Gribben cements position as O'Reilly Cup favourite after convincing win over Campbell

Sunday November 1st - O’Reilly Cup: Second Round Concludes

The second round of the O’Reilly Cup concluded following the delayed contest between Pauric Gribben and Keith Campbell. Giving his opponent a shot start, Gribben initially hit the dead kerb with his first shot while Campbell put fifty yards on the mark with a strong break. Gribben quickly took control, reaching Rocks lane and breaking the shot, followed by a brilliant throw to the green box at Corrs Corner.

Though Campbell stayed close to the cap at Hughes, Gribben widened his advantage up into McKee's. On the straight past the lane, the score turned decisively: three shots to the gate at the Lonesomes left Campbell a shot and good odds behind. Gribben extended his lead to two bowls at the Diamond before Campbell conceded. With this performance, Gribben cements his position as the tournament favourite, while Campbell heads to the back-door round.

In a back-road challenge, Sean Gordon pulled away over the closing shots to claim victory over Raymond Finnegan.

Fixtures & Upcoming Events

Sunday, November 8 (11:00 AM): Corr Cup – Philip McKinney v Darragh Gribben

Sunday, November 15: Closed Sunday (No fixtures due to fundraiser) O’Reilly Cup Quarter-Final Draw Patrick Garvey v Iarlaith Maguire Oliver Gribben v Tony McKee Richy Gribben v Niall Gribben or Keith Campbell Pauric Gribben v Seamy O’Neill MADDEN ROAD BOWLS

Recent Results Grade 4 Final: Shane Kiernan claimed the Grade 4 title on the final shot against Damien McCann. McCann led for most of the match, but Kiernan delivered a massive drive from below the Flaxhole to beat the finish line by three inches under intense pressure. Grade 2 Final: Diarmuid Grimley continued his strong form to secure the Grade 2 title on the last shot against Colin Mallon, executing a crucial final throw past the houses and down to the line.

Overall Final Line-Up

With all four grades of the 2026 tournament now completed, the line-up for the John Rafferty Cup Overall Final is set:

Paul O’Reilly v Diarmuid Grimley (+1) v Gavin McParland (+2) v Shane Kiernan (+3)Fixtures

Sunday, November 8 – Christmas Tournament (Sponsored by Hugh McCann Contracts Ltd)11:00 AM (Hughes’): Coleen Grimley & Damien McCann v Shannon Kiernan & Paul Vallely v Gemma McCann & Cathal Maguire11:45 AM (McKenna’s): Joe Kiernan & Mark McClatchey v Niall Stevenson & Stevie Gray v Colin Mallon & Cillian Mallon Sunday, November 15: No fixtures (Damian Daly Memorial fundraiser for Evora Hospice Care at Knappagh)

PORTMOR ROAD BOWLS

Recent Results (Derryfubble Road)Grade One A Final: Philip Corrigan defeated Barry McKenna. McKenna held a strong lead at Rafferty's, but a series of unforced errors near Hagan’s allowed Corrigan to capitalize and take a comfortable win.Grade One B Semi-Final: Karol Donnelly edged out Aiden Conlon in a tight battle decided on the last shot at the big house.Grade Two: Tony Daly secured a decisive win over Daniel Donnelly, building an unassailable lead from the Doctor's to the double Bends. In the village contest, Gareth Lavery held off a fierce late challenge from Shane Donnelly to take a hard-earned victory.

Fixtures

Sunday, November 8 – Portmor Cup (Sponsored by John and Camillus Dynes)Playing Fields (10:30 AM): Gavin McArdle v J P Hughes Doctors (11:15 AM): John Kernan v Mickey Donnelly Playing Fields (12:00 PM): Charlie Lavery v Michael Smyth (+1 bowl)Doctors (12:30 PM): Nathan Toner v Pearse Donnelly Sunday, November 15: No bowls at Ben burb (Charity scores at Tieve Tara for Southern Area Hospice)TULLYSARAN ROAD BOWLS

Sam Rooney Cup – Grade 1 Final

Stevie O’Neill captured the Grade 1 title in the Sam Cup following a hard-fought match against Marty Mullan. Mullan held a narrow lead through the S-bends, but a two-shot error near the building site allowed O’Neill back in. O’Neill capitalized with a massive throw past the bungalows to seal the victory. Avalon Blinds Cup Fixtures (Sat, November 7)Hughes (10:30 AM): Connie v Kacey / M. Anna Louise Teresa Kilpatrick’s (11:00 AM): Ann Marie v Anna MaeCemetery (11:30 AM): Cliodhna v Tracy Hughes (3:00 PM): Brenda v Winner of Connie/Kacey Bonus Ball Winner: Saturday, 31st October (2nd draw, £50) – Jamsie Oliver (Number 36).

TIEVE TARA ROAD BOWLS

Recent Results Damian Daly Top 16 (Quarter-Final): Mark Toal defeated Jake Cullen; Darragh Gribben defeated Ethan Rafferty. Grade 2 Quarter-Final: Eoghan McVeigh defeated Philip McKinney. Challenge: Anthony McVeigh defeated Davy Clarke. Upcoming Fixtures: All-Duffy Cup Grade 2 Quarter-Finals (Nov 8)11:00 AM (Fingerpost): Kevin Cullen v Seamy O’Neill11:45 AM (Brannigan’s): Paddy Lennon / Damien McVeigh v Michael Owen Kinchin2:00 PM (Fingerpost): Conor Daly v Pierse Donnelly / Fintan Daly2:45 PM (Brannigan’s): Eddie Mallon v Caolan Smith (Winner faces Paul McVeigh in the final quarter-final)Notice: The weekend of November 14th–15th is the designated charity weekend for Newry Hospice (more details to follow). Subsequent quarter-finals take place on November 22nd.