13-07-2025
Road bowling: Armagh footballer Ethan Rafferty wins historic All-Ireland senior title
Ethan Rafferty created his own page in the annals of legendary sporting achievements when he beat Arthur McDonagh in Sunday's All-Ireland bowling final at Castletownkenneigh.
The Armagh intercounty football goalkeeper, became the first bowler to win All-Ireland intermediate and senior titles in successive years. Both embellished by some extraordinary bowling.
He also completed an Ulster four-in-a-row for the Hughie Traynor Cup.
The first two wins in the sequence were by his first-cousin, Thomas Mackle, the next by his brother Colm.
The score hardly went to script, but managed to create a unique narrative of its own. Even Rafferty's strongest advocates would have predicted a start-to-finish lead.
Who would have predicted that Rafferty would get one of the longest first shots on record and that he would get an almost equally extraordinary bowl to Forshins' cross two years in succession?
McDonagh opened with a fast bowl, but it turned in at the blue house. Rafferty responded with a sensational bowl that raced all the way to the railing.
Huge congratulations to Ethan Rafferty who is the All Ireland Senior Road Bowls Champion. An incredible achievement, well done Ethan! Comhghairdeas!🏆👏🏻 — GrangeGFC (@GrangeGFC) July 13, 2025
In a single act, he had opened up a huge lead. McDonagh beat that by just 50m with his second bowl.
Before we could settle our thoughts, Rafferty sent his second bowl into the right, handing what looked the perfect opening to McDonagh. McDonagh got an even shorter one in reply, driving his one left. In the days and weeks ahead, this is the 'what-if' moment that will haunt McDonagh.
Rafferty gained close to a bowl of odds after three big shots past the round tower cross. He then played one of the biggest shots of the day, up the rise towards Pyne's. McDonagh beat it by 40m. Rafferty got another good bowl past Pyne's.
In response, McDonagh lofted beautifully and cannoned his bowl off the wall to keep the lead well under a bowl.
Conor Geaney of Kerry has his shot saved by Armagh goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty. Pic: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
Rafferty finally raised the bowl in the shots into the netting. He increased his lead up to Fehilly's lane. McDonagh narrowly missed Forshins' cross next. Rafferty played an absolutely perfect bowl that went all the way to the cross and he was now virtually two bowls clear.
From what looked a totally lost situation, McDonagh put in huge finish, drawing the very best out of Rafferty.
McDonagh lofted the cross, then played a huge bowl onto the straight, followed by a monster bowl towards the line.
Any slip and Rafferty would be in trouble.
Tight days in Clones and Croke Park may have helped him to stay grounded in the face of that assault.
Not only that, but, he produced a scintillating last shot to keep his lead over a bowl.
