Tyrone Constitution - Sports - Mid Tyrone bidding to secure semi-final berth

Sports

Mid Tyrone bidding to secure semi-final berth

Thursday, 5 January 2012

AFTER the Chrstmas break, the Mid Tyrone Zone men's team is focussing its sights on North Down in their bid to win a semi-final berth in the inter-zone series.
Having defeated a strong Foyle team earlier in December, the Mid Tyrone men have built up good confidence and morale for their upcoming match against a North Down team which is very much an unknown quantity.
Having defeated Armagh in a shock result, North Down's confidence will also be high and, no doubt, both teams will be treating each other with the utmost respect, as they do not know much about each other, but with a semi-final slot up for grabs against the winner of Mid Ulster versus Donegal, it promises to be a lively encounter.
The Mid Tyrone team is as follows: Rink one, P Conroy (Beragh), M Savage (Beragh), M Mulligan (St Pat's, Drumquin), G Conroy (Beragh); rink two, A Miller (Clogherney Pres), D Gourlay (Ardstraw), N Rutledge (Sixmilecross), R Cunningham (Mayne); rink three, B Brannigan (St Eugene's), M Rutledge (Sixmilecross), T Vance (Clogherney Pres), C Shortt (Clogherney Pres); rink four, D Boggs (Ardstraw), J Teague (St Eugene's), W Boggs (Ardstraw), PJ McCrossan (St Pat's, Drumquin); rink five, W McLean (Clogherney Pres), Ash Sproule (Castlederg Meth), S McSorley (Ardstraw), D Spratt (Mayne); rink six, P McCrossan (St Pat's, Drumquin); D Doherty (Ardstraw), N Hagan (Mayne), H Wilson (Ardstraw); substitutes, P Turbitt (Errigal) and D Caldwell (Drumragh).
This match is on Saturday, January 14, at Glastry Presbyterian Church, which is a lengthy journey and the bus will be leaving at the following times at the following spots: leaving Spar shop, Castlederg at 10.15am sharp; Ardstraw at 10.40am sharp and Omagh (Crevenagh Park 'n' Share) at 11.15am sharp.
Spaces are already filling up for the bus quickly and if you want to secure your seat on the bus phone Trevor on 02880758130 at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment. This is a big match for the Mid Tyrone Men and if they can secure a semi-final spot it will be the first time since 2003/04 when they were beaten by a single shot by Oriel in the final.
The Mid Tyrone team really want to progress with a blend of youth and experience - maybe this year they can go further and secure that semi spot against the winners of the Donegal versus Mid Ulster game, which should be a close game as well.
All players who entered the National Championships are reminded that they begin again on Wednesday, January 4. Thanks once again to St Joseph's Hall, Omagh, and their caretaker and to St Joseph's Bowling Club for the use of their equipment.
On that note, the Mid Tyone Zone committee would like to thank all who entered their recent open singles, those who helped at the event and to anyone who assisted in any way and made it the huge success it was and to wish all the clubs in Mid Tyrone a very happy new year.