Our Annual Open Singles Tournament organised by Killanny Bowls Club, was held recently and attracted almost 150 entries from clubs as far away as Enniskillen to Newcastle. After some wonderful qualifying nights and some big names through we were expecting a high standard of bowling in the finals night.

The 12 qualifiers over the qualifying nights were as follows:

 

With 12 players back we needed 4 preliminary rounds.

Sean Hughes v Paul Duff, G Donnelly v Ivor Armstrong,
Connor Mackin v Aidan Corrigan, Gerard Mohan v Gareth McMahon.

 

Everybody expected that Connor and Aidan would be a very close game and probably the best of the preliminary rounds and they were not let down as Aidan won in an extra end after drawing 8-8 after 9 ends. Gareth ran away with his match winning 9-1. Ivor beat G Donnelly and Paul duff beat Sean Hughes with an end to spare.

 

Gareth McMahon v Aidan Corrigan, Ivor Armstrong v Paul Duff, Jason Hand v James Sweeny, Patsy Curran v Briege McAleer.
Gareth was playing magnificent bowls against the current skip of the National Rinks holders Aidan Corrigan. Eventually winning in the last end 8-5. Paul also continued his good form beating the ever consistent Ivor Armstrong 10-3 with an end to spare. Surprisingly James Sweeny beat Jason Hand 8-3. The victory wasn't that surprising as James is a very difficult oponet just the ease in which James won. The last match of the quarters saw Patsy knocking out Bridge 8-5.

 

Gareth McMahon v Paul Duff & Patsy Curran v James Sweeny

Gareth was again clicking into top form and beat Paul 8-2 with an end to spare. Gareth was giving an exhibition of bowls all night and on this form looked like an odds on favourite for the tournament. The other semi say Patsy 6-3 up with 2 ends left and then blew up losing 3 and a 2 to lose 8-6.

 

Final: Gareth McMahon v James Sweeney   Gareth had come through the much harder section but in a final that counts for nothing. Gareth began by winning the first 3 ends before James picked up his first 2 shots making the score 6-2. Gareth then continued his relentless pressure picking up two more singles to go to 6-2. James looked in serious danger of getting letting Gareth get to far ahead. James picked up 1 shot to close the gap to 8-3 but any chance of a comeback were ended when Gareth picked up counts of 1 and 3 to go 12-3 and with 2 ends to spare James conceded. Gareth had played some exceptional firing and drawing shots all night. Nobody could say he had an easy run after defeating Gerard Mohan, Aidan Corrigan, Paul Duff and James Sweeny. Gareth was then presented with the John McMahon Singles cup and in his speech he thanked the sponsors, the ladies for the tea and all his opponents throughout the tournament.

 

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