Irish Tug of War

The third round of the National Tug of War Championship was held yesterday in Knockmore Co. Mayo. The 680kg senior and division two titles were contested as was the under 23 620kg championship.

Lakehill, senior 680kg national champions

The teams who competed in the championship were Boley, Killylough, Lakehill, Gortletteragh, Grove, Ferrywater, St. Pats, Tara Arms, Slaneysiders and Lavalley. Nine teams competed in the senior 680kg competition. Reigning 680kg european champions Boley from Co. Wexford finished top of the league system on maximum points closely followed in second place by host club Lakehill from Co. Mayo. Killylough from Co. Monaghan and Ferrywater from Co. Tyrone took the remaining semi final positions. The semi final pairings were Boley versus Killylough and Lakehill versus Ferrywater. Boley continued their fine form earning a place in the final with a straight end victory over Killylough. Lakehill easily overcame Ferrywater to join them in the final; their third national final of the season. Killylough defeated Ferrywater in the third place pull-off to win the bronze medal.

Boley, senior 680kg runners-up

The final, a repeat of the 720kg final earlier in the season was a hugely entertaining spectacle for the large crowd in attendance. Boley were hoping to maintain their amazing record spanning over twenty years at 680kg while Lakehill were out to win their first ever national senior title. Both teams piled on the pressure from the drop in a gruelling first end which lasted around four minutes. It was Boley however who showed the most determination to pull the rope across the line. The second end was a real battle, there was very little movement in the rope after three minutes and both teams were on two cautions each. Boley were eventually disqualifed for receiving their third caution. Both teams were physically exhausted going into the third and deciding pull which proved to be a battle of mental strength. Having fallen at the final hurdle in the previous two national finals this season the Lakehill men showed a huge amount of hunger and determination to pull the rope accross the line winning the gold medals and their first ever national senior title.

Ferrywater, div 2 680kg national champions

National 720kg winners the Grove from Co. Mayo and 600kg winners Ferrywater from Co. Tyrone were the teams who qualified for the 680kg division two final. The Tyrone men produced a resilient display to defeat their rivals to win the gold medals and their second national title of the season.

St. Pats, u23 620kg national champions

Tara Arms from Co. Carlow and St Pats from Co. Louth battled it out for the title of 620kg under 23 national champions. In a repeat of the 640kg two weeks ago in Slane the Louth men were once again too strong for Tara Arms and went on to win the gold medals and their second national title of the season. 

 For full results from the national championship held in Co. Mayo yesterday check our results page.

Click here to see photographs from yesterdays competition.

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The second round of the National Outdoor championships took place yesterday in Creewood, Slane, Co. Meath. In comparision to last week in Monaghan the teams enjoyed glorious weather and ideal underfoot conditions.

Boley, 720kg National Champions

Five titles were contested on the day and twelve clubs competed. These were Boley, Lakehill, Killylough, Bremore, Gortletteragh, Grove, Ryanstown, Lavalley, St. Pats, Creewood, Rocky’s & Tara Arms. Lakehill from Co. Mayo pulled very strongly in the 720kg senior winning the league system with maximum points. They were closely followed by Boley from Wexford in second place. Bremore from Dublin and Killylough from Monaghan were the two teams who joined them in the semi finals.

Grove, 720kg Div 2 National Champions

The semi final pairings were Lakehill versus Killylough and Boley versus Bremore. Lakehill continued their fine form to defeat Killylough in two straight ends and were the first team to qualify for the final where they were joined by Boley who also enjoyed a straight end victory over Bremore. In the third place pull-off Killylough broke down heavy attacks from Bremore in both ends and went on to win the bronze medals. The crowd were treated to an entertaining spectacle as arch rivals Boley and Lakehill squared off in the final. Boley went on the attack from the drop in the first end and didn’t allow the Mayo team to settle. Lakehill never recovered and Boley took the first end in just under 4 minutes. The second end was a more evenly matched affair and was eventually won by Lakehill who showed a lot of strength to get Boley over the line. There was very little between the sides in the third and deciding end with Boley showing their experience and determination in geeting the rope over the line to win the gold medals.

Lavalley, Novice Catchweight National Champions

New clubs to the association Ryanstown from Co. Wexford and Lavalley from Co. Mayo competed in the Div 2 championship. Lavalley produced and excellent performance to qualify for the final where they were joined by the Grove also from Co. Mayo. The Grove proved too strong for the new boys in the final and went on to win the gold medals in a straight end victory.

St Pats, under 23 640kg National Champions

Newly affiliated clubs Boyneside from Co. Offaly and Rocky’s from Co. Cavan were among the teams who entered the Novice Catchweight competition. Lavalley qualified for their second final of the day where they were joined by St Pats from Co. Louth. Lavalley were not to be denied a second time and produced a fine display in the final defeating the Louth men to win the gold medals. The under 23 640kg was another exciting competition. The teams to qualify for the final were St Pats and Tara Arms from Co. Carlow. St Pats pulled strongly in the final and went on to win the gold medals.

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The first round of the 2008 National Outdoor Championships took place yesterday in very wet conditions in Clontibret Co. Monaghan.

Killylough, 600kg National Champions

Fitteen teams competed on the day and the titles up for graps were the 600kg divisions 1 & 2 and the 640kg novice. The teams who competed were Boley, Killylough, Lakehill, Gortletteragh, Bremore, Carbery, Donoughmore, Ferrywater, Slaneysiders, St. Pats, Grove, Sportsmen, Ballyhooley, Creewood and Tara Arms.

Ferrywater, 600kg Div 2 National Champions

11 teams took part in the 600kg competition which was run in two groups of 5 & 6. There was intense competition for the semi final places in group 1 which included Killylough, Bremore and Boley. Killylough from Monaghan topped the group and were joined in the semis by Bremore from Dublin who finished second. Lakehill from Mayo pulled well to top group 2 with maximum points and were joined in the semis by Gortletteragh from Leitrim. Killylough easily overcame Gortletteragh in the first semi final and were joined in the final by Lakehill who produced a fine performance to defeat Bremore in a hard fought contest. Bremore overcame their semi final disapointment to defeat Gortletteragh in two straight ends to win the Bronze medal. Killylough who pulled very well all day defeated Lakehill by two ends to nill to win the Gold medals and the title of national champions at 600kg.

Tara Arms, 640kg Novice winners

Ferrywater from Tyrone and Donoughmore from Cork were the teams who qualified for the 600kg division 2 final. The final was controlled well by the Tyrone men who broke down heavy attacks from Donoughmore to take the Gold medals in two straight ends. 8 teams entered the 640kg novice competition including new clubs to the association Ballyhooley from Cork and Sportsmen from Louth. Tara Arms from Carlow and Bremore were the teams who qualified for the final. The young pullers from Tara Arms who performed well all day produced another fine display in the final to win the Gold medals in a straight end victory.

For full results from yesterdays National Championship in Monaghan check out our results page. Click here to see photographs from the competition.

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The first round of the five fixtures in the 2008 national outdoor championships takes place this coming Sunday the 6th of July at the Clontibret Vintage show, Clontibret, Co. Monaghan. The weights being contested are 600kg senior and 640kg novice. Entry to the show is 10 euro, however there will be a representative from the ITOWA at the entrance with passes for all clubs allowing entry for 5 euro.

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