Oriel Zone | Honours

The Oriel Zone was founded in 1995 after splitting from the Monaghan Zone. This included clubs from South Monaghan, Louth, Cavan, and South Armagh. After an unsuccessful start to the zone, Oriel soon began its campaign to become one of the most successful zones in I.I.B.A. history.

Gerry McCabe began our rise to fame by becoming the first person to reach the National finals losing in the final of the National Juniors. However while success in the nationals didn't come until 2002 we had a few other close encounters.

In 1998 Diarmuid McMahon joined Gerry McCabe’s exploits in losing in the final of the juniors and in that year Hughie McDonough from Redeemer was also just beaten in the final of the trips.

In 1999 Kevin due to his heroics in the Nationals was selected for the Irish “A” Series. Here he played an integral part in bringing home victory. The following year Kevin again proved to everyone that he is one of the best in Ireland by being selected second for the full team. Over the years Kevin slowly moved up the ladder and eventually in 2006 was selected as skip for his country. While Kevin has to date been the only person to be selected there have been a few others been selected for the "A" Series including Jim Fox, Sean Conroy, Diarmuid McMahon and Paul Duff.

While success didn't come in the nationals until 2002, it was in the following year in the Champion of Champions that success finally arrived. Hughie McDonough's trip including Kevin Conroy and Gerry Crosby (who were so close to winning the national trips) went on to win the CoC trips. This entitled them to a trip to the World Championships in the Isle of Man in 2000. This world championship would go down in history as the first time a team from the Republic would become World Champions and Hughie has no problem in reminding people this.

In 2002 Diarmuid Brendan and Jimmy reached the final of the national trips against Paul Reid. Unfortunately Jimmy took ill before the final and Patsy Martin replaced him. This was finally to Oriel’s time in the sun in the National’s as not only did they win the National trips but Conor Mackin also claimed victory in the National Juniors by winning in one of the largest score lines ever in the finals. The junior’s also claimed their first of three consecutive Junior Zone titles. While this success was incredible it was also a stepping stone for a lot of the team to get onto the men’s team.In 2002 Diarmuid’s trip went onto to come second in the British Isles. Also in that year Diarmuid went onto reach the final of the CoC trips just missing out on the illustrious double. Kevin however wasn't so unlucky when he went onto win the CoC singles. This would again entitle him to try winning the World’s once again.

 

 

But the 2003/2004 season would end up to be one of the most successful seasons of all time for Oriel. Diarmuid followed Kevin into the World singles when he won the CoC singles. This was to be the first time that any zone had the two Irish singles players in the worlds. Kevin however was not finished and ended up winning the CoC pairs with Fra Dillon, a fantastic double on the day. Kevin also went on to win the National Singles that year beating Brendan McGuiness in the final. Unfortunately in the worlds we only came back with two runner-up spots with Kevin finishing second in the singles and Fra in the pairs.

 

While success in the CoC’s and nationals was fantastic the Oriel’s men’s team also wanted to join in this success. In 2004 Oriel went onto to reach the final eventually loosing in the final to Armagh. The following year in 2005 Oriel finally after 10 years claimed this illustrious prize. They did this the hard way however by beating Mid Ulster Armagh and in one of the closest finals of all time beat Mid Tyrone.This victory entitled the men to go onto England and win the Team Challenge.

In 2006 Billy Taaffe reached the final of the Champion of Champions rinks eventually loosing to Colm McHugh in a close encounter.

This year we had our first success in the ladies nationals with Carol McMahon playing with Imelda Hanratty, Mae Flanagan and Andrea Flanagan winning the much coveted Ladies Rinks Title by beating such rinks as Joanne McIntye and Pauline Castles on the way. Could this win move forward the Women's Game which had become stagnated over the previous years, only winning the plate in 2000. The answer was a resounding yes.

The Oriel ladies began their bid in 2006/2007 for their first cup win by disposing of South Tyrone. They also put out Foyle in Derry in the semis. The team was trying to emulate the mens success and that they did by beating East Antrim by a 30 shot margin in the final.

The men also won the plate that year. In 2007 Paul Duff was selected for the "A" Series,

The 2008/2009 season was one of our most successful seasons with Paul Duff, Gerry McCabe and Fra Dillon selected for the "A" Series.  Gerry and Fra took home individual glory while Gerry and Paul were involved in the team success. Gerry was arguably the player of the series.

 

Gerry McCabe had a fantastic National Series that year in winning the National Singles by beating Liam McHugh in the final and getting to the final of the National Rinks with Billy Taaffe, Fra Dillon and Gerry Crosby losing to Aidan corrigan in the final It capped of a remarkable year for Gerry.

The 2009/2010 season began with Paul duff being the second player from Oriel Zone selected for the full international series.

While we are one of the youngest zones we have an illustrious history and hopefully over the next few years can only improve.   Oriel is now the first ever zone to win both plate competitions both cups and the juniors.