory to finish on the ascendency and win on the last shot, the outcome thrille a big Mid Cork following.
Magnificent Jamie Kelleher was crowned All Ireland U14 winner, the Kilcorney representative powering past Neil Stevenson after an impressive performance. From a marvellous encounter adorned with excellent play by both provincial champions, the issue remained in the melting pot for a long stage.
Trailing early on, the North Cork champion’s response to the challenge was magnificent where Kelleher overcame a deficit and drove home his dominance during the latter stages to claim a decisive two bowl of odds triumph.