Armagh astound

The aim of the competition is to raise funds for charity and has become the prelude to the start of the IIBA inter-zone competition. Mid Ulster zone hosted the competition with last years inter-zone winners North West and semi-finalists Armagh making up the tri-angular tournament.

All three teams take the opportunity of using the competitive games to experiment giving new talent an opportunity to impress and also to try out new combinations prior to the heat and intensity of the inter-zone competition.

The reigning inter-zone champions commenced the tournament against Armagh but struggled in the early stages to find their form trailing by 22 shots at the mid point. They found new character last season during their winning campaign and put it to good use in the second half of the game as they battled their way back to within two shots. Their charge put Armagh on edge but Armagh managed to regain composure over the final ends to win by nine shots.

Mid Ulster who are struggling to recapture former glories opposed North West in the second game and with a match already under their belts North West took the early initiative making Mid Ulster fight for every shot. The hosts then found top gear and left their opponents trailing in their wake with the rink skipped by Liam McHugh coming away with the biggest rink win of the day. Mid Ulster impressively won five out of the six rinks and they now faced Armagh in the decider.

It was not a good day for the current inter-zone champions who will use this exercise to eradicate any complacency prior to their opening game in the inter-zone competition where they will be a much tougher opposition to beat.

Armagh were victorious in this charity tournament last season and they were not about to relinquish the title with a below par performance. They made the more promising start and went into an early eight shot lead. Every game sets up a different test as the previously victorious Liam McHugh’s rink found as they lost a count of seven yet fought back to finish level. The comeback was matched on the other rinks but Armagh held their nerve for the second game running to win a pulsating match by a solitary shot.

This result will give both teams confidence for the season ahead with the Mid Ulster performances giving their selectors headaches as a few of their regulars were unavailable.

The winners were the two nominated charities of Macmillan Cancer and BelfastHospital for Sick Children the recipients of a successful day which raised £1800 which will be added to proceeds from the ladies competition in the same venue on Saturday 11 October starting at 1pm.

Results

North West 46 Armagh 55; J McKay 5 v A Hughes 10, N Logue 6 v J Beattie 9, I Watson 8 v R Hunter 9, R O’Neill 10 v M Trainor 12, T McIntyre 9 v T Mulholland 8, L Harrison 8 v A Roberts 7.

North West 36 Mid Ulster 68; L Harrison 4 v D McElroy 10, K McCullagh 8 v L Conway 11, N Logue 6 v S Davidson 8, I Watson 2 v L McHugh 20, R O’Neill 8 v C McHugh 7, T McIntyre 8 v M Wilson 12.

Armagh 53 v Mid Ulster 52; A Roberts 8 v M Wilson 8, A Hughes 11 v D McElroy 8, J Beattie 11 v L Conway 6, D McDonald 5 v S Quinn 9, M Trainor 13 v L McHugh 13, T Mulholland 5 v C McHugh 8.