Young Guns keep the flag flying!

Ciaran Mc Creesh and Eoin Hughes (Pictured left with his Father Declan)) rounded off a memorable Championship Year for NRBA by winning the Ulster U-12 & U-10 respectively. Both young bowlers hail from fine bowling families and did our club proud by performing fantastically well throughout the championship. Both Ciaran and Eoin are relatively inexperienced. However, both kept their heads to overcome their respective opponents to land yet two more Ulster Titles for the Navan Club. This takes the NRBA toll for 2008 to 1 All-Ireland Championship, 4 Ulster Championships and 1 Ulster Runner-Up. Well done to all our bowlers on their Championship haul.

All-Ireland Champion - Niall Smith

Our own Niall Smith from the Navan Road Bowls Association is the new All-Ireland Novice 1 Champion for 2008. Niall overcame tough opposition in the London based Pat O'Neill on the Saturday to book his place in the Sunday finale. In poor weather conditions Niall faced the Munster Champion of John Hurley from Dunmanway. However, Niall's start would have seen off most opponents in higher grades. The pressure on Niall was eased when Hurley missed with his opening shot and the end result was a two bowl deficit after those three. The Ulster champion, a junior B All-Ireland finalist against the emerging Philip O’Donovan in Ballingeary in 1993, hit three huge efforts early on. Cheered on by a large group of travelling Clubmen, Niall, continued to extend his advantage. The Dunmanway man, to his credit, plugged on, but crucially missed a few opportunities later on to close the gap to a shot. Hurley's huge effort off the netting brought the odds well under the two shots. However, at this stage the result was not in doubt and Niall scored the line to a rapturous ovation from his Clubmen.

The Smith Household has been a hive of activity this week in preparation for a reception for our new All-Ireland Champion. Pictured with Niall at the event are;- Back Row L-R. Kevin Smith, Declan Hughes (NRBA), Tony Mc Coy (NRBA), Michelle Smith, Stephen Smith. Front Row L-R. Fergal Mc Creesh (NRBA), Niall Smith (All-Ireland Novice Champion 2008 & Jarleth Devlin (NRBA & Secretary, An Bol Chumann na hEireann)

Delight for Niall!

The Navan Road Bowls Association have added yet another Ulster Title for 2008 after Niall Smith overcame a valiant opponent in Mark Mc Parland to secure the Ulster Novice Championship at Tullysaran. Niall bowled superbly throughout the score and showed glimpse's of old. This is Niall's second Ulster Title and his first since 1993 when he secured the Ulster Junior B Championship. Niall then contested the All-Ireland Title at Gougan Barra, Ballingeary but lost out to an emerging talent in Phillip O'Donovan. This is a popular success for the Navan Man and all roads now lead to Westport in a few weeks time were it is hoped Niall can rightfully claim that elusive All-Ireland Title. Well done Niall and the best of luck in the Final from all your fellow Clubmen.

Heartbreak for Darren

Navan Man Darren Oliver just failed in his attempt to land the All-Ireland Junior A Title to his Munster Junior A Championship after being beaten by Martin Toal on the last shot in the All-Ireland decider at Tassagh. Darren, roared on by his Navan followers, made a steady start to the score and raised a bowl of odds at the Creamery Lane. It even looked like the Ballycrummy man would raise a second bowl until Toal threw two mighty bowls that took him to the hollow below the garage which effectively levelled the score. However, Darren had his opponent back on the ropes with two great efforts to the Bridge. Darren's penultimate shot was average and when Toal scored the line with a great shot from his "mark" Darren was left a tricky shot to beat. Unfortunately, Darren's bowl fell short handing the score to the fortunate Toal. An Armagh man's win in the Munster Championship will remain long in the memory and all at the Navan are very proud of his efforts this Championship Summer of 2008. Well Done Darren.

Darren's coming home!

All at the Navan Road are extremely proud to hear that the former Navan Road man Darren Oliver is the Munster Junior A Champion 2008. The Killarney Chef beat Corkman, Michael Bohane by 1 bowl of odds for a purse of €2,000 in Dunmanway, West Cork last Saturday evening. The news has been greeted with delight here at the Navan as our ex-Clubman makes his way home to "Tin Town", for his All-Ireland final on Saturday 2nd August 2008. It is hoped that the Ballycrummy native can "cook up a treat" for all his friend and followers when he faces Martin Toal in the Junior A Final at 3:00pm on the Markethill Rd. Tassagh. Congratulations Darren and good luck in the All-Ireland Final from all your friends at the Navan Road.

Cormac falls just short in All-Ireland decider

Our own Cormac Garvey fell at the final hurdle in his quest for the Junior B All-Ireland title at Skibereen on Saturday 12th July 2008. Cormac was facing the experienced Michael Hurley (pictured left) who had previously gained National Honours at Novice 2 level. However, it was no Novice performance that snatched the victory from the jaws of defeat in front of a large crowd on the Marsh Rd. course.
It was a dream start from Cormac that had his supporters from the Navan in raptures as his first five bowls surged him into a two bowl advantage. It was here that the wheels started to come off the bike as Hurley unleashed a massive bowl from a poor corner that went "Out" in one. Here, Cormac had four average bowls that conceded the lead as Hurley found his range. From here on, Hurley bowled superbly and finished the score extremely strongly to take the contest by a bowl of odds. For Cormac, this was a spirited and gutsy performance and one which attracted many admirers to our man from the Navan. So, it wasn't to be for Cormac and his legion of supporters from the "tracks" who made the long journey from Armagh. A journey which will hopefully be retraced in the not too distant future. Well done Cormac, from all at the Navan.

