Irish Tug of War

The final national outdoor championship of the season was hosted yesterday by the Connemara club in Leitir Mor, Co. Galway. The clubs who attended were Ballinagh, Brideswell, Boyneside, Canavans, Cleggan, Connemara, Mna na Mara, & Renvyle.

Connemara, national champions, ladies 560kg

Five teams competed in the ladies 560kg championship. The newly affiliated ladies club, Mna na Mara from the nearby area made their national debut in this competition. The hosting Connemara club were very strong as they topped the round robin and were joined in the semi final by Ballinagh, Boyneside & Canavans. Canavans enjoyed a straight end victory over Boyneside in the first semi final as Connemara also progressed in straight ends against Ballinagh. The all Galway final between Connemara and Canavans was an enjoyable contest but it was the Leitir Mor women cheered on by their home support who went on to win the gold medal and national title with a straight end victory. Boyneside defeated Ballinagh to win the bronze medal.

Canavans, mixed 600kg national champions

History was made in Leitir Mor yesterday as the association hosted its first ever mixed 4×4 national championship. The competition was a big success as six teams competed for the title. The teams who qualified for the semi finals were Ballinagh, Boyneside, Canavans & Connemara with Cleggan & Brideswell just missing out on qualification. Canavans avenged their defeat to Connemara in the 560kg final as they progressed with a straight end victory in the first semi final. Boyneside from Edenderry defeated Ballinagh in the second semi final to join the Belclare team in the final. The final was a great contest as both teams gave everything but it was the Canavans team who progressed to win the gold medal becoming mixed 4×4 600kg national champions. Ballinagh defeated Connemara to win the bronze medal.

See full results on our Results page.

Click here to see photos from Leitir Mor. Thanks to John McManus photography for photos. All photos are available for purchase.

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Tullow Agricultural Show, Co Carlow, was the venue for the penultimate 2011 All Ireland Outdoor Tug of War Championships on Sunday 21st August. The titles up for decision on the day were the Senior, Division 2 and Novice 560 kg championships. Thirteen clubs competed altogether in front of a large and appreciative crowd.

Killylough, national senior champions at 560kg

Six teams entered the senior competition. These were Binnian View, Boley, Clonmines, Glenhill, Gortletteragh and Killylough. After some very competitive pulling the four teams who made it through to the semi finals were Killylough, Boley, Gortletteragh and Binnian View. The semi final pairings saw Killylough face Binnian View and Gortletteragh take on Boley. Killylough came through in straight ends in the first semi final. The second semi final saw some top quality pulling with Boley eventually emerging victorious in straight ends over a gallant Gortletteragh. The scene was set for a top quality final between Killylough and the seven man team from Boley. The final lived up to expectations with Boley throwing everything at Killylough but the experienced Monaghan men held out for a straight end victory and yet another 560 kg All Ireland title.

Glenhill, national Div 2 champions at 560kg

The pull off for the bronze proved to be a very entertaining affair with Gortletteragh eventually coming through 2-1 against the rapidly improving Binnian View team. In the Division 2 competition, Glenhill yet again emerged victorious to round off what has been a hugely impressive year for the Cork team. The seven teams which entered the novice competition were Ballinagh, Baltinglass, The Burren, Brideswell, Killoughey, Rockies and Stapletons. After a very entertaining round robin league, the line up for the semi finals was The Burren vs Stapletons and Cavan rivals Rockies vs Ballinagh. The first semi final was a very tense affair with The Burren eventually coming through 2-0 after being taken to within a foot of the line in the second leg.

Burren, national champions at 560kg novice

In the other semi final Rockies overcame Ballinagh 2-0. The final was a very entertaining battle between two evenly matched teams but it was The Burren who had a slight edge over Rockies and went on to take their first national title in straight ends followed by  scenes of jubilation from this very promising young team. The pull off for the bronze was a tough battle between two experienced teams but Stapletons had that little bit extra and secured the medals with a 2-1 victory over Ballinagh. Report & photos by Helen Coyne, Ladies Liaison Officer. Many thanks to Helen for covering in my absence.

See full results on our Results page.

Click here to see photos from Tullow (note: there are 2 pages of photos).

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The final day of the 405kg and 435kg All-Ireland Ladies leagues were hosted by Boyneside club last Sunday in the Rugby Grounds at Edenderry Co. Offaly. Six ladies teams were in attendance. The clubs who competed were Ballinastoe, Ballinagh, Boyneside,Connemara, Canavans and Thatch Bar.

