CLON SPECIAL OLYMPICS RINGS TOURNAMENT

SO RINGS TOURNAMENT

The Clonakilty Special Olympics Club Fundraising Pub Rings Tournament Finals were held at the Brewery Bar on 19^th December last with a packed house in attendance. After last years inaugural event, committee member Anthony McDermott organised the 2009 tournament again, ably assisted by Declan and Natalie O’ Driscoll.

The initial rounds were held three months ago, and every Thursday night since the men’s heats were run off with the ladies being played on the Friday nights. Five establishments – Abbey Bar, (Rosscarbery), The Lyre Bar, Charlie Madden’s, (Timoleague), and Clonakilty pubs Bernie’s Bar and The Brewery Bar, all had entries. The growing popularity of Rings was illustrated by the fact that each night over the three months over 40 people came along to watch the players throw the rings in the men’s and ladies singles heats.

A Plate Competition was also organised for the first round losers and a house raffle each night. The host pubs also put on food and refreshments each night which was very much appreciated by all. Over €3,000 was raised by the tournament for the Clonakilty Special Olympics Club. On the night of the finals, five times All Ireland Rings Champion, J. J. Behan from Kildare made a guest appearance, and was so impressed that he went on the popular Ray Darcy Show on Today FM the following day to talk about the night. Also present were Special Olympics Club athletes John Reardon and Donal O’ Brien and Club Manager Rose Dempsey who spoke passionately about the club and the athletes. She thanked Anthony and Declan and Natalie for running the tournament and raising great funds for the club. The Ladies Plate winner was Catherine Collins of The Lyre Bar who beat Charlotte Walsh of Charlie Madden’s, while the Men’s Plate was won by Leo Hassett who defeated Pat O’ Brien both of the Brewery Bar. The Ladies Final was won by Gretta Cormican of The Lyre Bar who piped last year’s winner Natalie O’ Driscoll representing The Brewery Bar.

Meanwhile, Ted Hegarty took the Men’s trophy back to Lyre having snatched victory in an exciting final from last year’s winner Patsy Gallagher of the Abbey Bar. Organiser Anthony McDermott thanked all who supported the tournaments over the 12 weeks, and paid tribute to Camilla and Denis of The Brewery Bar who sponsored all the Ladies prizes and Micheál O’ Donovan of Rick’s Pant Hire who sponsored all the Men’s Prizes. With Pub Rings now firmly revived in the locality and the second Special Olympics Tournament having been so well supported in 2009, Anthony pledged to run the event again in 2010.