The second of the four regional titles was decided at Oldcastle this afternoon, with Barry O’Neill securing a second consecutive eastern crown.
In securing a first ever eastern title last season, O’Neill had brought Jamie Codd’s record breaking run of 11 consecutive titles in the east to an end, and the Wexford native has defended that title with a dominant display in 2018.
Whilst the number of cancelled fixtures has denied him the opportunity to better his 28 winners in the region of last season, his eastern tally for this campaign was just shy of that mark, as he finished-up on 27 winners.
Entering Sunday’s bumper nine-race Oldcastle fixture, O’Neill held what in theory was an unassailable 8 winner advantage over Rob James, and a treble on the day ensured his advantage was ultimately extended to ten winners.
Rob James enjoyed his best ever season in the region finishing up in second in the region on 17 winners, with the side-lined Jamie Codd in third on 15 winners, Richie Deegan in fourth on seven winners, and James Walsh completing the top five in the east on six winners.
2018 title honours for O’Neill ensures that he joins a select and illustrious list of names that includes Ted Walsh, Tony Martin, John Berry and Jamie Codd in winning consecutive titles in the region.
O’Neill will be presented with his Eastern award during the 39th Irish Field Point-to-Point Awards which will take place on Saturday 9th June in the Clayton Whites Hotel in Wexford town.
If you would like to join him on the night, tickets and rooms can be purchased below.
