Sligo's John McLoughlin & Michael McMorrow picturs with Eamon Spillane & Gerry Foley Tipperary
McMorrow stars for Sligo in handball doubles win
Michael McMorrow was the star for the Sligo handballers on Sunday when he and doubles partner John McLoughlin reached this year’s Emerald Masters B doubles All-Ireland final with an impressive 21-12, 21-13 victory over Tipperary’s Eamon Spillane & Gerry Foley played in Collooney writes Michael McGee.
Tipperary held an early 7-3 advantage. McMorrow & McLoughlin found their range and levelled soon after. The Sligo men went out in front by 14-7 with McMorrow particularly effective on the left. The Tipperary men pushed hard and were within reach when only 11-15 behind. McMorrow came into his own with a number of important winning scores helping Sligo to an opening 21-12 win in game 1. Into the second McMorrow & McLoughlin raced into a 9-0 lead. Again Tipperary came more into the contest with an 8 point reply of their own.. John McLoughlin was making his presence felt with some great defensive play and rowed in with a number of important kills into both corners. The Sligo men had Tipperary on the ropes and eventually delivered the knockout blow winning by 21-13. McMorrow & McLoughlin will now face Kilkenny’s Gerry Murphy & Jim Dooley in the final.
McCann & McGarry’s brave bid falls short
Unfortunately there wasn’t a doubles success for the second Sligo doubles pair of Francis McCann & Hugh McGarry. The duo came up against a very strong pairing of Tony O’ Flaherty & Pat Griffin of Tipperary in the Golden Masters A doubles semi-final. The contest was played in a high tempo all throughout. Their cause wasn’t helped when they fell 10-0 behind in the opening skirmishes. The tall and athletic looking Tony O’ Flaherty with his great left handed high lobbing serves to Hugh McGarry’s right corner was posing problems for the Sligo men. McGarry & McCann battled back well to be 14-8 behind. Tipperary’s Pat Griffin on the right was very assured throughout. It was a fantastic marathon battle throughout with excellent passages of play long rallies, top drawer kills and wonderful athleticism especially from Francis McCann who gave a master class display throughout. Tipperary held an 17-11 advantage but the Sligo men gritted their teeth working hard to draw level at 17 and taking the lead. Tipperary hit back at 18. Tipperary finished the stronger taking game 1 by 21-18. Into the second game scores were level at 4 & 5. All 4 players displaying high energy levels with Sligo’s Francis McCann delivering a lung bursting performance as he covered every inch of the Sligo court. It was an outstanding display from the Ballymote man. The Tipperary men always had that little bit extra however, even though McGarry & McCann gave every ounce of effort for the cause. The nearest the Sligo men could get to Tipperary was when they were 8-11 behind. Sligo would register 3 further scores as Tipperary finished strongly winning an exciting 2nd game and match by 21-13.
Emerald Masters B Doubles: Sligo (Michael McMorrow/John McLoughlin) bt Tipperary (Eamon Spillane/Gerry Foley) 21-12, 21-13
Golden Masters A Doubles: Sligo (Francis McCann/Hugh McGarry) lost to Tipperary(Tony O'Flaherty/Pat Griffin) 18-21, 13-21
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All-Ireland Juvenile Championships 60 x 30 semi-finals
Saturday August 27th in Hospital Co. Limerick at 12 noon.
Girls 15 Singles: Marianna Foody (Sligo) lost to Anna Prendeville (Kerry) 7-15, 11-15
Boys 15 Doubles: Stanley Harte & Jason Earlis (Sligo) lost to Jamie Joyce & Ciaran O’Neill (Waterford) 15-6, 5-15, 14-15
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