Caragh retain KWWIBA Cup in thrilling encounter

         Kildare West Wicklow Indoor Bowling Association (KWWIBA)

Sunday 15^th November saw the conclusion of the Club Championships in Rathcoffey GAA Hall. In this Cup final, Caragh winners of this competition last year, and at present are topping the table of this year’s division 1 league were pitted against the Hollywood club who are also top of the table in the division 2 league. As both teams were in very good form throughout this championship it was always expected that this would be a close encounter. Mat 1: turned out to be a real thriller, with neither side dominating matters at any time. With the scoring very close all the through. On the 14^th end the scores were actually level. But on the 15^th and final end Hollywood picked up three scores, to win this mat on a score 15/12. Hollywood: Mick Daly, Tony Hogan, Tommy Richardson, Tomás Richardson and sub Rita Flanagan. Caragh: Nora Tierney, Dom Kavanagh, Denis Judge and John Murphy. Mat 2: again there was very little between the sides throughout, with two very evenly matched teams. Indeed the sides were level on the 11^th end with Hollywood scoring three on the 12^th end to take the lead at a critical time in the game and one felt that they were in a good position to hold on to their lead. On the next end things took a turn for the worst, when disaster struck for Hollywood, a few unforced errors gave the Caragh side a score of six to put them into a three-point lead. But Hollywood scored one on the next end to really put the game in the melting pot with one end still to play. But Caragh finished off the game by scoring 1 to finish up on a score of 16/13. Caragh: Sadie Kavanagh, John O’Toole, Martin Lynch and John Joe Byrne. Hollywood: Brid Burke, Peter Byrne, Padraic Metcalfe and Tom Burke. Mat 3: It is hard to explain what went wrong with the Hollywood team on this one. With almost two thirds of the game gone the Caragh side were leading by a whopping 13 points. It looked like the Hollywood team just hadn’t turned up at all. To all onlookers it felt it was game over. Suddenly, Hollywood started to play with the skill and determination we all know they are capable of playing. Caragh were held to just one score on the last six ends, while Hollywood piling on the scores they reduced the margin down to 5. It was a tremendous comeback with so little time left. One is left wondering if they started playing a little bit sooner what the outcome would have been. But overall Caragh deserved their victory. Winning this mat on a score of 19/14. So the Caragh club make it two in a row, winning on the aggregate score of 47/42 Caragh: Christy McDonald, Phil Ryan, Noel Byrne and Timmy Wright. Hollywood: Carmel Tutty, Geraldine Malone, Jason Hand and Kevin Daly. Best for Caragh were Denis Judge, Dom Kavanagh, Sadie Kavanagh, John Joe Byrne, Noel Byrne and Timmy Wright. While best for Hollywood were Padraic Metcalfe, Tom Burke, Tommy Richardson, Tomás Richardson, Gerardine Malone and Kevin Daly.

Shield Final

Mat 1: Kildare were the masters, leading from start to finish against last year’s winners Kill CBC in this competition, they never looked in danger of being overhauled, albeit only winning by 3 at the end, on a score of 17/14. Kildare: Pat Baker, Tommy Martin, Anne Gleeson and John Gleeson. Kill CBC: Frank Connolly, Martin Walsh, Declan O’Connell and Johnny Flynn. Mat 2: There was no doubt about who would be the winners on this one after the 5^th end, as Kildare were in cruise control from there until the finish. Kildare: Una Downey, Billy McGrath, Richard Baker, Fintan Downey and sub Paula Caldwell. Kill CBC: Zelda Walsh, Phyllis Burke, Pat Keenan and Josie Garvey.   Mat 3: Revenge for Kill CBC on this mat, the nearest Kildare came to their opponents was to draw level on the 3^rd end. For the remainder of the game it was Kill CBC that dictated matters from there to the finish. Winning on a score of 16/10. Overall Kildare are worthy winners on the aggregate score of 44 /40.   Kildare: Margaret Gorry, Mick Kearin, Eddie Heffernan, Mark Caldwell and sub Mick Finn. Kill CBC: Charlie Dunny, John Dunne, Peggy Hayes and Donal Burke. A great occasion with very little between the teams at the finish in both finals. Well done to all participants. Best for Kildare were Pat Baker, John Gleeson, Fintan Downey, Richie Baker, Mark Caldwell and Margaret Gorry. Best for Kill CBC: Frank Connelly, Johnny Flynn, Phyllis Burke, Josie Garvey, Peggy Hayes and Donal Burke.             Recent League results (home team first) Div. 1: Allen 3 Kildare 2, Kill CBC 5 Baltinglass 0, Brownstown 5 Coill Dubh 0 Div. 2: Prosperous 2 Ryston 3 Div. 3: Ballymore 2 Balyna 3 Ned Byrne Shield: Allenwood 5 Rathmore 0