Section A
Preliminary Rd
T.Vaughan Ballyshannon v A.Leckey St.Mark's
P.Prunty Glasslough v S.Cooke Cathedral Cork
B.McCabe Redeemer v A.McFarlane Mayne
S.McKinley Transport v J.Kennedy Largy
P.McNamara Spa GC v L.Murray St.Michael's
L.Hamilton Glendermott v G.Burke Wellington
Last year’s singles runner-up, Andrew Leckey was back to see if he could go one stage further having qualified from Armagh zone. His previous experience at this stage of the competition held him in good stead as he won the first seven ends before his opponent staged a fightback over the remaining ends. Andrew’s early lead enabled him to cross the finish line in front. A McFarlane also started well going into a seven shot to nil lead which set the foundation for his win as his opponent then won two consecutive ends but had to take more risks in chasing the game with a count of four against halting any dramatic comeback. 2005 singles winner S McKinley ditched the jack in the final end to win thru to the next round against the quiet but persistent J Kennedy.
Last 64
A.Leckey St.Mark's v P Prunty Glasslough
A.McFarlane Mayne v S McKinley Transport
AN Other v G Burke Wellington
P J Dolan Bohermeen v A.Tennant St.Colman's
A.Johnston DromoreNS v J.McOscar St.John's
A.Irwin Loughenreagh v S.Kyne Magherafelt Com
D.Crawford Ballylennon v N.Cox St.Joseph's
A.Roberts Queen St Meth v J.McMahon Carrickmacross
S.McLaughlin Quigley's Point v D.Tracy CICYMA Cork
M.Hand Corduff v G.Conroy Beragh
S.Mulholland St.Joseph's v E.Campbell All Saint's
G.Berry Drum v W.Elder 1st Limavady
G.Faulkner Blue Circle v G.Kelly Ballybrakes
R.Hunter Towers v M.O'Regan Conna Cork
Andrew Paul Fisherwick v C.Hogg Cookstown High
P.McGee Burton Point v R.Stubbs Ballinderry
Andrew Leckey had a closer game second time round sharing the ten ends but the five consecutive winning ends from the third to the seventh seen him through. Stevie McKinley continued his close encounters winning though in the final end for the second game running as his opponent dropped two bowls very short leaving himself too much to do with his final bowl which just cut away to leave Stevie with the necessary two shots. The most dramatic game was between D Crawford and Niall Cox. David was determined to make up for a disappointing showing in the fours and took the initiative leading by three shots going in to the final end. It looked as if David had secured the win with his last bowl but instead of resting on his opponents it clipped off the edge of a bowl went through a gap and out of the head. Niall had produced an excellent bowl just prior to this to give himself an outside chance which came to fruition. More bitter disappointment for Donegal Dave losing out in his first match of both competitions. For this calibre of player it is little consolation that it was a difficult task to get to this stage. Gerard Conroy previous winner of both the national fours and the national pairs was able to secure his passage through to the next round. Young Gary Kelly, more renowned for his exploits on the long carpet and outdoors conceded a three on his first end but won thru by one shot. An intriguing match was set up with Andrew Paul being drawn against C Hogg. Andrew now playing out of South Belfast formerly belonged to Mid Ulster zone where Colin plays out off. It did not live up to expectation as the senior man built upon an early lead keeping Andrew under constant pressure as Colin ran out the winner. Current national pairs champion R Stubbs was also in this section of the draw and he opened his account with a win that finally came over the last few ends. He was trailing 5-4 after six ends but then won the remaining ends to come out on the right side of a difficult opening tie.
