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Inishowen declares Tug O War
19.02.10
by Kevin Kelly, Inishowen Independent
THE peninsula’s tug o’war clubs warmed up for the
World Championships which take place in Italy next
week with an intense work out against some of the
country’s leading teams in Buncrana Youth club last
Sunday. The Cockhill Club played host to their first
National Championships in their history and
attracted teams from as far away as Galway and
Dublin. The attention switches to the World
Championships which start in Italy later this week.
At its peak the All-Ireland attracted up to 250
spectators on Sunday afternoon. There were two
categories for the 11 teams in attendance in the
battle for honours. Six senior and five novice teams
eagerly contested the two competitions.
In the senior section fans where treated to some
very close battles were a slip or loss of
concentration could have meant defeat. After a long
day it was the Bremore Farmers from Dublin in the
560 kg section who emerged victorious out pulling
the highly fancied Clonmany A side in a close final.
A gutsy Carndonagh side finished in third. |
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While, the hosts on the
Day Cockhill’s participation ended in defeat to
Clonmany A in a nerve wracking semi final. In the
novice section top spot went to Fallons from Galway.
Speaking to the Inishowen Independent following the
event on Sunday, Cockhill Club chairman Dan
Gallagher said: “It was a great day for the club, to
host our first national competition which attracted
teams from all around the country. There was a good
turn out on the day as well. I would hope we will
hold further national pulls in the future following
the success of today.”
Attention now turns to the World championships which
start next Thursday near Milan in Italy. Four sides
from Inishowen will be taking part in the club
competition on Thursday and Friday; Cockhill,
Carndonagh, Clonmany A and B who have all performed
well in their respective sections at the
championships.
Coach of the Clonmany A side Danny McGonagle said:
“Sunday’s national championships were a good test
for the boys. They have been training hard for the
last six months in order to be ready for the World
Championships”
Three national selectors were in attendance at the
pull in Cockhill to determine which team would
represent Ireland in the World Championships next
Saturday and Sunday. The bulk of the Bremore Farmers
from Dublin will have the honour of representing
their country in Italy as they claimed top spot in
the 560 kg section.
“Some Inishowen lads will probably be on the
national side in Italy,” Big Danny said. “As the
national selectors have the right to add members to
the club who wins at the all Ireland championships
which are normally held before Christmas but were
delayed this year. This is done to make sure the
team representing Ireland is the strongest it can
be.” |
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