Mid Ulster must improve if they are to win Boomer Cup insists Seamus Kane

Having stuttered through to the February 27 showdown at Killyman, Mid Ulster will require a vast improvement on the form they displayed against Monaghan at the weekend.

In fact, they travelled to Monaghan in the knowledge they slipped up against the same opponents last season.

Even though they negotiated the challenge this time - by only two shots - Oriel will be an entirely different proposition next time out.

“Monaghan were only one bowl away from repeating their victory - it was that close,” claimed Kyne.

“Oriel will go into the final as favourites, there is no question about that.

“They have won the trophy for the past two years and will be eager to improve on that.

“We certainly will have to raise our game to a much higher level if we are to make a match of it.”

Mid Ulster looked to be in control at the interval, having built up an eight shots lead.

It was the rink skipped by Danny McStrovock that did the damage by chalking up a 14-7 win against Paddy McElvenney.

Although Damien McElroy dropped a count of four on the first end against Shane Magennis he recovered to reel in seven over the next two. However, the Monaghan combination battled back to lead 11-9 going into the last end.

McElroy somehow managed to pick up a three to squeeze home (12-11).

On the third mat, Mid Ulster’s Mark Wilson astonishingly found himself 9-0 in arrears against Pat McKenna. But the Ireland international again displayed great tenacity to grind out a 10-10 result.

Mid Ulster increased their lead to 16 shots after the break, until Monaghan put their foot on the gas. Gerry Moen pocketed 10 shots on the last four ends to roar to a superb 16-6 win against Dayne Jordan.

And, Brendan Og Maginnis, perhaps Monaghan’s top skip, bagged seven shots on the last four ends to claim a famous win against Colm McHugh (10-9).

It was then winner takes all on the final rink. Monaghan’s Brendan Magennis looked to have won it with his third bowl until Alan Paul produced a phenomenal delivery, taking out his opponent’s two bowls to earn Mid Ulster the one shot required to win it.

“That form will just not be good enough against Oriel,” added Kyne.

“We will have to up our game a great deal if we are to have any joy in the final.”

Oriel, meanwhile, remained on course to become the first zone to complete a hat-trick of title since Mid Ulster’s record breaking five in a row feat back in 1999-2003.

They laid the foundation for their semi final win at home to North West with a stellar first half showing. Paul Duff was the pick of the home skips in that opening session. He racked up a 13-7 win against Martin McNicholl.

Stephen McMahon chipped in with a 10-5 victory over Richard Service. North West through Brian Ranking, who claimed a tense 6-5 win against Sean Trainor.

After the break, Kevin Conroy nudged Oriel a little nearer to the finish line by beating Trevor McIntyre (11-6), while Paddy Hanlon edged home by only one shot (11-10) against Ryan O’Neill.

It meant that Leigh Harrison’s excellent 11-8 success against Gerrry McCabe counted for nothing.

Results

IIBA Men’s Inter-zone semi finals: Oriel 58 North West 45; Monaghan 60 Mid Ulster 62.

IIBA Men’s Plate: Western 67 Larne 36; Mid Down 63 Meath 49.