Veterans clinch Town & Country title in final week

In one of the most open league contests in years it was the Veterans who proved to have the edge on their challengers and league success was wrapped up on the final game of the season against Halfway House B with a 4-1 victory, giving the Randalstown team a league and cup double in only their first season together.

Wins on the night for Jason begs, Frankie Brammeld Nigel Murray and Seamus Birt were enough to secure victory and the title.

The Veterans, however, had missed their chance earlier in the week to clinch the title when Lurig A made the visit to Randalstown in a game the Cushendall team also needed to win to be sure at least of the runners up berth.

Also to be contested on the night was the player of the year prize where Veterans' league individuals champion Frankie Brammeld would be aiming to cap a terrific year with the Player of the Year prize.

Sanding in his way though was Declan Birt who also had a terrific season, dropping only a handful of games throughout the year.

The Veterans got the first points of the night on the board with Jason Beggs defeating Paddy McAteer on a narrow 2-1 scoreline with Beggs' final black coming off four cushions before ending up in the pocket.

Next up was the contest between Frankie Brammeld and Lurig’s Declan Birt. In truth, the game was a long way short of its billing and Birt made light work of Brammeld running out a comfortable 2-0 winner.

With an very under strength Veterans side, Lurig took full advantage and the next two games went the way of the Lurig with John McKilliop and Benny Birt running out 2-0 winners over Seamus Birt and Nigel Murray respectively. In the final game of the night Derek Lee defeated Michael Birt 2-1 to see the veterans take another point but the Lurig running out 3-2 winners.

The 3-2 victory for Lurig made it a straight fight between Lurig and Glencloy Inn for the runners up spot with both teams now equal on points.

Lurig’s final game was in the form of Halfway A whom the Cushendall team had no problem in whitewashing 5-0.

Lurig, however, have Black Bull’s Terry Robb to thank for taking a point in their game with Glencloy Inn, this dropped point for Glencloy, gave Lurig a one point advantage and insured them 2nd place.

Other matches on the last night included BUSC’s 4-1 win over Glencloy Elite, with Mary Joe McCourt's win over Linzi McClelland averting the whitewash for the Glencloy team.

Finally, McAuley's rounded off the season with another win this time against Greenhills it was however not enough to see them overtake their rivals Glencloy inn with McAuleys settling for fourth position in their first year in the league.

RESULTS

BUSC 4, Glencloy Elite 1: M Scullion 2, A Abram 1; S Clarke 2, J Abram 1; L McClelland 0, M J McCourt 2; J Knowles 2, J Mellon 0; S Scullion 2, J McLoughlin 0; Sportspersons - Mary Joe McCourt/Martin Scullion.

Lurig B 5, Social Chronics 0: Lurig B 3, Black Bull 2; T Crawley 2, TA Percy 0; M Crawley 1, B Byrne 2; L Cooper 2, P Bloomer 0; F McAteer 0, T Robb 2; G Shannon 2, N Percy 0.

Glencloy Elite 5, Social Chronics 0.

Halfway House A 5, Lurig A 0: A Graham 0, D Birt 2; D O’Boyle 1, B Birt 2; S rowan 1, P McAteer 2; M Curran 0, J McKillop 2; B Hamill 0, M Birt 2. Sportpersons - Seamus Rowan/Paddy McAteer.

Randalstown Veterans 4, Halfway B 1: G Davison 1, R Mark 2; J Beggs 2, J Donnell 0; F Brammeld 2, M McSparron 0; N Murray 2, P O’Dornan 0 ; s Birt 2, B Fleck 1. Sportspersons - Brian Fleck/Seamus Birt.

Randalstown Veterans 2, Lurig A 3: J Beggs 2, P McAteer 1; F Brammeld 0, D Birt 2; S Birt 0, J McKillop 2; N Murray 0, B Birt 2; D Lee 2, M Birt 1. Sportspersons - Paddy McAteer/Nigel Murray.

Glencloy Inn 4, Black Bull 1: McAuley’s 3, Greenhills2: S Davision 0, E Darragh 2; W Magill 2 , C Reid 1; R Mitchell 1, M McAuley 2; J McAuley 2, P Scullion 0; D Magill 2, J Larkin 0.

FINAL TABLE

PWLPts

R'town Veterans2522394

Lurig A2520591

Glencloy Inn2520590

McAuley's2523288

Greenhills2517868

BUSC25141161

Lurig B25131261

Halfway B25111360

Halfway A25111459

Black Bull2561951

Glencloy Elite2561947

Social Chronics2561942

Heffrons2532231

LEAGUE DINNER

With all matches played the attention turns to the League dinner which takes place this Friday, May 22, at the Glens Hotel, Cushendall. Teams are requested to have orders and money paid to the Hotel before Thurdasy 21st.