Francis McCann Connacht Masters player of the Year

Ballymote's Francis McCann Connacht Handball Masters Player of the Year for 2011


Francis McCann Connacht Master player of the Year

At last week's Connacht Handball Council meeting Ballymote's Francis McCann was selected by the Province for the "Masters player of the Year" Award. McCann had an excellent year in the handball courts culminating in winning Connacht and that never to be forgotten All-Ireland Golden Masters A singles final on Sunday 25th September last defeating Cavan's Mickeleen Brady by 21-11, 21-13. It was McCann's 17th All-Ireland handball title in an outstanding handball career. McCann won his first All-Ireland winning the minor doubles title with club mate Michael Porter in 1977. McCann is the only nominee from Sligo. McCann is in line to be awarded the National Handball Masters player of the Year award which will take place in Croke Park on Saturday November 19th next.

Sligo Juvenile 60 x 30 championships played in Collooney & Ballymote on Saturday
U-12 singles final: Odhran Quinn (Castleconnor) dft Vincent Harte (Collooney) 15-7, 15-9
U-14 singles final: Ross Taheny (Collooney) dft Brendan Foody (Castleocnnor) 15-7, 15-14
U-14 doubles final: Jonathon Devaney & Conor Booth (Ballymote) dft Brendan Foody & Sean Carabine (Castleconnor) 15-8, 15-1

Sligo Juvenile 60 X 30 Championships draws at 2.30 pm in Collooney & Ballymote

Sligo Juvenile 60 X 30 Championships to be played in Collooney & Ballymote on Saturday.


BOYS UNDER 12 SINGLES:
PRELIMNARY ROUND MATCH.

(A) Aaron Bruen (Collooney) v Jack Branley (Collooney)
QUARTER FINALS:
(B) Winner A v Ordhain Quinn (Castleconnor)
(C) Dara Connolly (Collooney) v Tony Fox (Collooney)
(D) Diarmaid Harte (Collooney) v Ross Trill (Collooney)
(E) Dara Lougheade (Collooney) v Vincent Harte (Collooney)
SEMI FINALS:
(F) Winner B v Winner C
(G) Winner D v Winner E
FINAL:
Winner F v Winner G

BOYS UNDER 14 SINGLES:
QUARTER FINALS:
(1) Brendan Foody (Castleconnor) v Mathew Cunnane (Ballymote)
(2) Sean Carabine (Castleconnor) v Connor Booth (Ballymote)
(3) Jonathan Devaney (Ballymote) v Cathal O' Dowd (Ballymote)
(4) Ross Taheny (Collooney) A Bye
SEMI FINALS:
(5) Winner 1 v Winner 2
(6) Winner 3 v Winner 4
FINAL:
Winner 5 v Winner 6

BOYS UNDER 16 SINGLES:

a) Stanley Harte (Collooney) v Shane Wright (Castleconnor) (At Collooney on Saturday)
(b) Pat Fox (Collooney) v Sean Golden (Ballymote) (At Ballymote on Saturday
(c) Jason Earlis (Castleconnor) v Padraig O' Dowd (Ballymote)(At Ballymote on Saturday)
(d) Noel M c Loughlin (Castleconnor) v Tommy Trill (Collooney)At Collooney on Saturday)


SEMI FINALS:
E) Winner A V Winner B
(F) Winner C V Winner D

FINAL:
Winner E V Winner F





BOYS UNDER 12 DOUBLES FINAL:
Castleconnor v Collooney

BOYS UNDER 14 DOUBLES ROUND ROBIN:
Ballymote v Collooney
Collooney v Castleconnor
Ballymote v Castleconnor

BOYS UNDER 16 DOUBLES final:
Collooney v Casleconnor

The U-12 singles will look to go ahead in Collooney on Saturday morning. Ballymote will host the U-14 singles on Saturday afternoon and the Boys U-16 singles to be played in Collooney mid week

Simple Green U.S. Open of Handball Fountain Valley California starts October 20th

Broadcast Schedule

Naty Alvarado, Handball's Greatest National Champion, Honored at the Simple Green US Open of Handball

Fountain Valley, California - October, 18 2011 - The Simple Green US Open of Handball and World Players of Handball Race4Eight Pro Series will be in Fountain Valley, CA, at Los Caballeros Sports Village October 20th-23rd, 2011 and the action is free to the public. You can watch the best players in the world in the comfort of your own home if you cannot make it to the event, for a fee, at www.race4eight.com.

