Armagh lose title in a thrilling finish to final

HOLDERS Armagh lost their Irish Inter-Zone Championship title in a thrilling finish to the final at Dungannon last Saturday afternoon.

With one rink drawing and two losing Armagh were staring defeat in the face as they trailed 25-20 at the half way stage.

But in the second half the rinks under skips Martin Trainor, Joe Beattie and Andrew Hughes made a great fightback so that Armagh were just two shots behind, 48-46, with two ends remaining.

Martin Trainor and Andrew Hughes picked up the two shots to tie the scores at 48-48 with the other rink, under skip Joe Beattie, still playing their last end.

The Mid-Ulster rink under skip Damien McIlroy were lying two shots for victory and although Joe Beattie hit the head it still left a match winning bowl in favour of the Mid-Ulster side.

On mat one for Armagh Alan Roberts, Gary Culbert, Kierain Trainor and Jal Richardson drew 8-8 with skip Mark Wilson.

Danny McDonald, Sean Conroy Snr, Nigel uprichard and George Crothers on two were just edged out, 8-7, by skip Danny McStravick.

Andrew Leckey, Paul Moore, Cyril Leckey and Colin Deering on three for Armagh lost 9-5 to skip Alan Paul.

On four for Armagh skip Martin Trainor, Derek Wright, Paul Whittle and Ian Irwin had an outstanding finish to win 10-7 against skip Colm McHugh.

Joe Beattie, Sean Conroy Jnr, Laurence McCarten and David Beattie on five nearly clinched their overall win after a fine 14-7 victory.

Andrew Hughes, Ian Perry, Raymond Hunter and Jack Moffett on six picked up vital shots despite going down 10-4 to skip Sean Quinn.