Cormac goes for Gold

This forthcoming weekend sees our own Navan Clubman, Cormac Garvey go for the ultimate accolade in Road Bowling, All-Ireland Champion! Cormac faces the Cork man, Michael Hurley on the Marsh Rd. Skibereen on Saturday afternoon at 1400Hrs. All-Ireland Finals are nothing new to Cormac as he was crowned U-18 All-Ireland Champion in previous years. However, reports from Cork suggest Cormac will have to be at his very best on Saturday afternoon if he is to bring home the All-Ireland Junior B Championship Cup to the Navan Rd. outside Armagh.
Cormac's journey through the Ulster Championship has not been without mishap. However, sterling performances against Thomas Mullan and Declan Mallon, together with his experience on the big stage would suggest that Cormac could indeed overcome the Cork man and bring the cup back to the "tracks". Good Luck Cormac from all your fellow Clubman and safe journeys for all those travelling to Cork this weekend.

Ulster Junior B Champion - Cormac Garvey

Congratulations to our own Navan Club Man, Cormac Garvey. Cormac secured the Ulster Junior B Title on Sunday 29th June 2008 at Tassagh when coming from behind to beat a valiant runner-up in Declan Mallon. The Rock Rd. men had been trying to secure a unique double as Declan's younger brother Ciaran had the previous day, won the Ulster U-16 grade.
Garvey started slowly and was a bowl of odds out for the majority of the score until he unleashed a ferocious effort down past the garage which turned the score on it's head! However, Mallon fought back to regain the initiative on the approach to the bridge when nothing seperated the pair. Mallon threw an excellent last shot for which Garvey had to be at his best to beat. Cormac now takes on an impressive Michael Hurley in Skibeereen in two weeks time. The Navan Club has to go back to '93 since Niall Smith represented us at Ballingeary in the Junior B grade. Prior to that, Navan man, Shane O'Neill flew the flag in 1990. Well done Cormac, and all the best in Skibereen.

U-16 Ulster Championship Final

On Saturday 28th June 2008, our U-16 representative, Conor Mc Creesh unfortunatley lost to Ciaran Mallon in the provincial final played on the Markethill Rd, Tassagh. Conor could never get on terms with the steady Rock Rd. Man who bowled very well on the day. This was Conor's first competitive Final in his first year in Championship bowling. Conor bowled impressively throughout the early stages of the championship and this experience will no doubt stand Conor in good stead for another tilt at the grade in 2009. We wish Ciaran every success in the All-Ireland decider in Skibereen next month.

Navan Road Bowls Association

Welcome!

Welcome to our blog for the Navan Road Bowls Association. We are a Road Bowling Club based in the Navan Fort region, outside Armagh City in N.Ireland. This blog is designed for the use of all our members to look up information relating to Club Competition, latest action images and other general information relating to the club.

The ancient game of Road Bowls has been played for many years in the Navan Fort Area. Although we are one of the smallest Road Bowling Clubs in Ireland, we have had our fair share of Ulster and All-Ireland success over the years.

We hope you enjoy the blog and look forward to hearing from you with your comments and queries.

The Navan Rd. - The Course.
1st Shot - "Break Off" from the Quarry Wall. Played shot required here, generally up the middle of the road towards the quarry entrance. Be cautious of the stone walls on either side as a rub here could stop the bowl dead or send it across the road!

2nd Shot - Up past "Leeman's Gates". Generally, a played bullet up the right hand side. Try not to cross the bullet as this will leave you just beating "Nicholl's" and off the next shot.

3rd Shot - Probably the toughest shot on the road. Run low and put the bowl out to the road towards the brown gate on the right hand side. The object here is to keep the bowl high on the road to carry the corner. The road falls sharply to the left the whole way. This shot requires spped and accuracy.

4th Shot - Out of the Ring Corner - Substitute power for accuracy here as its generally downhill. Run the right and play the right. A tight bullet will rub. For those more adventurous, run the right and play the right with a good "Pull" to take it out to the middle of the road and beyond "Crosses".

5th Shot - Into the "Bull Track" - Run the right and play the right and you should rub all the way around the "Bull Track" corner. One of the more simple shots on the road.

6th Shot - Up the Straight - Two options here. Run the left and "screw" the bullet out, up the left hand side and hopefully it breaks at "Ted's Lane", or, Run the right and play the right, although bullets do tend to fall to the left here.

7th Shot - Up to the "Street" - Easiest shot on the road. Run the right and play the right.

8th Shot - To the "Brown Gate". Run tight to Tommy's hedge and get the bullet into the left hand track. Good "Pull" required here to negotiate the bend. Rising ground here requires a speedy bullet that must be "pulled" and played.

9th Shot - Into the "Cap". - Crucial shot and the winning and losing of many a "Score". Run the left hand side and you have to get the bullet across and into the right hand side "Track". Running up hill doesn't help as limbs are getting tired at this point. Hopefully, you have got the "Cap" at Loughrans.

10th Shot (& Last)- Like Shot 4, power is substituted here for accuracy. It helps if the bullet is screwed into the right hand track in order to negotiate the bend. An extremely difficult last shot that requires composure and accuracy.