Thomas Mackle and Killian Kingston set for battle royal at Lyre

A new name will adorn the Hughie Traynor Cup Sunday after the meeting of Thomas Mackle and Killian Kingston in the All-Ireland senior final at Lyre near Clonakilty.

These are the Young Turks of Irish bowling, both in their early 20s and oozing with talent and ambition. For two young players they have a long rivalry, starting with Kingston’s win in the All- Ireland u12 final on his home road, Ballincurrig, in 2003. In 2009 Mackle turned the tables in the u18 final at Tassagh.

Ulster champion, Mackle, is contesting his second senior final having lost to David Murphy at Port Mór – Blackwatertown last year. Murphy won that well. Mackle has twice reversed that result, most impressively in last year’s King of the Roads final, where he was absolutely brilliant. He followed up by beating Murphy again in the Joe McVeigh Cup final in Keady at Easter.