Daly comes of age with thrilling victory in Castletownbere

GARY DALY’S senior career came of age on Sunday when he beat All-Ireland champion Martin Coppinger in the last shot of a pulsating Joe O’Sullivan Acorn Life Cup final at Castletownbere.

He started well, winning the first tip by 40m after Coppinger’s bowl crossed right. Coppinger’s second drifted right too, but it turned back and cut Daly’s lead. A great third shot to the garage gave Coppinger his first lead. Daly hit back with a great fourth, but Coppinger held his odds. Daly played his fifth to the left and looked to have a big shot to make Roadeen Cross. Coppinger beat that well.

Daly rescued the situation with a brilliant sixth bowl to Roadeen cross. Coppinger’s reply missed the tip by 30m. He bounced back with a great bowl over the hill, but Daly beat it by 20m. Coppinger followed with another great shot onto the flat, but Daly just beat it. Coppinger increased the pressure with three great shots, but Daly matched each one to hold a 50m lead facing the line.