North West ready to head into the Lion's Den in men's zone semi final

Having paraded the Boomer Cup for the past two years, Oriel will be hot favourites to book their slot in their fifth successive final.

They managed to squander title winning opportunities against Mid Ulster in 2012 . . . and Armagh the following season.

But Gerry O’Hare’s team have got it right in recent years and they’ll certainly fancy their chances of securing a slot against either Monaghan or Mid Ulster in the February 27 final.

In fact, those cup final defeats deprived Oriel the chance of muscling in on Mid Ulster’s unique tournament record as they are still the only team to have lifted the trophy on five successive years (1999-2003).

“It’s a really tough test for us,” admits O’Neill. “Oriel are a formidable team, especially on their own mats.

“But we must go there in a positive frame of mind.

“We’ve enjoyed wins over West Down, Donegal and North Eastern, so it would be nice to go right to the final.

“We’ve only had our names on the trophy on three occasions . . . the last was back in 2008. I think we are now now over due to come good.

“But we know we’ll need to bring our best form with us to Corduff. Anything else will not be good enough.”

North West have put their faith on youth this season -- and the kids have answered all the questions asked of them.

O’Neill added: “We have four junior team members included . . . Graham Kennedy, Jamie Cochrane and,Jordan and Adam Rankin. Another young lad, Martin McNicholl, has moved from the front end to skip this season.

“They have performed really well. Seamus Gilloway has came into the team for the first time, while Trevor McIntyre and Uel Gordon are both back playing zone bowls.

“Trevor has been away for around six years, while Uel has been missing for seven or eight seasons, but they are really helped beef up the squad.

“Oriel are a top side, but I always love playing against them.

“We’ll be taking two bus loads with us, so we’ll not be short of support. We’ll be going there to give it our best shot.”

Past masters Mid Ulster have been shunted aside by the emergence of Oriel in recent years.

Their last lifted the Boomer Cup with that win over their rivals in 2012 when they produced a stunning revival to grab a victory from the jaws of defeat.

They go into their semi final against Monaghan as red hot favourites as their opponents will be appearing at this stage for the first time.

“We’ll be taking nothing for granted,” said Mid Ulster’s Seamus Kyne.

“We’ve been blowing hot and cold and and been too inconsistent in recent years.”

Fixtures: IIBA Men’s Inter-zone semi finals: Oriel v North West; Monaghan v Mid Ulster.

IIBA Men’s Plate: Western v Larne; Mid Down v Meath.

l Title holder Alex Marshall paid Gary Kelly the ultimate compliment by stating the Ballymoney man has the capabilities of winning the World indoor Singles Championship!

The Scot defeated Kelly in his opening defence of his crown on Monday afternoon - a game that was beamed out live on BBC television.

Having won the opening set 9-5, the six times champion turned the screw in the second to chalk up a 7-5 success, but he admitted that ‘he was delighted to get through because Gary has the ability to win the tournament’.

He added: “I know he can play a lot better.

“It’s difficult going out on the portable rink in front of a big crowd.

“I’m just happy to get through. Gary is a guy who really has the ability to go the whole way . . . and I’m sure he’ll be back. He is one for the future,” he added.

The Ireland international tried desperately go claw back the deficit in the opening set, but Marshall, being the champion that he is, put in a killer bowl which guaranteed his the set.

Kelly made the early running in the second, but after six ends, the scoreboard read 6-6. Marshall then put his foot on the gas, picking up a single and a double, leaving his opponent with an impossible final of picking up a full house.

“I disappointed with my performance,” declared Kelly. “I just wasn’t consistent enough. Alex played all the big shot when it mattered, so I can have no complaints. I just didn’t do enough to win.”