Three way tie at top of Sligo Handball league table

Three way tie at top of Sligo Handball league table


There is a 3 way leadership at the top of the Sligo Handball team league table after round 3 of fixtures. Castleconnor B maintained their 100% record following their 83-40 victory over Collooney on Sunday. St. Mary’s also have full points from their 2 outings & joining them is Drumcliffe who beat Sligo I.T.on Wednesday evening last by 84-38.

Drumcliffe dft Sligo I.T. 84-38
Colin Slevin & Bill Carney (Drumcliffe) bt Aoife McDonagh & Niall Hunt (Sligo I.T.) 21-4, 21-10.
Ken Cunningham & Eamon Bellew (Drumcliffe) bt Amy Corrigan & Ciara McLoughlin (Sligo I.T.) 21-19, 21-9.

Drumcliff’s Colin Slevin & Bill Carney built up 30 point advantage at the end of the 1st doubles game and that was the platform for Drumcliffe as they finished strongly overall over a Sligo I.T. side that are still pointless after round 3.


Castleconnor B dft Collooney 83-40
Mark Murphy & Larry Jones (Castleconnor) dft Stanely Harte Snr & Michael Bruen (Collooney) 21-10, 2-9
Oisin Quinn & Joe Gorman (Castleconnor) dft Stanley Harte Jnr & Patrick Fox ( Collooney) 21-9, 21-20

Collooney lined out with father & son Stanley Harte Snr & Jnr but they could not stop a rampant Castleconnor side that are on top of the league table with two wins out of two. Castleconnor’s Mark Murphy gave a very solid performance in the 1st game alongside doubles partner Larry Jones. The Castleconnor men were never headed and dominated from start to finish. The duo helped Castleconnor into a 30 point advantage going into the last doubles. Even though Collooney’s Stanley Harte Jnr & Patrick Fox tried hard in their contest with Castleconnor’s Oisin Quinn & Joe Gorman. Castleconnor ran out deserving winners in the end.

Upcoming fixtures: Sligo Handball Team leagues Round 4
Sligo I.T. v Collooney Wednesaay 30th November in St. Mary’s at 8 p.m.

The Sligo Handball Board A.G.M. will be held on Wednesday December 7th next at 7.30 p.m. in the St. Mary’s Club meeting rooms. Cyril Feehily Sligo G.A.A Chairman will make G.A.A history when he will attend the Board’s AGM the first County G.A.A Chairman ever to do so.
After 3 years in the post Michael McGee has indicated that he will be stepping down from the Secretary’s role. The Collooney Club man is seeking the P.R.O. nomination. Clubs are asked to return their nomination papers to the Co. Secretary by Friday December 2nd.
The Connacht Handball Council are seeking entries for the 2012 Connacht handball 40 x 20 championships and clubs are asked to send in their entries to the County Secretary by Thursday 1st December.

Sligo Handball review of 2011

Our All-Ireland handball heroes: John McLoughlin, Michael McMorrow & Francis McCann


Sligo handballers enjoyed great success in the handball courts this year winning six Connacht Adult titles and the same number at Juvenile level. The County won 2 All-Ireland adult titles in September. Sligo Handball Secretary Michael McGee recalls the handball year in the Yeats County.

Sligo handball players shine

There was a notable double success for Sligo players within 48 hours of each other in a magical weekend for Sligo back in September. It was a particularly memorable occasion for John McLoughlin & Michael McMorrow in the Emerald Masters B doubles final. The Yeats County men faced Kilkenny and Leinster champions Jim Dooley & Gerry Murphy. The Sligo men took the opening game comfortably by 21-12. The Cat’s came back strongly in the second and levelled matters. McLoughlin & McMorrow held firm in the final game and played outstanding handball. Kilkenny tried desperately to come back from 13-18 behind. McLoughlin closed the door on any comeback with some sterling work and McMorrow finished in style with 3 winning aces. It was their first All-Ireland triumph after many years of heartbreak. That same weekend Francis McCann was in action in the Golden Masters A singles final in St. Coman’s Roscommon. Cavan’s Mickeleen Brady was McCann’s opponent. The Ballymote man was forced to pull out all the stops and play his best handball of the year before going onto to win the title on a 21-11, 21-13 score line. It was McCann’s 17th All-Ireland handball title title having won his first title a minor doubles with club mate Michael Porter way back in 1977. McCann received the Connacht Masters player of the year award at the annual Handball All-Star Awards evening in Croke Park on Saturday 19th November last. My congratulations to John McLoughlin, Michael McMorrow & Francis McCann on their outstanding achievements this year.

