O’Callaghan captures Clash Awards Cup after three-hand final at Ballinacurra

Meanwhile, Silke Tulk has qualified for an incredible 17th successive Queen of the Roads.

Andrew O'Callaghan grabbed control through a scintillating four-shot opening salvo to the waterworks.

Andrew O’Callaghan bowled brilliantly to capture the Clash Awards Cup at Ballinacurra where he defeated Denis Wilmot and David Hegarty in a three-hand final.

He grabbed control through a scintillating four-shot opening salvo to the waterworks.

His massive second bowl to the pedestrian crossing had him well clear.

Wilmot and Hegarty were just shy of Brinny cross in three, while O’Callaghan went past it to increase his lead.

The other two made the church next, with Wilmot holding a good advantage on Hegarty. O’Callaghan hit back with a sensational bowl past Foley’s to the waterworks.

That bowl put him over a bowl fore of Hegarty and just five metres shy of a bowl on Wilmot.

Wilmot made Brinny House in two more to keep the lead under a bowl. A big eighth shot from Hegarty kept him in touch too. O’Callaghan defended his lead with a big bowl to the GAA. Wilmot and Hegarty also got good throws to there.

All three made the silver gate in two more, with Wilmot still holding O’Callaghan’s lead to less than a bowl.

O’Callaghan played a brilliant tenth shot onto the straight after both his opponents had narrowly missed light. He followed with two brilliant bowls to the avenue which ended the contest. Wilmot finished second, a shot ahead of Hegarty.

Silke Tulk has qualified for an incredible 17th successive Queen of the Roads. She sealed the Dutch “Champions tour” title last Saturday with five wins from six starts. William Hobbelink returns as the Dutch representative in King of the Roads. He won the men’s national title, edging out last year’s winner, Patrick Zieverink.

Lotte Telgenhof oude Koehorst is U18 girls Dutch champion, which secures her a record third shot at the Youth Triple Crown. Her 2026 team-mate is the newly crowned Dutch U18 youth champion, Mike Scholtenhave.

Ger O’Driscoll beat James O’Sullivan in the last shot of a tremendous Hancy Hubbard Cup tie at Béal na Marbh. He won the first tip by 40m and reached the cottage in two more to raise almost a bowl.

O’Sullivan played two huge shots past the rock to cut O’Driscoll’s lead to just a metre. He finally gained a fore bowl with his eighth throw onto the straight. He held the lead in the next three to the end of the straight. He was still in front after two more towards the novice finish.

O’Driscoll shaded the next two towards the line. O’Sullivan missed the line with his last one and O’Driscoll beat it well.

Jimmy O’Driscoll beat Liam Murphy at Grange. Three huge bowls to light at the stud farm gave him a bowl of odds start. Murphy levelled in the shots past Holland’s and onto de Barra’s. O’Driscoll pushed clear again towards Hodnett’s and won by two bowls.

Michael-John O’Brien beat David Shannon in the last shot at Rosscarbery. He led by a bowl at Barry’s boreen and was still a bowl clear at Cahermore cross. Shannon did better in the run-in to force a last shot.

Sidney Shannon and Brendan O’Driscoll had wins at Bauravilla. Shannon beat Shane McCarthy in the last shot of a tight contest.

He led by 20m after six to the netting. McCarthy had a five-metre lead after nine to the rock.

After 13 to the bridge Shannon led by just three metres.

O’Driscoll beat Mark Shannon by a bowl. Shannon was a bowl in front at the rock and conceded the lead for the first time at the netting. O’Driscoll had 30m odds at Robin’s cross and raised a bowl to the line.

The Ard Chomhairle of Ból Chumann na hÉireann has approved an additional weekend dedicated to U12 and U14 boys and girls individual and team All-Ireland finals.

It will be hosted at an Ulster venue on August 15 and 16. From 2027, it will alternate between Munster on the May bank holiday in the North and in Ulster on the June bank holiday in the South.

Each province will have two teams of four boys and four girls in both age groups. As 2026 hosts, Ulster will implement the European championship model of the metre-stick penalty.

The individual girls All-Irelands will have newly commissioned cups — the Johnny Creedon Cup for U14 and the Aidan Toal Cup for U12.

The Michael Cusack Cup and John Enright Shield, which were suspended during covid, will be revived as team events aimed at the weaker regions.

The Cusack Cup is for men and the Enright Shield for women.

At the Ted Hegarty Academy, Luka Barry was outstanding in the U14 section, while Fionnán Dwyer shone at U8.