Doubles delight for McLoughlin & McMorrow
Sligo handball supporters finally had something to celebrate with the Sligo doubles pairing of John McLoughlin & Michael McMorrow dramatic win over Kilkenny’s Jim Dooley & Gerry Murphy in the Emerald Masters B doubles final played in Crinkle on Friday evening last.
The Kilkenny men went in as favourites but the Yeats County men matched them all the way before killing off Kilkenny’s fight back with a stunning finish, writes Michael McGee
It was the Connacht Champions that got of to a flying start with an opening 7 point salvo. Kilkenny’s Dooley & Murphy hit back almost immediately to reduce Sligo’s lead to 7-3. McMorrow and in particular the influential John McLoughlin hit the front and with some expert finishing and held a 15-7 advantage. Kilkenny came more into the game but McLoughlin & McMorrow held firm eventually wrapping up game 1 comfortably by 21-12.
Kilkenny settled quickly in the 2nd and piled on the pressure on McMorrow & McLoughlin when leading by 12-7. The Sligo men recovered well and fought back to be on level terms at 17. However they could not add to their tally despite opportunity’s coming their way. It was Kilkenny that finished strongly bringing the final to a deciding 3rd game.
In the final game the powerfully built McMorrow began to bombard the Kilkenny men with some thundering kills and working well inside. John McLoughlin’s great defensive play and long overhand returns put Sligo into the driving seat when leading by 8-0. Kilkenny threatened with 4 points to keep them in the contest. McLoughlin’s pinpoint serving to Dooley’s right side opened up Kilkenny’s frailties and into a commanding 18-13 lead. Kilkenny’s last throw of the dice came with 2 serves. Two long rallies was played out with Kilkenny’s brave last stand came to nought with McLoughlin 2 deadly kills in response coolness personified from the Collooney club man . McMorrow delivered the killer blows with 3 precision aces to Murphy’s left side that the Kilkenny man didn’t return.
It was the first ever handball titles for the Sligo stalwarts and richly deserved after many years of heartbreak their persistence finally rewarded with All-Ireland medals
Martin Donnelly All-Ireland 60 x 30 championships played in Crinkle Friday evening
Emerald Masters B doubles final: John McLoughlin & Michael McMorrow (Sligo) dft Jim Dooley & Gerry Murphy (Kilkenny) 21-12, 17-21, 21-13
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