Armagh's Rafferty set for busy weekend as 'keeper forced to balance bowling and football commitments

DOUBLE-JOBBING: Armagh’s goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty and Patrick Finnegan of Antrim. Pic: James Crombie, Inpho

Armagh’s Ethan Rafferty will have two All-Ireland engagements on the same weekend, one in Dublin and one in Cork, following his emphatic victory in last night’s Ulster Intermediate bowling final at Keady-Tassagh.

He was Armagh’s flamboyant goalie until an injury ended his season in 2023. He is still a key member of that panel, which takes on Kerry in the All-Ireland football semi-final in Croke Park on Saturday week.

He will have to switch boots, sport and mindset once the final whistle blows. He will be facing into an equally daunting challenge against Tommy O’Sullivan in the All-Ireland Intermediate bowling final at Castletownkenneigh less than 24 hours later.

In Wednesday’s Ulster final he put in a huge performance in easily beating Paul O’Reilly over the Ból-Fada course at Keady-Tassagh.

O’Reilly was well up for this challenge winning the first two shots to O’Hanlon’s lane. 

Rafferty fundamentally changed the direction of things with a massive bowl towards Twynam’s corner that gave him an 80m lead.

O’Reilly pressed well in the next two shots past Twynam’s, but Rafferty held a solid lead. Rafferty’s superior power hurled him a bowl of odds clear after seven to the creamery lane. He made light at McCann’s in three more good shots. 

O’Reilly was too tight with his 12th bowl there and missed Rafferty’s tip to fall two bowls behind.

O’Reilly got two big shots in succession down past the carnival gates to bring the lead just under two bowls. 

Any lingering hopes of a late rally were quickly despatched though as Rafferty made McKee’s wall with his next one to take his lead well over two bowls again.