Challengers at the Ready

The mens inter-zone competition commences in earnest, the preparation is complete and nothing but a win will set up the rest of the season. It may only be November but there are some top teams who will be on the receiving end of a major disappointment. The centre of the draw is full of quality giving the other teams in the remaining quarters an opportunity to progress that has not been available for a number of years, which of the smaller zones can step up and accept the challenge that lies before them?

Top of the tree and hoping to repeat last season’s success is North West who travel to Northern hoping that lightening will not strike twice within a week in the same hall. Last week their ladies lost to the same opposition in a nail biting finish but the reigning champions will be expecting to continue their good form from their winning season and not revert back to the disappointing days of under achievement. North West selectors stumbled upon the right combinations especially at the front ends and they will be hoping that they have as much good fortune this year as they attempt to retain the trophy, a feat that proves harder than winning the trophy. North West should have dominated this competition over the past few years but now they have finally got over their nemesis they could be setting the standard for the next few seasons. Northern are a talented group but do not have the strength in depth and should not pose a major obstacle if the visitors hit near top form. However over the past few seasons all the shocks have occurred with the early elimination of the holders in both the mens and womens competitions.

Potentially the match of the round: Armagh is at home to Western. The home side had a great opportunity to progress to the final earlier in the year but lost out more by decision making rather than bad execution. They will be expecting to learn from this experience and concentrate more on the overall status of the game rather than individual rink aspirations. They have a re-structured team and many insiders already believe they have a better side than last season. Armagh has brought in a blast from the past with the arrival in their zone of Kevin McConville and if he hits 50% of his previous reputation then he will be an asset. Obviously he is in excellent form to have been considered and to have broken into this Armagh team, it may be only a matter of time before he is being considered for a skipping berth. Another positive step has been moving the talented Andrew Leckey to skip to give him full the full reins of his own rink. Andrew has been arguable the top performer for Armagh over the past few seasons.

A problem for Armagh could be their internal differences and whether or not the team can find that team spirit that is so essential to lift the trophy. Going by a few of their personnel who are not in their team this is a strong team. One huge surprise omission is Paul Corvan who was in tremendous individual form when skipping his triple to the national title in 2007. Another negative point for Armagh is that they seem to be relying players who have played for other zones in the past rather than looking forward and building by introducing some of their talented youngsters. This may be a quick fix method that ultimately could cost the zone domination in the future.

Their opponents Western had the cavalry coming to their rescue in some games last season but in a few very disappointing performances they let the cowboys run amok. The comparison between the two teams could not be more extreme. Armagh despite a successful competition have set out to improve their team and have made some difficult decisions that should prove beneficial for the zone, meanwhile Western rested on their laurels last season without making the changes that were necessary to move forward. This indecision has left them trailing in the wake of some top teams and was also the sole contributing factor in such a fall from grace as they lost to both Foyle and Monaghan. Western is a strong unit and can trouble any side but for them to be effective they require some brave re-structuring.

Western has some top class skips with the evergreen Jude Morris as enthusiastic as ever but they need to get the right combinations at the back end and pick the right time for the young players like M McCabe and A Graham to be given the opportunity at skip. Timing is everything and some fresh blood at skip perhaps should have come last season in the shield. The fact that the selectors did not take the difficult decisions last season means that their progress could be a year behind other sides. They also need some fresh faces at lead and second where inconsistency is now a cause for concern. Basically they have a competitive squad and if the right combinations and chemistry can be found then they could mount a serious challenge.

The top quarter of the draw gives all the teams an excellent opportunity to string some wins together and build confidence for the latter rounds. Oriel are favourites to overcome Larne with both teams in a transitional period trying out new combinations in the expectation that they will be better prepared within a couple of years to mount a reasonable challenge. As with many zones Larne can put in a reasonable performance but then self destruct over a short number of ends. A positive sign for the home side would be for them to play as a united team for the full period of ends and set a foundation for them to build upon. Whichever team progresses should gain confidence and be able to push towards a quarter final spot. Oriel are keeping their team extremely close to their chest in the hope that eagerness to impress will bring out the best in what will be a young side. They are using this game as a building block and the tactic of releasing the team at the last minute may prove a master stroke by keeping the side keen and bring out a much under-rated togetherness.

Their opposition in the second round will be either Meath or East Antrim. Meath have not won a game in this competition and will not have a better chance of breaking their duck. On the other hand East Antrim has every thing to lose as they are expected to win. A loss would be the lowest point in their history but if they keep focussed then they could make it a successful season with a golden opportunity being in a favourable quarter of the draw.

Mid Ulster are still striving to return to former glories but this year they have taken steps in the right direction by making significant changes which they so stubbornly refused to do over the past few seasons. They travel to Mid Down who can cause a surprise on their day but are not equipped to provide a realistic challenge for the title. This game will be an indication of whether or not the changes will have an immediate impact or if they will have to persist with a period of transition. Their new team will need time to settle but their selectors could at last be taking forward steps instead of crabbing sideways or even backwards

South Tyrone had an easy start to their campaign last season and will be expecting to take full advantage of their opening round draw despite it being away in South Belfast.  The home side are not the strongest but they can still cause a few problems for the visitors on the odd rink. Although South Belfast can still produce a team this could be their final season in the competition depending on the outcome of a consultation process which should have already been completed with the clubs. The fact that this consultation process for the possible amalgamation of South and East Belfast is behind schedule gives the clubs and the zone team an opportunity to assess whether or not they would prefer to be in a division with other teams of a similar competitive standard rather than see the demise of a full zone team.

South Down versus Mid Tyrone encounter should be a close affair. The Tyrone men will be expecting to progress but they can be slow starters and complacent in their opening game. If they go in less than fully prepared then South Down has the squad to cause an upset.

West Down has been the runners-up in this competition for the past two years and it is possible that their best chance to lift the trophy has passed them by. They are in a tough part of the draw with some very steady if unspectacular teams. The homesters should prove too strong for fanciful Foyle who caused a large shock in the first game last season but who will require the home side to be well under power if they are to run them close. Current champion of champions singles holder Eddie Curran will be hoping that his good form can continue and inspire his colleagues to another surprise win. Adam Barr is expected to be missing for the home side which should ensure that DJ Wilson takes his rightful place at skip. The problem is that he is often the calming influence keeping his usual skip in check and moving to skip unbalances the team. West Down are a competent squad and have arguably over achieved the past two seasons but they have at last lost their individuality and now perform as a team unit which has been the main factor in their success, they do require more competition for places to push them on to the next level.