Thatch Bar, winners of the 405kg & 435kg national ladies leagues

5 teams participated on day 4 of the 435kg. Entering the 405kg on the final day, the Thatch Bar ladies from Ballygar were on 21 points having secured maximum points on every one of the previous three days. Day four was to be no different as they powered home to an impressive victory having not lost one single end throughout the Summer at this weight. Consistent runners-up Boyneside again took second place to win silver whilst Ballinagh took home the bronze. Canavans  and Ballinastoe finished 4^th and 5^th respectively.

The 435kg again saw 5 teams battle it out. They were Ballinastoe, Boyneside, Canavans, Connemaraand the Thatch Bar. The league tables entering the last day meant that no team could be confident of their medal colour until the final whistle was blown. After a hard days slogging in sometimes changeable weather, Connemara emerged in first place in this round with Thatch Bar second and Boyneside third. Following totting up of scores and furious punching on calculators, Thatch Bar ladies again emerged as overall winners. Only one point separated second and third place winners. Connemara took home the silver while Boyneside added a bronze to their collection. Report by Helen Coyne, Ladies Liaison Officer. 

Click here to see the ladies league tables after the four rounds.

Click here to see photos from Edenderry. Thanks to John McManus photography for photos. All photos are available for purchase.

Click here to see an article which appeared in the Roscomman People. Well done to Thatch bar on their outstanding achievement and for their PRO work, you are setting a great example for other clubs.

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The national 600kg championships were hosted today by the Ballinagh club at the GAA fields in the town. There was a great turnout of teams and a large crowd of spectators enjoyed a great days action in glorious weather conditions. The clubs who competed were Ballinagh, Binnian View, Boley, Boyneside, Brideswell, Burren, Clonmines, Donoughmore, Gills, Glenhill, Gortletteragh, Killylough, Killoughey, Lakehill, Mountain View, Slaneysiders, Rockies and Thatch Bar.

Gortletteragh, national senior champions at 600kg

11 teams competed in the senior 600kg competition which was run in one group. Many of the contests went to third and deciding ends due to a slight difference in sides. Gortletteragh pulled very well to top the round robin and were joined in the semi finals by Killylough, Mountain View & Slaneysiders. Killylough enjoyed a straight end victory over Slaneysiders to qualify for the final despite stiff opposition from the Wexford team. The first end of the contest between Mountain View and Gortletteragh was very entertaining. Mountain View attacked winning 2 meters of rope but the Leitrim team defended well and went on to win the contest in a time of around 4 minutes. They also added the second end to set up a repeat of the 600kg final from the previous two years. The final was another great contest and was thoroughly enjoyed by the large crowd in attendance. Killylough defended well in the first end and went on to win the pull wearing down the Leitrim men with their crafty style.

Glenhill, national Div 2 champions at 600kg

Gortletteragh responded with power in the second end to take the final to a deciding pull. Despite loosing the toss for choice of ends the determined Gortletteragh team ensured it was third time lucky at 600kg as they powered their way to their first ever national senior title. Slaneysiders from Co. Wexford produced another outstanding performance in the third place pull-off to defeat the experienced Mountain View team in straight ends to win the bronze medal, their first ever medal at senior level. The final of Div 2 600kg competition was contested by Glenhill and Clonmines. This contest also went to a third and deciding end and it was the Glenhill team who emerged with the gold medal adding to a great season for the Cork men.

Ballinagh, national champions at 600kg novice

6 teams took part in the novice 600kg competition. Ballinagh overcame Gills in the first semi final as Rockies defeated the Burren in the other semi to set up an all Cavan final. There was a great atmosphere in the final as neighbors and arch rival competed for the title. It was the Ballinagh team spurred on by their vocal home support who emerged with the gold medal as they produced a fine performance to win the title ensuring a night of celebrations in Barney Mac’s public house! The Burren from Co. Clare produced a fine performance in the third place pull-off as they defeated Gills from Co. Galway to win the bronze medal.

