Martin Coppinger claims cup to end James O’Donovan’s winning run

Martin Coppinger won the Noel Phair Cup at Shannonvale, ending James O’Donovan’s fantastic run of wins.

He won the first tip by 20m with a great bowl. O’Donovan got a super second, but Coppinger just beat it. O’Donovan’s third to the top of the hill was good too. Coppinger replied with a mammoth shot to the silver gate. O’Donovan’s reply lodged in water and missed it to concede a bowl.

Coppinger reached Desmond’s in three more to push his lead to almost two as O’Donovan just missed sight. He kept the lead close to two bowls by reaching Sam’s lane in eight. He made a mistake with his next though and the lead was back to a bowl. O’Donovan was just short of sight at Campbell’s in two more where he had the lead under a bowl.