Irish Tug of War

The final rounds of the national indoor championship were hosted today by the Carndonagh club at St Bridget’s hall, Clonmany, Co. Donegal. The teams who competed were Ballinasloe, Binnian View, Carndonagh, Clonmany A, Clonmany B, Canavans, Deel Rangers, Glenhill, Mountain View, Rockyes and Stapeltons.

Mountain View, national indoor champions at 560kg & 600kg

Five teams took part in the 600kg senior competition with the semi final pairings being Clonmany A versus Clonmany B and Mountain View versus Carndonagh. Mountain View were very strong as they overcame the host club in straight ends. They were joined in the final by Clonmany B who defeated their rivals in an impressive straight end victory. Clonmany B fought hard in the final but the Louth team were a little stronger as they won their fourth senior title of the season quite comfortably. Carndonagh produced an excellent performance to defeat neighbors, Clonmany A in straight ends to win a well deserved bronze medal. Mountain View set out to win a clean sweep of senior titles as they faced Deel Rangers in the semi final of the 560kg competition. There was no stopping the Louth men as they qualified for the final where they were joined by Clonmany A who fought hard to win revenge on Carndonagh in the second semi final. Clonmany A who were pulling with seven men produced a determined display but it was Mountain View who went on to win the gold medal and an amazing fifth title of the season. Congratulations to Mountain View on an excellent season. Carndonagh rounded off a good day for the club with a hard-fought straight end victory over Deel Rangers to win their second bronze medal of the day.

Deel Rangers, national indoor Div 2 champions at 560kg & 600kg

Deel Rangers who were aiming to complete a clean sweep of Div 2 titles easily overcame Glenhill to qualify for the 600kg Div 2 final. In the second semi final it was Rockyes from Co. Cavan who produced a fine display to defeat Binnian View to guarantee the silver medal. Rockyes who specialise in the lighter weight categories pulled very well in the final but it was the strong Deel Rangers team who took the gold medal with a straight end victory. Binnian View came from an end down to defeat Glenhill in the deciding end to win the bronze medal. Three teams took part in the Div 2 560kg competition as Deel Rangers qualified for the final once again. Glenhill overcame the disappointment of loosing out on bronze at 600kg to join the Westmeath men in the final. But there was no stopping the men from Co. Westmeath as they completed the outstanding achievement of winning all the Div 2 titles in their comeback season.

Binnian View, national indoor champions at 600kg novice

The four teams who took part in the novice championships were Ballinasloe, Binnian View, Canavans and Stapeltons. Binnian View who have had an excellent first season at national level qualified for the 600kg final where they were joined by Galway team, Canavans. It was the men from Co. Down who produced another fine performance to win the 600kg gold to add to their 640kg & 680kg titles. In an all Galway contest, Stapeltons defeated Ballinasloe to win the bronze medal.

Stapeltons, national indoor champions at 560kg novice

Binnian View also qualified for the 560kg final where this time they were joined by Stapeltons, the team from east Galway. This was a very entertaining contest as the Down men were denied their fourth title by an excellent Stapeltons performance as the Galway men won their first ever national title with a straight end victory. Well done to Michael Stapelton and his team. Canavans rounded off a good day for the Galway clubs by defeating Ballinasloe to win the bronze medal. Well done to the judges in charge, Pat McGurl & Gerry Ferguson who officiated a very busy program very efficiently in what was a very enjoyable conclusion to the national indoor season.

See full results on our Results page.

Click here to see photos from the national indoor championship held at Clonmany (note: there are two pages of photos)

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The third round of the national indoor championship took place today in Lordship, Co. Louth where there 640kg titles were contested. The teams who competed were Ballyhooly, Ballinasloe, Binnian View, Canavans, Carndonagh, Clonmany A, Clonmany B, Deel Rangers, Four Lakes, Glenhill, Killoughey, Stapeltons, St. Pats & Rockyes.

