Banteer News
BANTEER NEWS
Seamus Sexton Gets Gold at Bowling Championships
On Sun last the Irish road bowling team really sprung to life at the European Bowling Championship in Germany winning three of the four individual gold medals on offer and two bronze. Local Nadd Banteer man Séamus Sexton of the famous Sexton Road Bowling family is the new men’s champion of Europe, taking the gold medal held by David Murphy in each of the last three European championships. Other Irish winners were Darren Dempsey and Rachel Kingston who both bowled brilliantly to win the two under-18 medals, while James O’Donovan and Kelly Mallon won bronze in the senior championships. Seamus win on the challenging Süderhastedt Road in SchleswigHolstein Germany was the one that really resonated with the Irish. Firstly, as his massive score held out against a determined late challenge and also it seemed fitting that he should take a title twice held by his late father Seamus in 1974 and 1977 who passed away a short while ago. Seamus did absolutely everything right on a road that puniched the slightest mistake. Getting out the last bend in six was the critical target for anyone with ambitions
of winning gold. Seamus was well out, but he then had to produce four perfect shots from there to gain enough metres to stay clear of Europe’s elite bowling players. Three super shots in succession followed by a sensational 349m last shot, secured his 2,323.9m total. His road mark had him close to 200m ahead of Germany FKV’s Simon Quathammer. Ireland’s James O’Donovan put in a surging finish, but he just fell short of Quathammer’s score. One by one challengers failed to get close to Sexton’s score, till the very last group of the day, containing David Murphy and Germany FKV’s Ralf Look. Ralf Look played four incredible first shots and consolidated his challenge with a massive fifth one. He was slightly right with his sixth one, but he was out the famous last bend. The entire gallery was now focused on Look, encouraging handclaps echoed out in support of his every effort. After a sensational seventh he was very much in the frame, but he lost ground in his next two. He reached 1,935m with his ninth. He needed a massive shot now to bridge the gap. He was slightly right with his bowl and it fell well short of the target. A wave of Irish tricolours and a surge of Irish supporters swept onto the road for an emotional celebration. For all of Look’s heroics he ended outside the medals which meant James O’Donovan held his bronze. Thomas Mackle was next best of the Irish in seventh and former champion David Murphy, who was injured on Friday, finished 14th. The combined efforts of the Irish men also secured the team gold medal.
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Issue 65 June 3rd, 2022
Annual Mass returns to Sunday’s Well, Fermoyle, Banteer on Thur June 23rd @8pm. All welcome to attend! Banteer Underage Soccer Soccer Camp at Banteer Sportsfield on Weds Thurs Fri 20th, 21st, 22nd July for boys and girls aged 6 to 17 Full details to come. Banteer Macra Reminder: Our weekly sports night continues Wednesday nights, with all members welcome, including new members. 8 pm in Banteer Hall. €2 entry. Want to join Macra? New members are always welcome. For enquiries please contact Kelvin O’Connor - 0838287670 or message us on Facebook/ Instagram. Congrats to Dillon Corkery and his paracyling comrade, Damien Vereker who finished a creditable 5th place in the Paracycling European Championships in Austria. Dillon, who cycles with the CC Etupes team, only joined up a week earlier with his paracyclist comrade Damien –well done Dillon from all in Banteer. Banteer Community Sportsfield Draw 2022 The annual fundraising draw for 2022 was launched recently with €10,000 in prizes for 2022 and all users are asked to support same. Prizes of €1500, €500 and 5 by €100 will be raffled every 3 months with the cost of tickets at €25 per quarter or €100 per annum. First draw Sunday June 5th.
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