Conor’s rink lead Dunbarton to ten-shot Senior Cup win

On paper, this Senior Cup game looked to have the makings of a classic and it didn’t disappoint.

Dunbarton got revenge for last year’s quarter-final defeat with a superb 10 shot success at a sun drenched Gilford.

With a large crowd watching, the home team applied pressure from the word go and led from start to finish.

At the three quarters mark, it was all over bar the shouting as the Gilford side led by 18 and despite an attempted fightback over the final few ends, the hosts cruised to a ten shot success. All four rinks played a huge part but it was Conor McCartan’s rink who stole the show winning by eight shots.

Rink 1 – D Copeland, T Bell, S Adamson, A Hughes up 19-13

Andy and his rink started well but were unable to shake off their opponents. Whilst the visitors played very aggressively and ditched a number of jacks over the closing ends, the locals held on for an excellent six shot success.

Rink 2 – C Trainor, M Merritt, G McElroy, C McCartan up 22-14

Conor’s rink rounded off a smashing week by being the highest rink up for the third match in succession. They started with a bang scoring seven shots in the first two ends and increased their advantage to ten shots at the three quarters mark. By the close, the locals eased home by eight shots.

Rink 3 M Higgins, C Mulholland, M Trainor, M Greenfield down 19-22

At fifteen ends, Myles’ four trailed by a shot 13-14 and with one end remaining, nothing had changed as the away rink led 19-20. Unfortunately, the hosts were unable to score a double to win their game when the opposition ditched the jack and two shots were conceded.

Rink 4 R McElroy, P Convery, G Moore, DJ Wilson down 19-20

DJ’s men got off to an awful start, trailing 0-7 after two ends. They endured a terrible slice of luck on the first end when Commonwealth Games medallist G Kelly wicked off a short bowl to move the jack for five shots. However, skip DJ produced some magical bowls to get his rink back in it. Going into the last end, DJ’s rink led by one shot but lost out by one.

In the last 16, the Gilford side are on their travels again, away to either Cookstown or NICS. Date is yet undecided. It’s back to league fixtures this week and the locals travel to Forth River on Wednesday, followed by a tricky trip to Ulster Transport on Saturday.