Boyneside, national champions, ladies 520kg

The three teams who competed in the ladies 520kg competition were Ballinagh, Boyneside & Thatch Bar. This was another good competition as Boyneside and the Thatch emerged to qualify for the final. This title was also decided with a third and deciding pull as both teams gave everything. In the end it was the Boyneside team who showed huge determination to work the rope back to win the title and the gold medal, a first national title for the club. The ladies teams will now concentrate on next Sundays league finale in Edenderry before the 560kg championship takes place in Leitir Mor on the 28th of August. Clonmines from Co. Wexford made it a clean sweep of national U23 titles as they defeated Killoughey in the 620kg final to take the gold medal.

Ballinagh, winners of the 2011 youth league

The final round of the youth 420kg league also took place. Ballinagh who began the day with a 4 point cushion secured the gold medal finishing in first place on the day and first place overall with an impressive 33 points. Binnian View produced their best performance of the league to finish in second place on the day accumulating a total of 20 points. Boyneside secured a vital 5 points to finish tied with Rockies overall with 25 points each. Due to their great efforts it has been decided to present both teams with a set of silver medals meaning that Binnian View will get the bronze medal. Medals will be presented next weekend in Edenderry. Well done to all the youths who participated in the league.

See full results on our Results page.

Click here to see the youth league table after today’s finale.

Click here to see photos from today’s action in Ballinagh (note: there are 3 pages of photos).

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The national outdoor championships continued yesterday and were hosted by Boley in New Ross, Co. Wexford. The teams who attended were Ballinagh, Ballyhooly, Binnian View, Boley, Boyneside, Clonmines, Cuan Rithe, Donoughmore, Glenhill, Gortletteragh, Killoughey, Lakehill, Mountain View, North Clare, Saltmills, Slaneysiders, Stapeltons, & Rockies.

Boley, national senior champions at 640kg

Nine teams competed in the senior 640kg championship which was run in one group. The hosting club pulled well to top the round robin and were joined in the semi finals by Mountain View, Gortletteragh & Slaneysiders with Lakehill having a disappointing day missing out on qualification. Boley enjoyed a comfortable straight end victory over their Wexford neighbors, Slaneysiders in the first semi final as Mountain View had to dig deep to overcome Gortletteragh in the second semi. Boley and Mountain View faced each other in what was a very entertaining final. Mountain View attacked in the first end and progressed to within a meter of the line only to be disqualified for receiving their third caution. The Louth team attacked again in the second end and rattled the local team but Boley kept their shape well and worked the rope back to win the gold medal and their fourth 640kg title in as many years.

Clonmines, national Div 2 champions at 640kg

Gortletteragh pulled well to defeat Slaneysiders in straight ends to win the bronze medal. The teams who qualified for the Div 2 final were Binnian View from Co. Down and Clonmines, another Wexford team. Clonmines pulled well in this contest to win the gold medal with a straight end victory adding the 640kg title to the 680kg title they won in Ballina. Eight team competed in the 680kg novice championship. The teams who progressed to the semi finals were Ballinagh, Glenhill, Killoughey & Stapeltons.

Stapeltons, national champions at 680kg novice

Killoughey from Co. Offaly progressed to the final with a straight end victory over Glenhill. Stapeltons from Co. Galway had to dig deep needing a third and deciding end to defeat Ballinagh to qualify for the final. The final was a great contest as Stapeltons who were competing in their first ever final won the first end against the experienced Killoughey team who were pulling in their seventh final. Killoughey fought back in the second end and began to win some rope but picked up cautions in doing so eventually receiving their third caution and disqualification handing the title to the Galway team. Well done to Mike Stapelton and his team on winning their first ever national outdoor title.

Clonmines, national U23 champions at 600kg

Clonmines & Killoughey competed in the final of the U23 competition. Clonmines were hoping to win their second U23 title of the season as Killoughey were hoping to put the disappointment of loosing the novice final behind them. However, the Offaly team had to settle for the silver again as Clonmines rounded off a great day for the Wexford teams adding the U23 600kg title to their Div 2 640kg title. The penultimate round of the youth 420kg league saw four teams competing.

Ballinagh, winners of round 4 of the youth league

Once again it was the consistent team from Ballinagh Co. Cavan who picked up the maximum 7 points bringing their total to 26 virtually guaranteeing them the gold medal as they prepare to host the final round of the league on their home soil next weekend. Rockies finished in second place and are in second place overall with a 2 point cushion over Boyneside ahead of next weekends finale.

See full results from New Ross on our Results page.

Click here to see the youth league table after round 4.

Click here to see photos from yesterday’s championship in New Ross (note: there are 3 pages of photos)

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