Mallon won the duel in 2019, relieving Tulk of the crown she won in 2018. When Mallon and Tulk meet, you are guaranteed a classic.
The undisputed champions of Europe, Kelly Mallon wearer of the orange of Armagh and Dutch uber star Silke Tulk face the aptly named Martina Goldenstein from Germany. Orange colours the Kingston New Homes Queen of the Roads final too. The short-odds bet, McDonagh and Mackle to make the final, with McDonagh reversing his defeat of 2018. David Murphy may have benefitted from low levels of activity during Covid to get rid of niggling injuries, but will he have the sharpness needed? He set a blistering early pace and had the contest out of Cathal Toal’s reach after just three throws.
Mackle also comes to Ballincurrig with momentum, having won last Sunday’s Ulster final. In this, his first senior outing, he will need his A-game to beat David Murphy and Thomas Mackle, each the holder of four titles. Jochem Wennink has good history in Ballincurrig, being part of the Dutch team to win the first Youth International Triple Crown in 2013, a win he followed by victory at the international event in Skibbereen the following year.