Road bowling: Kingston seals semi-final spot in style, Stokes too good for Parkes

Killian Kingston was at his brilliant best in the Munster intermediate championship quarter-final at Grenagh.

 

Killian Kingston was at his brilliant best in his comprehensive win over John O’Rourke in their Munster intermediate championship quarter-final at Grenagh.

He scorched to Boula lane in 12 throws, leading all the way and giving O’Rourke few chances to gain traction. He shaded the opening shots by ten metres, but followed with a massive bowl to the mirrors. O’Rourke replied with a very sharp third one to bring the odds back to 30m.

Kingston negotiated the double bends much better than O’Rourke. He then played a great bowl to go a bowl clear. He held that lead past the farm and up the hill facing down towards Boula lane. O’Rourke was well back and unsurprisingly missed Boula. Kingston made no mistake with his one and closed off any hope of a late rally from O’Rourke.

Paddy Stokes beat Wayne Parkes in the last shot of a second quarter-final at Newcestown.

They were in close contention from line-to-line, but Stokes had good odds facing the forge cross. Parkes made a huge bid to score the no-play line, but narrowly missed. Stokes scored it to gain a big advantage.

Parkes stayed in contention though and was still hanging on at the last bend. Stokes put it to bed with a good last shot that beat the line.

Stokes plays Michael Murphy in the Munster semi-final, Kingston meets the winner between Tim Young and Timmy McDonagh.

Mark Toal beat Bryan O’Reilly by two bowls at Knappagh to secure an Ulster intermediate final clash with Pete Carr.

His first bowl got a kind rub off the kerb to give him a big lead, which he held in the next three past the planting corner. O’Reilly played a brilliant fifth shot to the bridge to win his only lead. Toal regained the lead instantly and raised a bowl with his next one from Harry’s cross.

Toal was at the top of the hill past he plum trees in 10, where he raised a second bowl. O’Reilly knocked the second bowl with a good shot towards the minister’s. Toal bounced back with a brilliant one to Daly’s, which guaranteed his place in the final.

Danny Stokes beat David Roche by a bowl in the Munster junior A, Zone A, final at Templemichael. He made light in three to go well over a bowl in front. Roche brought the lead under a bowl on the straight. He stayed in contention till Stokes got a massive bowl to light for the novice line, which put him a bowl clear again.

Gavin Twohig and Johnny O’Driscoll will contest the Zone C final. Twohig beat David Hegarty at Shannonvale and O’Driscoll beat Donal Riordan at the Marsh Road.

Twohig won all the early shots at Shannonvale, but there was little between them after seven to Buttimer’s pillars. Hegarty missed Desmond’s with his next one. Twohig went out and raised a bowl after three more to Kingston’s wall.

Hegarty knocked the bowl with a big shot to the palms and levelled with his next one to Campbell’s. His following bowl got a great rub to win him a 35m lead. He was still fore for the last shot, but Twohig closed with a huge bowl.

O’Driscoll won the first two shots at the Marsh Road, but his third hit a bollard. Riordan then led till O’Driscoll regained the lead with his bowl to light at the silvery gate. Riordan rallied from the steps, but O’Driscoll went out Ballyhilty in three more to gain almost a bowl of odds. He raised the bowl to the avenue and he held it past the line.

Liam Murphy beat Cillian Kelleher in the last shot in the Munster premier junior championship at Inchigeelagh. He plays Brian O’Driscoll in the quarter-final. He led by almost a bowl after five, but Kelleher fought back to win the lead after two more. There was little between them to the finish.

Colm Crowley beat Shane Shannon in the Carbery junior B final at Bauravilla. Shannon led by a bowl after eight past Dekker’s. Crowley fought back to lead by 20m at the bridge He had a 40m lead for the last shot and beat the line after Shannon had missed.

Mick Hurley won the East CorkWaterford final on the Leamlara road. PJ Cooney raced a bowl in front after seven. Hurley completely turned the score with two extraordinary bowls. He won the lead with the first past the care home and raised a bowl with the next one past the big tree.

Shane Collins won the North Cork final at Kilcorney. He raised a bowl on Conor Lucey after three to the bridge and they contested that lead to the finish.