Murphy the man to beat as King of the Road takes centre stage

David Murphy is bidding to reach his sixth consecutive final and join Bill Daly at the top of the Hurley’s of Midleton King of the Roads roll of honour this weekend at Ballincurrig.

No bowler in the 28-year history of the classic has performed with the same consistent excellence as Murphy. It does not mean he is invincible though — Christy Mullins showed in this year’s Munster semi-final and Conor McGuigan did likewise in last year’s All-Ireland final. But it’s going to be a huge ask for anyone to beat him.

McGuigan and German champion Robert Djuren will be trying to knock him from his pedestal in the second of Saturday’s semi-finals. McGuigan has grown in stature since his win over Murphy in last year’s All-Ireland, but even more so through the manner of his challenge to Martin Coppinger this year. Djuren is probably not as strong a challenger as Ralf Rocker but as German champion, he will be respected.