Report on Redeemer Singles Tournament

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Written by Dermie

Monday, 11 January 2010 01:32

16122009123

Redeemer Singles is one of the tournaments that all Oriel players strive to win. From the days of Kieran Campbell coming out victorious to later years were Paul Duff and Gerry Crosby were winners, one thing never changed, it was always one of the toughest finals night's to call and this was year was no exception.

Unfortunately the days of the players travelling long distances have passed with the exception of a few, even though clubs such as Redeemer, Cooley, Carrick and Louth are making great strides to have earlier finishes. Even without these players Redeemer had a mouth-watering finals night. With players such as the holder Paul Duff through, an in-form Kevin Conroy, Aidan Corrigan, Fra Dillon and Paddy Hanlon it was anyone’s guess who it take the cup home.

List of Qualifiers:

Kevin Conroy	Aidan Corrigan	Paddy Hanlon	Paul Duff
Fra Dillon	Michael Hand	Seamus Winters	C Valley
MJ O'Conner	Diarmuid McMahon	Billy Taaffe	Hughie McDonagh
Chris Trainor	Gerard Mohan	Sile Garvey	Michael Fitzsimons

1st Round:

The tie of the round was undoubtedly partners Kevin Conroy against Billy Taaffe. This was a close game the whole way until the 2nd last end were Kevin took a large count to finish the match. The battle of the one-legged men Diarmuid and Hughie was an extremely exciting tie. Hughie took an early lead but Diarmuid fought back and eventually won in an extra end. Local favourite Fra Dillon easily disposed of Seamus Winters. Michael Fitzsimons bet C Valley. Aidan Corrigan had a wonderful match with Gerard Mohan in which Aidian just scraped through in the end. Finally Michael Hand beat Christ Trainor by 3 shots and progressed. Paddy Hanlon had no trouble beating the only Lady left in the competition Sile Garvey. Paul Duff had a fierce contest with MJ O'Conner and eventually won in the last end by 1 shot and continued his quest to retain his crown.

Quarter-Finals:

Kevin Conroy continued were he left off racing into a 7-0 lead over Diarmuid but Diarmuid fought back and took the match to a tie 9-9. Kevin eventually sunk the jack to win. Fra was involved in an enthralling match involving Paddy Hanlon. Neither would give in and eventually Fra took the match 10-9. The match between Paul Duff and Michael Hand looked like an exciting game on paper but turned out to be anything but, with Paul hammering Michael, winning with an end to spare. Aidan Corrigan was also involved in a din-dong battle with Gerard Mohan and eventually took the tie in an extra end.

Semi-Finals:

Again Paul continued his sensational bowls this time easily beating Aidan Corrigan. Paul was playing bowls that you could only dream of and if he continued like that it would take an extremely gifted player just to keep a game close with him not alone beat him. Up stood Kevin Conroy. Kevin first though had to get over the hurdle of another close friend Fra Dillon. This game was close but Kevin always looked like he had the game under control

Final:

This match was like the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object. The crowd was split straight down the middle in who would win. If it interests anyone I picked Kevin. Was this the kiss of death? The game began with both players playing wonderful bowls. Paul would get 1 and Kevin would return and get 1 back. This game was touch bowls at its best. I never heard a quieter final, as the crowd was so enthralled in the match. Paul was ahead but Kevin never let it get to far and in the second last end with Kevin 7-5 down and lying 1 had a chance for 4 shots but shockingly hit the stick. This left the game 7-6 last end. Kevin never had the lead in the whole match could he do it when it counted. Kevin played a wonderful end of bowls but Paul was good to the challenge and fired into the head to burn the jack. Paul regained his composure to play a great end and when Kevin’s last bowl sailed by the jack he knew that Redeemer singles title was returning to Louth.

It was a privilege to watch our only 2 internationals playing at the peak of their game and the only thing I am grateful for was to be there to watch it.

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