Naty Alvarado Sr, highly regarded as the sport's greatest champion, will be on hand as players, spectators and fans honor today's new generation of top talent; while recognizing the game's lush history. Nearly 300 players from five foreign countries and nearly all 50 states will compete in the four-day spectacle. The current top eight players in the Race-4-Eight cup series; to include 9-time national champion, David Chapman, and current points leader, Luis Moreno, will vie for ranking points and the huge cash purse; plus will gather Race points (handball's equivalent of the Fed Ex or Nextel Cup) in an attempt to be named to the player championships in May of 2012.

Paul Brady (IRE), six time national champion and winner of two previous US Open events, will make the trek to sunny Southern California; meanwhile, future hall of famer, John Bike, will be looking for a trophy. Last year's winner, Allan Garner (San Antonio, TX), will be the men's #1 seed, as Aisling Reilly (IRE) will be atop the women's pro bracket.

There will be camera crews on site capturing the action and streaming the feed across the Internet at www.race4eight.com, as the Simple Green US Open is stop #2 in the WPH Race series. "We have the game's greatest personalities and champions on hand," claims WPH Executive Director, David Vincent. "You are invited to see the world's first extreme sport by either watching at home through race4eight.com or by simply coming down to the facility. You will not believe what we have in store for you!"
Los Caballeros: This sports mega complex is on Newhope Drive in Fountain Valley, CA, and will be the site of the 5th US Open: www.loscab.com Simple Green: Online at www.simplegreen.com
US Open: Now in it's 5th year, the US Open has routinely crowned the very best in the game (of all ages)
World Players of Handball: Growing the sports through innovation. Watch the coverage LIVE at www.race4eight.com
USHA: The premier organization and governing body of the sport. On-line at www.ushandball.org
# # #



David Charles Vincent
Executive Director
WPH
3544 E. Ft. Lowell Rd.
Tucson, AZ
85716

(520)-289-8230

Odhran Quinn Connacht Juvenile B 60 x 30 U-12 singles champion with Mayo's Canice Bennett runner-up

Gallant runners-up Sean Carrabine & Brendan Foody who suffered an agonizing 1 point defeat at the hands of Mayo's Cathal Brohan & Patrick Murphy

Collooney's Tony Fox & Vincent Harte runners-up in Connacht Juvenile B championships 60x 30 U-12 Doubles final



Quinn is Connacht Champion
Odhran Quinn from the Castleconnor Club was Sligo’s only success in the Connacht Juvenile B 60 x 30 Championships finals played in Williamstown and Ballymoe on Saturday last.

Quinn defeated Galway’s Eoin Greally in the semi-final of the Boys U-12 singles in straight games. In the final Quinn powered his way to exciting 15-6, 15-7 win over Canice Bennett from Mayo.

Sligo’s young handball players appeared in 3 more finals. Brendan Foody & Sean Carrabine also from the Castleconnor club had an agonizing 1 point defeat in the final of the Boys U-13 doubles. Foody & Carrabine lost the 1st game to Mayo’s Cathal Brohan & Patrick Murphy. The Castleconnor duo stormed back to take the 2nd only allowing their Mayo opponents 1 ace. In the tie breaker Foody & Carrabine suffered a heartbreaking 1 point defeat after 3 thrilling games.
Tony Fox & Vincent Harte both from the Collooney club reached the Boys U-12 doubles final but had to settle for silver against Mayo and Charlestown club players in Conor Maye & Mattew Leneghan by 4-15, 5-15. Catrionia Swift Castleconnor was defeated in the Girls U-14 final by Mayo’s Tara Gibbons.

