Mid Ulster Claim Title Number 9
Reigning champions Armagh took on a Mid Ulster side that included six players who were appearing in their tenth Inter-Zone final. It proved to be one of the most compelling finals ever.
Armagh had comfortably came through their half of the draw without being extended giving concerns as to whether or not they could reach the performance highs of last season when they lifted the trophy.
Mid Ulster on the other hand had steam-rollered their way through to the final including significant wins over title contenders North West and Oriel.
However a huge five week break between the semi finals and the final will have assisted Armagh and killed some of the momentum that Mid Ulster had built up.
On the day there were to be no worries about Armagh, they were the defending champions and like all good champions produce the goods when it matters most. Many teams would have succumbed to Mid Ulster who lead from start to finish but Armagh were not going to give the title away and battled for every shot and despite being ten shots adrift with only three ends remaining on each mat. They drew on all their experience and with Joe Beattie's rink on fire and leading from the front Armagh were staying in the game.
Marty Trainor was in excellent form assisting his side to draw level by winning the final three ends. Sean Quinn's rink had maintained an overall advantage for Mid Ulster through the Armagh fight back however Armagh took a single on this mat in the final end to level the game overall with only one end to play in the Beattie versus McElroy match. The pressure was firmly on Mid Ulster and the momentum with Armagh. Beattie's rink had arguably been the rink of the day as they stretched their lead to eight shots. Somehow having been out played the Mid Ulster rink held their composure and produced their best end of the day to lie three shots forcing Beattie to strike the head with his final delivery. As throughout the game he was accurate and sprung the jack back, the crowd went silent, each of the eight players on the mat held their breath, ultimately when the jack came to rest it was a Mid Ulster bowl that was closest.
What a game, it could not have been closer. A game played in great spirit by both sides, ecstasy and heartbreak in equal measures.
|
A Roberts |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
|
M Wilson |
0 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
8 |
8 |
|
D McDonald |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
7 |
|
D McStravock |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
|
A Leckey |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
A Paul |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
|
M Trainor |
0 |
2 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
|
C McHugh |
3 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
J Beattie |
0 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
11 |
14 |
14 |
|
D McElroy |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
|
A Hughes |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
|
S Quinn |
2 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
10 |
ARMAGH 48 versus MID ULSTER 49
| 
