Page 46 - Winter 2019 2020 FINAL_Neat

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IRISH CHAMPION
IRISH CHAMPION
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OF CHAMPIONS
OF CHAMPIONS
The Champion of Champions to qualify for the 2020
World Championships proved again to be an out-
standing success. The singles competition produced
more very close games than usual with only one shot
deciding many games. The quarter finals saw Paul
Duff coming through12-11, Derek McClintock winning
6-5, while Alistair Steele and Alan McCombe had
more comfortable wins.
In the semi-finals Paul Duff had a 9 -6 win over
McClintock while Steele won 9 – 6 against McCombe.
The final was closely contested with the lead chang-
Singles Finalist Paul Duff
and Winner Alistair Stee ing virtually every end and was only decided in Alistair
Steele’s favour on the last bowl.
The pairs, as usual had the highest number of entries.
In section A Alan Johnston had a 13-9 win in the quarter
final along with Sean Conroy. In the semi-final Johnston
defeated Conroy 9-5. In section B Colum McHugh and
Brain Rankin came through to the section final with 13-
7 and 10-1 wins respectively.
The section final went to the last bowl with Rankin
winning 10-9. In the overall final it was Johnston who
proved the better on the day to book his world bowls
place.
In the triples, it proved a dilemma for Joe Beattie.
Joe had already qualified for one of the 2 singles places
from last season and in winning the triples had to decide
which competition he would opt for. In the end, not surpris- Pairs Champions David Turtle
ingly he decided to play the world bowls singles. and Alan Johnston
It was a high-quality semi-final with Joe proving too good for Ronnie Stubbs and Johnnie
Wilson winning by 1 shot against Philip McKeown. In the final the experience Beattie triple had
the upper hand winning 10-4.
The rinks also produced a high quality competition. Nial Hand proved too good for Mark
Wilson , who is now off to the outdoor championships in Australia, John Quinn, winner of nu-
merous Irish titles, Andrew Leckey already through to the British Isles Championships and re

Triples Champions Cecil Dillon, Rinks Champions Jason Hand, Michael Hand,
Pauline and Joe Beattie Nial Hand, Shane Hand