Arthur McDonagh leaves it late to thwart Michael Harrington in thrilling duel

THRILLER: Arthur McDonagh only got up in the last shot after a brilliant joust with Michael Harrington. File pic: David Keane.

The dress rehearsal turned into a full blown battle for survival as Arthur McDonagh only got up in the last shot after a brilliant joust with Michael Harrington in the opening tie of the 2023 Munster senior championship at Ballincurrig.

Harrington showed no rustiness from being absent from the championship for three years. He opened the contest with a sensational bowl to the first bend, which gave him the first lead and set the tone for the score. McDonagh won the lead with his third. Harrington hit back with two sensational bowls, the first to the creamery and the second past the no-play line. McDonagh was just shy of the line in five too, but he followed with two poor shots to fall a bowl behind.