However, McIlroy was determined and kept winning ends to beat Ure 21-13.
Tolaga Bay bowler Sharon Olsen won the senior women's champion of champion singles title.
Mere Nepia, of Te Karaka, won a close game against Glenys Whiteman, of Kahutia, on her way to a potential final against two-lifer Olsen.
But Olsen played some stunning bowls to beat Nepia 21-8 and claim the crown.
Poverty Bay bowler Kathryn Flaugere won the champion of champions singles for junior women with up to eight years of bowls experience.
She had two lives until Gisborne's Diane Oates beat her in the potential final on the Sunday.
That meant they had to meet again to decide the title.
Oates led early but Flaugere fought back. Oates missed with some run shots and Flaugere went on to win 21-17 to claim the title.
In the division for junior men with up to eight years' bowls experience, Gisborne's Geoff Pinn beat Willy Murray (Te Karaka), Ray Young (Kahutia) and Andrew Ball (Poverty Bay).
With two lives intact, Pinn comfortably defeated George Tamihana (Tolaga Bay) 21-8 in the potential final.
In the division for junior women with up to three years' experience, eventual winner Karen Pinn, of Gisborne, had a close call in the first round.
Anna Colvin, of Poverty Bay, led 20-17 and needed one more shot to win the game.
On the last end, Pinn drew the four shots closest to the jack to snatch it 21-20.
Erica Thompson (Te Karaka) comfortably beat Colvin 21-9 in the second round, which meant Colvin had lost both of her lives.
In the third round, Thompson led 14-3 against Pinn but, after a big comeback, Pinn won 21-17 to leave Thompson with one life.
The pair faced each other again in the potential final.
Both played excellent bowls before Pinn won 21-8 with both lives still intact.
John Andrews, of the Poverty Bay club, had two good wins against Marty Shields (Te Karaka).
With both lives still intact, Andrews won the junior men's title for those with up to three years' bowls experience.