Neary & Hughes clinch McDermott Cup in Crossakiel

Neary & Hughes clinch McDermott Cup in Crossakiel
Ciaran Neary & Peter Hughes overcame the brave challenge of Leitrim’s Jamie Murray & Martin Raftery to win a captivating McDermott Cup final, writes Michael McGee


The Crossakiel Club brought down the calendar on a memorable 60 x 30 season. Kilkenny’s Ciaran Neary & Peter Hughes Wexford teamed up to win the 2nd Annual McDermott Cup doubles competition for Junior/Masters players on Sunday 9th October last. Teams from Leitrim, Galway, Kilkenny, Wexford, Kerry, Louth and Meath took part. Dan Riordan made the longest journey to the Meath venue when travelling all the way from Kerry to the tournament.
The Juvenile tournament took place the previous day and resulted in wins for Leah Doyle in the Girls U-12 round robin. Conor Farrell & Donal Farrelly were victorious in the Boys U-12 doubles while Christopher Clinton & Peter Smith took home the Boys U14 doubles trophies.
Sunday’s action got underway at 10 am in the Crossakiel & Kells courts. Leitrim’s Jamie Murray & Martin Raftery had an early start and was first into action against local pairing Pat McCabe & Richard Farrell. They eased their way into the quarter final with an effortless display. Leitrim’s 2nd paring of Eddie Lee & Donal Wrynn were in action in Kells at the same time. Unfortunately for the Connacht men they had to settle for second on this occasion against the formidable Anthony McConnell & Jimmy Reilly from the Kells Club. Back in Crossakiel Steven Quinn & Mark Farrell were expected to do well against Evan Sheridan & Robert Fox. Sheridan just 15 years of age the previous day won the Junior Colleges All-Ireland singles final in front of the large home support in Kells. Son of the legendary Tom Sheridan the talented Kells teenager is quickly following in his famous father’s footsteps. Robert Fox & John McGovern made it a doubles for Kells in the Junior Doubles final. Sheridan’s display against Quinn & Farrell was very impressive. Along with Fox they shocked the Crossakiel duo winning by 31-27. Ciaran Neary & Peter Hughes defeated last year’s runners up in Christy McGovern & John “Boy” Molloy Kells on a score line of 31-21. Dan Riordan partnered local player Cyril Fitzsimons to beat John & Vinny Farrell. The 1st quarter final proved very close with Jamie Murray & Martin Raftery just holding on against Peter Reilly & Joe Cummins from Kells. Jimmy Reilly & Anthony McConnell beat Galway’s Pat Conway & Declan Connaughton 31-21. Evan Sheridan & Robert Fox outclassed Dan Riordan & Chris Fitzsimons in straight games. However their great run ended at the hands of Murray & Raftery at the semi-final stage. Ciaran Neary & Peter Hughes had a surprisingly comfortable win over Jimmy Reilly & Anthony McConnell in the second semi final. In the plate final Leitrim’s Eddie Lee & Donal Wrynn took on Kells men Peter Reilly & Joe Cummins. The Meath men took an 11-3 lead and were cruising at this stage. However 17 y.o. Donal Wrynn playing on the right and the left handed Eddie Lee fought back in accomplished fashion drawing level at 11 and again at 12. Leitrim then surged well clear to take game 1 by 21-12. The second game was thoroughly enjoyable with both teams level on 4 occasions at 12,13,16 & 18. Reilly this year’s Intermediate doubles runner up using all his experience got important winners to Lee’s left side with some rasping passing shots. Wrynn gave a wonderful display throughout. The Leitrim minor footballer displaying high octane levels as he covered every inch of the Crossakiel court. Despite this the Kells men took game 2 by 21-18. In the tie breaker Reilly & Cummins broke the Leitrim pair’s resolve when striding to a 21-5 win. Just before the McDermott Cup the final of the U17 doubles took place James Baugh & John McGovern were successful wining in 2 games over John Reilly & Ricky McDermott.

