Road Bowling: O’Connell-Dullea Cup is first big win of the year for O’Donovan

James O’Donovan got his first big win of 2026 when he beat Aidan Murphy by a bowl in the O’Connell-Dullea Cup at Ballygurteen.

James O’Donovan got his first big win of 2026 when he beat Aidan Murphy by a bowl in the O’Connell-Dullea Cup at Ballygurteen.

They both made light in two great bowls, with Murphy winning both. He stayed just in front in the next three to the women’s lane.

He increased his lead to 60m with his next one and led well down the straight. O’Donovan then played two big shots in succession to light past O’Donovan’s to win his first lead by 20m and he was not headed again.

There was just two metres between them after the next exchange to Burke’s. O’Donovan went past O’Mahony’s in two more to extend his lead to almost a bowl.

He went past the bridge with his next one. Murphy missed this by 30m to fall a bowl behind and he could not rescue the situation after that.

Liam Murphy scored a last shot win over Cian Boyle in the Josie Crean Cup at Whitechurch. He looked a clear winner for the middle third of the score, but had to fend off a late challenge from Boyle.

He won the first two tips, but Boyle led with a big third shot from Kelly’s for his only lead. Murphy then played two big shots to the end of the wall. Boyle replied with three poor shots in succession to fall almost two bowls behind.

Murphy still had over a bowl at Boula Lane. Boyle knocked the bowl with a great throw to Downey’s, but Murphy immediately raised it again.

Boyle got back into it with a massive bowl past the farm towards the Devil’s bend. He could not get in front though and Murphy saw it out comfortably in the last shot.

An unbelievable 13th bowl to just short of the line was instrumental in James O’Sullivan’s win over Kenneth Murphy in the Ballinacurra tournament. Up to that point the contest was on a knife-edge. They were through Brinny cross in four each with Murphy three metres fore.

O’Sullivan went well past the waterworks in two more to edge in front. He came out well on top in the next two to lead by 100m at the crush. Murphy levelled with a brilliant bowl to the ball-alley and led with his next one towards the bridge.

After two more past the novice D line Murphy led by three metres. O’Sullivan then played the bowl of the day towards the line. Murphy missed that by 70m and could not do enough with his last one.

David Hegarty beat Noel O’Regan by a bowl in the Jasper Coleman Cup at Shannonvale. He won the first shot well and increased his odds past the quarry. He had a bowl of odds at Desmond’s. O’Regan closed the gap from there, but Hegarty restored the bowl at Campbells’ lane and increased his lead to the line.

John-Anthony Murphy qualified for the Derrinasafa final at the expense of John Cahalane. He was just shy of Ross’s in six where he raised a bowl. Cahalane bowled well to cut the odds to 60m at the palms. Murphy regained the bowl with a brilliant shot to the Darkwood turn. He had close to two bowls at Walsh’s lane and raised the second bowl with his 14th one to O’Grady’s.

Brendan Crowley and Gavin Crowley will contest the Coachman’s Cup final at Bauravilla. Brendan beat Alan Keane by a bowl in his semi-final. He built up a steady lead in the early exchanges to lead by almost a bowl at the netting. He raised a bowl at Dekkers, but Keane closed the gap to just 15m. Crowley pushed clear again and won by almost two bowls.

Gavin Crowley gave a five star performance in his runaway win over James Murphy.

He raced well over a bowl clear by making the bridge in three. He had it wrapped up in three more to the rock, where he had close to three bowls of odds.

Darragh Dempsey was too strong for Donie Harnedy at the Marsh Road. Harnedy made a promising start to lead well after three. Dempsey won the lead with a big fourth shot and he quickly took over. He led by a bowl at the council yard and by two at the steps. He was three in front at Ballyhilty.

Eight-year-old Tayler Lucey was top of the class in the girls U10 section at the Ted Hegarty academy. Fionnán Twohig was brilliant too in the boys U14.