Wilmot set for Rafferty clash
On Sunday he faces Ulster’s Paul Rafferty in the Intermediate final, which is the top title on offer. This is no small assignment as Rafferty has been coming into form over the past few months and is showing a high level of consistency.
Wilmot didn’t do himself justice in the Munster final against Donal Riordan a few weeks ago. If he can put that performance to the back of his mind and focus on his win then he can take a lot of positives into Sunday’s final. He has an incredible championship record, having lost just the 2009 Munster Junior A final in a two-year period and unlike Rafferty he has been over the road in a championship score.
Carmel Ryan will face Kelly Mallon for the second year running in the All-Ireland senior final. She retained her Munster title by beating Maria Noonan in a one-shot play-off of their tied Munster final at Derrinasafa on last night.
Mallon will be strong favourite. She was in total control for much of last year’s final and repeated her victory over Ryan at the Queen of the Roads.
Arthur McDonagh will be a hot fancy to beat Paul O’Reilly in the Junior A final, but he may get a tougher test than his supporters anticipate. He was very impressive as he progressed through Munster, gaining momentum with each outing and confirming his status as a player with a big future. In the Munster final he easily beat Michael Gould and in the semi-final he moved up the gears impressively when he hit open road at Carrigaline.
Paul O’Reilly is a player much in the mould of McDonagh. He was the favourite in every round of the Ulster championship and always justified the confidence of his supporters with impressive wins. He will be able to match McDonagh in speed, but he will have to control a strong right-hand spin and will obviously have the disadvantage of not knowing the road as well as his opponent.
The experience of winning last year’s U12 final should stand to Evan Murphy when he takes on Ryan Gamble in the U14 final. His Munster final win over Darren Santry at Castletownkenneigh shows that he has continued to develop into this season. Gamble however, was impressive in his win over David Devlin in the Ulster final and showed plenty of pluck in beating Devlin’s good last shot by 30m.
Dylan O’Driscoll bowled very well in his Munster U12 final win over Michael Nyhan at Bauravilla. That was a good testing score, which is the perfect preparation for what is certain to be a powerful challenge from Odhran Rafferty. Rafferty had a runaway win against Reece McGeown in the Ulster final. He comes with a lot of pedigree being a nephew of the great Michael Toal and the brother of two All-Ireland champions.
Ulster’s Carly Grimley will be hoping to retain the All-Ireland U18 title. She has a lot of experience at this level, which is a very valuable commodity in the furnace of an All-Ireland final. After a strong early challenge from Catriona Collins she pulled away for an easy win in Ulster.
She will have some misgivings about facing Munster champion Cathriona Murphy though. Murphy comes to the final with a big reputation and will have the confidence of knowing that her sister Aileen easily beat Grimley in the 2009 All-Ireland final at Sally’s Cross.
All-Ireland Bowling Finals Derrinasafa, Dunmanway, Co. Munster — Saturday July 9:
1 pm—Boys U14 final: Evan Murphy (Munster) v Ryan Gamble (Ulster).
Back Boys U12 final: Dylan O’Driscoll (Munster) v Odhran Rafferty (Ulster).
3.30 pm—Men’s Junior A final: Arthur McDonagh (Munster) v Paul O’Reilly (Ulster).
Sunday July 10 — 11am Senior Women’s final: Carmel Ryan (Munster) v Kelly Mallon (Ulster). Back Girls U18 final: Cathriona Murphy (Munster) v Carly Grimley (Ulster).
3.30pm Men’s Intermediate final: Brian Wilmot (Munster) v Paul Rafferty (Ulster).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