Neary & Hughes hold off a determined Leitrim fightback

In the final of the McDermott Cup Ciaran Neary & Peter Hughes faced Leitrim’s Jamie Murray & Martin Raftery who recently won the All-Ireland Junior B doubles title. Neary the natural left handed player was outstanding and with Hughes playing solidly on the right they tore Leitrim apart winning by 21-7 in the opening game. Murray & Raftery battled hardened from their successful doubles campaign threw down the gauntlet in the second and brought the fight to Neary & Hughes. Raftery the “ Ray Houghton” in stature played with spirited passion and Murray a man mountain on the right determined, mixing drive with a gutsy performance. The Leitrim lions roared back into contention no corner was given or asked as both teams worked hard. In a battling contest both teams were level at 8,13 & 15. Raftery played superbly on the left and on many occasions went over to help out the overworked Murray on the right. In an absorbing 2nd game Leitrim had the strength to hold off a dogged fight back from the Kilkenny/Wexford duo to win by 21-17. In the tie breaker Leitrim went into an 6-2 lead. Neary as cool as they come, from the famous Talbot’s Inch Club stamped his authority on the game when drawing the teams level at 10-10. He was deadly accurate close to the front wall time and time again rolled out winners in the left corner. Raftery was full of running and he expelled every ounce of energy to keep the Leitrim men in it. Murray was put under pressure with Hughes pinning him in the right corner with accurate winners on a number of occasions. Luck finally ran out on the Leitrim men with the inspired Neary and Hughes putting points on the board. There was nothing that Murray & Raftery could do to stop them. The tide turned in Neary’s & Hughes favour before pressing on to win a memorable final by 21-11.
The Presentations took place soon after and club chairman Steven Quinn thanked the support of the Committee and players & Kells Handball Club. Fergal McCabe was also thanked for the refreshments for the Juveniles. Fenian Reilly for his sponsorship and to Jacquie, Valerie & Lisa Quinn for providing the food and refreshments on the day. Neary’s & Hughes success in Crossakiel was a fitting end to an excellent year in the 60 x 30 courts.
McDermott Cup final: Ciaran Neary & Peter Hughes Kilkenny/Wexford) dft Jamie Murray & Martin Raftery (Leitrim) 21-7, 17-21, 21-11
Plate final: Peter Reilly & Joe Cummins (Meath) dft Eddie Lee & Donal Wrynn (Leitrim) 21-12, 19-21, 21-5

McCann & Fox celebrate Hannon Cup win

Patrick Fox & Francis McCann Hannon Cup champions for 2011

Joe Dowling & Larry Jones Hannon Cup runners-up 2011

Martin Golden & Tom Foody plate winners

Tommy Trill & Stanley Harte Jnr plate runners-up

Group photo at Michael Hannon Cup in Ballymote 2011

McCann & Fox celebrate Hannon Cup win
The Ballymote club who celebrated its centenary last year hosted the annual Michael Hannon Cup 60 x 30 doubles tournament. Sixteen players from Mayo & Sligo took part. Ballymote's Francis Mc Cann who won the All-Ireland Golden Masters A singles title the previous week was in tremendous form again as he and 16 y.o. Patrick Fox from the Collooney club eased into the final. In the final they faced Ballaghadereen's Joe Dowling also a recent All-Ireland 60 x 30 singles champion and Larry Jones from the Castleconnor club. In a very close and exciting final it was McCann & Fox that prevailed winning by 31-27. Former Irish Handball President Tony Hannon presented the winners and runners-up with their awards. In the plate final McCann's clubmate Martin Golden teamed with Castleconnor's Tom Foody as the duo had a comfortable win over Tommy Trill & Stanley Harte Junior both 16 from the Collooney club by 31-15. Next year the club will celebrate the 25th Annual Michael Hannon Cup competition.