Coppinger on track to retain title

ALL-Ireland champion Martin Coppinger is on track to retain his title after a solid win over Eamon Bowen Jnr at Enniskeane on Saturday.

They both hit pillars on the left with their opening throws. Bowen’s second went left too and Coppinger beat it by 70m. He took advantage of Bowen’s poor third shot to increase his lead and make certain of reaching the mill with his fourth. Bowen missed light and when Coppinger went out he pushed his lead to almost a bowl.

He made Crookstown Cross with his next and Bowen missed it by 30m to fall a full bowl behind. Bowen responded with a good bowl to light, but Coppinger hit back with a monster bowl to the second bend which put him two bowls clear. Neither player got a good shot from there, but Coppinger just held his two bowls of odds lead. They both missed the bridge in the next exchange.