Page 32 - Autumn 2017

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MENS CHAMPIONS ORIEL
MENS CHAMPIONS ORIEL

IIBA INTER ZONE CHAMPIONSHIPS
IIBA INTER ZONE CHAMPIONSHIPS
This season's inter zone finals were expected to produce a similar outcome to last season with
Oriel recovering from the 2016 defeat by Mid Ulster and Armagh retaining their Ladies titles. In
the case of Oriel, the outcome was no surprise but Armagh suffered a shock defeat to Foyle in the
ladies final.
The men's final featured Oriel and Donegal. Oriel were red hot favourites and it was only the
margin of victory which was in doubt. Along with Mid Ulster and North West they are the only zone
liable to win the men's title. Donegal were the strongest in a weak bottom half of the draw and
while they have some talented individuals they do not have the strength in depth to trouble any of
the 3 teams mentioned.
The final turned out to be the one sided affair many had feared. Oriel got off to such a start
that Donegal quickly became demoralised. Sean Trainor was 12 - 0 up against Lee Jacobs before
the Donegal skip got his first score on the 7th end. Trainor went on to win 15 - 6. Aidan Corrigan,
a new recruit from Armagh Zone had pretty much the same success over Jamie Glackin finding
his rink up 8 shots up after 6 ends running out a 17 - 9 winner.
The final first half game was much tighter with Oriel's Duff just squeezing Donegal's Marshall
by 1 shot , 6 - 5. With Oriel up 38 - 20 at the interval it was always going to be damage limitation
in the second half for Donegal and at least they produced a better performance after the interval.
Gerry McCabe was the only Oriel skip to find himself down early in his game, 7 - 1 to Michael
Gallagher after 5 ends and while he tried to get back, the rink was the weakest on the day losing
6 - 10.
The other 2 rinks produced winning performances. Paddy Hanlon came through 10 - 6
against Noel Alexander while the ever dominant Kevin Conroy defeated fellow international John
Quinn 13 - 3. Oriel regained the title 67 - 39 and now head off to Norfolk in December for the top
team event.
The Ladies final saw Armagh holders and 7 times winners play Foyle whose only win was
back in 1997. It was a game in which Armagh were clear favourites but the game was much tighter
than expected and the outcome a surprise to most observers. It seemed as if Foyle would have
to build up a first half lead with a very strong Armagh second half likely to dominate. Armagh made
the early running and just when it seemed as if they were going to pull away, Foyle managed to
pull shots out of the bag to keep within striking distance.