Mackle retains bowling crown after Murphy succumbs to injury 

Ballincurrig saw the shortest decider in the history of the premier grade.

Thomas Mackle ( Armagh ) in action during the Mens Senior All-Ireland Road Bowling final at Ballincurrig, Co Cork. Picture Dan Linehan

Thomas Mackle retained his All-Ireland senior bowling title at Ballincurrig in what became the shortest decider in the history of the premier grade when his opponent, David Murphy, had to concede due to injury after just four shots.

Mackle was trying to navigate a tightrope between elation and disappointment. The final was over before it had even left the station. All that psychological energy, that physical preparation he built up over the past few months still pent-up and barely called on. He had done what was asked of him in this truncated final. He had joined an elite club of players who retained the All-Ireland title, but he was denied something that would have franked his stature – victory over a fully fit and charged David Murphy.