Road bowling: Rafferty adds Joe McVeigh Cup with win over Murphy

Rafferty may have lived under the shadow of his uncle and all-time great, Michael Toal, and his first-cousin Thomas Mackle, but is now the real deal. Pic: INPHO/Tom Honan

Colm Rafferty’s elite bowling currency surged with a comprehensive win over David Murphy in the Joe McVeigh Cup final at Ból-Fada in Keady-Tassagh on Sunday.

In 2024 he won the Ulster, All-Ireland, King of the Roads titles and has now turned the 2025 page by capturing the first classic of the season. In the pinch battles he has lowered the colours of four All-Ireland champions Thomas Mackle, Martin Coppinger, Arthur McDonagh and David Murphy and two European champions William Hobbelink (Netherlands) and Murphy.