Mountain View, national senior champions at 640kg

Eight teams took part in the senior 640kg competition. Mountain View continued their impressive season by finishing top of the league system. They were joined in the semi finals by Clonmany A, Clonmany B & Deel Rangers with Carndonagh just missing out in fifth position. Clonmany A easily overcame Clonmany B in the first semi final as Mountain View also enjoyed a straight end victory over Deel Rangers to qualify for the final. Once again the two top teams in the country at the moment faced each other in the national final as the excitement rose in St. Patrick’s hall. The first end was a very even contest as Clonmany gradually won a few feet of rope. Mountain View didn’t panic and kept their shape very well to respond and moved the rope back to win the first end in a time of around five minutes. Clonmany dropped in hard in the second end and pushed from the off but were unable to get the Louth team into any significant trouble. Mountain View who are the team to beat this season produced another flawless display to win the second end and the national senior title at 640kg. Clonmany B had to dig deep to overcome a very resilient Deel Rangers team to win the bronze medal.

Deel Rangers, national Div 2 champions at 640kg

Five teams took part in the Div 2 championship and after some fine even pulling it was Deel Rangers who once again finished top of the league system and went on to defeat Ballyhooly in the semi final to qualify for their third Div 2 final of the season. St. Pats overcame Cavan team, Rockyes in the second semi final to set up a repeat of the 680kg final from two weeks ago. It was Deel Rangers who were the stronger team once again as they defeated St. Pats in straight ends to win the gold medal. Ballyhooly also enjoyed a straight end victory over Rockyes to win the bronze medal.

Binnian View, national champions at 640kg novice

Six teams competed in a very entertaining novice 640kg championship. Binnian View who have been very impressive in their first season pulled well again to finish top of the group, they were joined in the semi final by Stapeltons, Canavans and Four Lakes. Stapeltons defeated Canavans in an all Galway contest to qualify for the final where they were joined by Binnian View who defeated Four Lakes in the second semi final. There was very little between the teams in the final as Stapeltons fought very well but it was Binnian View under the guidance of Brian Murray who went on to win their second title in a row with a straight end victory. Four Lakes overcame Canavans in a very entertaining third place pull-off which went to three ends to win the bronze medal.

Mountain View, national champions at U23 480kg

The three teams who took part in the U23 6-a-side 480kg competition were Canavans, Killoughey & Mountain View. It was Mountain View and Killoughey who progressed to face each other in the final. The final was an even contest but it was Mountain View who had the slight edge as they went on to win their second U23 title of the season. Well done to chief judge, James Ward who ran a very efficient and entertaining championship.

See full results on our Results page.

Click here to see photos from today’s national championship in Lordship (note: there are two pages of photos)

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The national indoor championships resumed today in Cushinstown, Co. Meath where the 680kg senior, Div 2 & novice titles were contested. The teams who competed were Binnian View, Four Lakes, Canavans, Carbery, Ballinasloe, Stapeltons, Killoughey, Deel Rangers, St. Pats, Clonmany, Mountain View, Ballyhooly, Glenhill & Rockyes.

Mountain View, national indoor champions at 680kg

Four teams took part in the senior competition as Clonmany and Mountain View faced each other in the final, a repeat of the 720kg final in Carlow. This was another very exciting contest as Clonmany won the first end in a time of around four minutes. Clonmany also worked well in the second end bringing Mountain View to within an inch of the line. With both teams on two cautions they both fell to the mat. Mountain View responded quicker and brought the rope all the way back to bring the contest into a third end. Mountain View were the stronger team in the deciding end as they went on to win their second national title in a row. Deel Rangers defeated Binnian View to win the bronze medal.

Deel Rangers, national indoor Div 2 champions at 680kg

Six teams took part in the Div 2 championship as Deel Rangers from Co. Westmeath finished on top of the league system. In the semi they overcame Killoughey in straight ends to qualify for the final. St. Pats also enjoyed a straight end victory over Ballyhooly in the second semi final. Deel Rangers who have been very strong since making their comeback to action defeated St. Pats in straight ends to win their second Div 2 title of the season. Killoughey defeated Ballyhooly in a three end contest to win the bronze medal.

Binnian View, national indoor champions at 680kg novice

There was some fine pulling in the novice competition as seven teams competed. Binnian View from Co. Down who are in their first season pulled very well to finish top of the league system. They went on to defeat Canavans in the semi final to qualify for their first ever national final. Four Lakes who are also a new club overcame Carbery in the second semi final. The final was another excellent contest but it was Binnian View who were a little stronger and they went on to win the gold medal and their first national title. Canavans from Co. Galway pulled well to defeat 720kg champions, Carbery in straight ends to win the bronze medal.

See full results on our Results page.

Click here to see photos from today’s national championship in Cushinstown.

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