Festival atmosphere for a legend’s last hurrah

HAVING read the article by Eoin Edwards in your County supplement (Irish Examiner, Dec 16), relating to the great Mick Barry’s gardening and road bowling career, I would like to point out that the Dublin Hill partner score with Bishop John Buckley was not his very last score, as stated in the article.

Much to the delight of the Newcestown festival committee, Mick Barry accepted their invitation to play a partner score with Bishop John Buckley on the opening night of the festival on July 24, 1997. Opposition for the Barry/Buckley partnership was provided by local players Con O'Donovan of the village and the late Denis Lynch of Queensfort. Hundreds of spectators turned out for the occasion. It was a tremendous score with Barry/Buckley having what looked like a winning lead at O'Brien's Cross.

But the local players put in a strong finish that saw Denis Lynch, from a hind bowl position, deliver a 'rocket' of a last throw that entered the village to gain a narrow but well deserved victory over the bishop's final effort.