Every year Oriel runs one tournament that guarantees an underdog will win a tournament. This tournament is called the "Tom Rooney" pairs, were if you have won a tournament in the last five years you must play with someone that hasn't won a tournament in that time. It also is a great fundraiser for a much needed cause the North East Hospice.

Before I make a start on the report I would like to take this time to discuss the late Tom Rooney himself. Tom was a gentleman of bowls, who never had a bad word to say about anyone. He was a member of Cullyhaana bowls club and played everywhere with his bowling partner Oliver Donaldson. He was also a very important part of the Oriel Zone Men’s team including the 2005 win. This is why the men’s team put up the prizes for this event.

 

For a change it was decided to play the tournament out in one day. This was held in the Phoenix centre in Carrickmacross on Sunday the 27th of December and even though it was freezing hard outside we still managed over 60 pairs. There were some fascinating matches held throughout the qualifying section including club mates Gareth McMahon, playing with girlfriend Tracey Martin beating John McMahon playing with John Maguire. Stephen McMahon playing with Mary O'Hare had a tight match with Michael Hand and Catherine Martin which Michael just squeezing through. Up until an hour before the tournament started Catherine wasn’t playing but, instead, she was about to go on the trip of her life! Anthony Reel had nobody when he arrived but ended up as one of the strongest pairs when he teamed up with Jason Hand and they began by beating Diarmuid McMahon and Gerry O'Hare. Kevin Conroy and Patricia Hanlon were also looking very impressive.

 

Just before the finals night started we had our Annual fund-raiser of closest to the ditch line competition with Kevin Conroy kindly sponsoring the prize. There was so much interest in this event that the finals night had to start before it was finished. However nobody was more interested the John Maguire from Meath Hill who had 10 goes and with his 2nd last bowl drew to within a centimetre to win. Michael Hand was 2nd and Catherine Martin was 3rd. This event rose close to €300.

 

After the qualifying session was taken down to the last eight, an open draw was made. Tracey Martin and Gareth McMahon were drawn against Anthony Reel and Jason Hand, Bridge Duffy and Imelda Hanratty were drawn against Patricia Hanlon and Kevin Conroy. Shane Hand and David Fox faced off against G Martin and Tommy Duffy from Ballybay and finally Catherine Martin and Michael Handcame up against John Rooney and John Rooney from Clontibret.

 

Anthony Reel & Jason Hand put away Gareth & Tracey with ease. Kevin & Patricia just about scraped by Imelda and Bridge. Michael & Catherine had a tough contest with Clontibret pair with the Corduff/Aclint pair winning and Catherine continuing her phenomenal run, however the closest game of the quarter-finals came between Shane & David and G Martin & Tommy Duffy. This was David’s first ever finals night and did extremely well only loosing by the odd shot.

 

The semi-finals saw. Kevin & Patricia surprisingly beat Anthony & Jason. The victory wasn’t that surprising but the manner of victory was, winning with two ends to spare. The other semi-final was much closer with Michael & Catherine. This match went one way and then the other with Michael taking a 5-0 lead but Tommy fighting back to force an extra end. His momentum couldn’t take him across the line however, with Michael taking the extra end. Wasn’t Catherine glad she didn’t decide to go shopping now?

 

The final between was between two zone skips and two newcomers to a final. It would probably come down to which lead played better. Patricia who was playing brilliant all day and definitely had the more experience playing under pressure, as she is a 3rd on the ladies team but a final can make even the best play differently, especially if its first final. Michael and Catherine started the better taking a 5-1 lead but Kevin fought back to 5-3 and was holding a count of 3 but Michael played and incredible fire to land two. Catherine was out leading Patricia who was struggling with the mat. Kevin was under serious pressure every end and eventually this pressure was too much with Michael and Catherine victorious with an end to spare. Catherine was overjoyed with her first ever win and now gets a chance to go on to the Champion of Champions for the first time also. While Patricia was clearly disappointed, later in the season she was part of the winning Cooley team that won the 10's league which definitely took the pain away.

 

After a great day for all we ended up raising €1,127 for the North East Hospice which will hopefully help their worthy cause.

 

Previous tournamnet reports

• Report on Redeemer Singles
• Report on Carrickmacross Singles
• Report on Whitecross Trips
• Report on Darver Pairs
• Report on Killanny Singles
• Report on Cooley Open Pairs Tournament
• Report on Geraldines Singles
• Report on Lordship Pairs
• Report on Kilkerley Trips

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