Last 32
A Leckey v S McKinley
G Burke v A Tennant
A Johnston v S Kyne
N Cox v J McMahon
S McLaughlin v G Conroy
E Campbell v G Berry
G Kelly v R Hunter
C Hogg v R Stubbs
Top of the draw brought together last year’s runner-up, A Leckey, against 2005 singles champion S McKinley. Andrew may have learned his bowling in Armagh zone but over the last few years has honed his skills in East Antrim zone with Abbey Pres. Stevie being from East Antrim was familiar with his opponent and both have the same attacking tendencies. Stevie opened with a three in the first end but the game was a tight affair and after six ends both players were locked together on five shots each. Andrew then scored a one then a decisive three to open a gap that Stevie could not close over the last two ends as Andrew won by that elusive shot. The Wellington wizard, Gary Burke opened with a full house of four as he eased himself into the next round. Niall Cox could not set up the same dramatic ending in his second game as wily J McMahon pressured him from the off and was relentless over the ten ends. Gary Kelly had the opportunities to win the game against R Hunter but the Mid Antrim silver fox persevered and was rewarded with the win when he drew second shot with the final bowl to claim a one shot victory. Gary plays very little shortmat but no doubt would be a genuine force if he had the time to play more on the shortmat scene. Gerard Conroy kept his title aspirations alive with a comfortable win as did R Stubbs.
Last 16
A Leckey v G Burke
A Johnston v J McMahon
G Conroy v E Campbell
R Hunter v R Stubbs
Roy Hunter and Raymond Stubbs had a ding dong battle each winning five ends. After eight ends it looked as if Raymond had the edge as he lead 6-3 but old silver/white never gives up and scored the three shots required under immense pressure to take the game into an extra end. It was then target bowls to see who could secure the jack in the ditch first. Raymond won thru by the narrowest of margins as he drew the jack into the ditch and rested close to the jack for a nail biting victory, at times the margin between victory and defeat is miniscule. A couple of ‘names’ went out as J McMahon and E Campbell showed that they could hold their own in these latter stages of pretigious competitions. Andrew Leckey stepped on the gas as he went through the gears attacking the Wellington Wizard out of the game.
Last 8
A Leckey v J McMahon
E Campbell v R Stubbs
Andy secured his place in the semi-final after putting himself in prime position winning the first five ends to heap the pressure on wily J McMahon who prior to this encounter had all the answers required. He replied with two consecutive doubles but Andrew was able to close out the game over the next two ends. Facing him in the battle for a final slot would be Raymond Stubbs who went quietly about his business. He had a tussle with E Campbell and the closeness of the game is exemplified by the nine ends where only a single shot was scored by either player. Raymond did manage a double on the sixth end and also won the majority of ends although only scoring eight shots but restricted Eddie to three winning ends.
Semi-Final
A Leckey v R Stubbs
It was not to be a second consecutive final for Armagh Andy as Raymond ground his way to a win with a three on the fifth end being the turning point of the match. At this stage the players were locked together at two shots each and Raymond increased the pressure when he extended the lead to four shots with three ends to go. Andrew continued his attacking gameplan but on the day the risk and high reward policy did not pay full dividend.
Section B
Preliminary Rd
E.Hamilton Kinturk v J.Jacob Ramelton
N.Noble Wellington v J.Martin Conna Cork
M.Trainor St.Anthony's v J.Hand Corduff
P.McKiver St.Brigid's v Alan Paul Cookstown High
T.Morrison 1st Ahoghill v P.McKeown Greencastle Meth
M.Sproule St.Mary's v M.Virgo Cathedral Cork
PJ.McCrossan St.Patrick's v N.Logue Limavady C&RC
J.Cuthbert St.Mary's Bye
Last 64
J Jacob Ramelton v N Noble Wellington
M Trainor St.Anthony's v A Paul Cookstown High
T Morrison 1st Ahoghill v M.Sproule St.Mary's
P.J.McCrossan St.Patrick's v J Cuthbert Limavady C&RC
A.Gibson Downpatrick CC v C.Mulholland St.Joseph's
M.O'Looney Wellington v P.Campbell Conlig
B.Kane Ballybrakes v W.Snoody 1st Ballyeaston
B.Holmes Du Pont v F.McGonagle Gortahork
D.Carson Wellington v D.McMahon Carrickmacross
N.Conlon St.John's v M.McSkeane Clontibret
D.McElroy Cookstown Par v J.Kerr Ballylumford
J.Reid Towers v U.McKeeman Mosside
T McIntyre Drummond CC v J Emerson
P.O'Hanlon Cooley v G.Chambers St.Colman's
M.Cunningham Mayne v S.Winters Latton
C.Middleton Crosshaven v D.McClintock St.Johnston
Last 32
N Noble v A Paul
M Sproule v PJ McCrossan
C Mulholland v M O'Looney
B Kane v F McGonale
D McMahon v M McSkeane
D McElroy v U McKeeman
T McIntyre v G Chambers
M Cunningham v D McClintock
Last 16
A Paul v PJ McCrossan
M O'Looney v B Kane
M McSkeane v D McElroy
G Chambers v M Cunningham
Last 8
A Paul v B Kane
D McElroy v G Chambers
Semi-Final
A Paul v D McElroy
There were some renowned names in this section of the singles draw and many intriguing matches. Phelim McKiver the current over 55s champion was up against Alan Paul who lost the fours final last year and was single runner-up in 2006. The old warhorse is never easy to shake off but Alan was on his game and gave Phelim little opportunities as he got over what could have been a very tricky first hurdle.
Norman Noble has been in very good form over the past two years and was rewarded with call ups, first to Ireland ‘A’ then to the full international team in November 2007. Norman eased thru his first game winning four consecutive ends in the middle of the match to open a lead that he was able to sustain over the closing ends. He looked as if he had caused an upset when he led against Alan Paul by four shots with only two ends to go. This was a topsy turvy game as Norman fought back from an early deficit losing the first three ends to trail by four shots. He then won the next five ends but Alan with some excellent execution of attacking shots capitalised fully on the half chances that Norman left to win by one shot. Norman will rue losing five shots in the last two ends but will also appreciate that Alan had to perform to pull off this escape.
Marty Trainor, twice a winning skip of the national fours, was also in this section but he too succumbed to the all round game of Alan Paul and became his third victim.
2006 singles champion Mark O’Looney could possibly have had a repeat of that final with A Paul in the same half but that meeting was never to happen as Barry Kane, who qualified for the national pairs last season but was unable to play due to getting his first cap at international level for stadium bowls, fought back to claim the win. Mark will be bitterly disappointed as he opened a gap of three shots but then lost the last three ends.
Barry Kane had a comfortable win in his first game but had a fright in his second as he snatched victory from the jaws of defeat when he battled back against F McGonagle to claim a three and a two on the last two ends to force the game into an extra end. He came thru that and with two very close games was it possible that he would qualify for the final? It was a titanic struggle with Alan Paul in the quarter-final but a deficit of five shots in the first three ends proved insurmountable even though Alan had to win the last end to secure a two shot victory as the scores stood at 8-7 for Alan going into the final end.
PJ McCrossan would dearly love to add the national singles title to his three junior singles titles but he also became a victim of Alan Paul despite leading 6-5 after seven ends. A critical three put Alan in the lead which he did not relinquish winning the last end to make sure of victory.
Damien McElroy the current champion of champions pairs winner was also in this section and played exceedingly well overcoming U McKeeman by one shot, and the in-form Gary Chambers in the quarter-final on his way to four wins and a shoot out with zone colleague Alan Paul for a place in the final. Damien was disappointed that he was unable to repeat his earlier form for the full ten ends. Despite losing a count of four Damien only trailed 4-3 with four ends played but Alan then scored another four and three further consecutive ends to put the game beyond reach of Damien.
This will be Alan’s third consecutive national final having been runner-up in the fours in 2007 and the singles in 2006, he will be hoping that 2008 will be his year but he will fully appreciate the task ahead of him as he comes up against Raymond Stubbs another exceptional player who is familiar with appearances in national finals. | 