Historic meeting

Cyril Feehily created a little piece of G.A.A. history in Sligo when he became the first G.A.A. Chairman in Sligo to attend the monthly meeting of the Sligo Handball Board on Wednesday January 19th last. Cyril has a great interest in handball and follows closely handball events in the County. The Curry club man addressed the delegates at the meeting and asked for closer links between the two County Boards. Our delegates to the G.A.A. Co. Board monthly meetings Mark Murphy & Shane Bruen have worked hard to forge closer links to the parent body. And this was recognised by the Co. Board who generously sponsored County jerseys for our juvenile players. Indeed Cyril will create even more history when he will attend the Annual General Meeting of the Sligo Handball Board on Wednesday December 7th next. I know during the next 2 years of his Chairmanship, Cyril will be promoting handball in the County to reach even greater heights. His can do attitude is a source of great optimism to all of us involved in promoting handball here in Sligo.

McCann & McLoughlin win Gerard Jones Memorial Perpetual Cup

The Castleconnor club hosted the 17th Annual Gerard Jones Memorial Cup last January. Twenty-six players entered. Francis McCann & 14 y.o. Barry McLoughlin teamed up to win an exciting final by 31-25 over Stanley Harte & Michael Browne.

Six Juvenile Connacht titles come to Sligo


After another successful year our Juvenile players continue to impress and bring great honour to the County. Jason Earlis & Stanley Harte teamed up this year for the first time in the Connacht Boys U-15 doubles and the duo had an exciting victory over Mayo’s Alan Kelly & Nathan Massey by 11-15, 15-8, 11-2. There was heartbreak however for the Connacht champions as they suffered an agonizing 1 point defeat to Waterford’s Jamie Joyce & Ciaran O’Neil in the All-Ireland semi-final. Castleconnor’s Odhran Quinn became Connacht B champion at U-12 singles level. Quinn was impressive in his semi-final match and he powered his way home with a 15-6, 15-7 win over Mayo’s Canice Bennett. Odhran’s sister Aoife also enjoyed success in 2011 when as a member of the Connacht Girls Team of 10 that beat Munster in the final. Earlier in the season Quinn & Marianna Foody representing Convent of Mercy Ballina won the Girls 1st year Colleges Connacht doubles title. Another success for Castleconnor came in the form of Noel McLoughlin & Shane Wright in the Boys U-16 doubles final in the Connacht B final. The pair made all the running and in the end secured a hard fought win over Roscommon’s Stephen Regan & Ross Melvin by 21-15, 21-14.Sligo also claimed the U16/17 team of 4 Connacht title. Tommy Trill, Jason Earlis, Barry McLoughlin, Stanley Harte & Alan Gilmartin defeated Galway 60-42. The semi-final proved a match to far for the Sligo team as they went down to Tipperary the eventual champions.

Cully was the setting for the One-Wall Juvenile doubles championships as part of Curry’s 125 celebrations. Marie & Brendan Foody were successful in the U-13 doubles. Collooney’s Patrick Fox & Ross Taheny had a sensational win over Castleconnor’s Jason Earlis & Barry McLoughlin by 6-15, 15-10, 11-10 in an absorbing final. Tommy Trill & Stanley Harte overcame Shane Wright & Aoife Quinn in the U-17 doubles final.

Hannon Cup wins for McCann & Fox


Francis McCann & Patrick Fox just 16 y.o., took the 2011 Hannon Cup doubles tournament in Ballymote on Sunday October 2nd last. The due defeated Joe Dowling & Larry Jones in the final by 31-27. The plate final was won by Martin Golden & Tom Foody

Foody family success on the double

There was an historic family success for the Foody family when Brendan & Rachel Foody won their respective Boys & Girls U-14 doubles finals respectively at the Annual John Gaffney 60 x 30 Juvenile tournament. Their accomplishment was all the more remarkable considering the club do not have a 60 x 30 court of their own. Brendan Foody partnered Fenagh’s Cillian O’ Rourke to take the title over Jonathon Devaney & Patrick Murphy. Rachel Foody & Belcarra’s Shona Ruane defeated Rachel Doherty & Emma Cosgrove in the Girls final.

Foody, Earlis & Trill County 40 x 20 champions in 2011


Castleconnor hosted the Juvenile Co. Championships on Saturday 12th March. Brendan Foody came up against club mate Sean Carrabine. This was a very exciting contest with players deadlocked on 19-19 after the 15 minutes play. With 5 minutes extra to be played Foody prevailed to win the County title on a score line of 30-26

Jason Earlis was made to fight all the way before securing the U-15 singles with an 18-13 win over Collooney’s Stanley Harte. Tommy Trill won by double scores over Niall McLoughlin 22-11 in the Boys U-17 final. There was also wins for Tony Fox U-13, Patrick Fox U-15 and Shane Wright Boys U-17 in the plate finals

Six of the best for Sligo at adult level

Sligo was also successful in the Connacht adult championships this year. The legendary Paddy Walsh from the St. Mary’s club was the first player to strike “Connacht Gold” this year when he defeated Galway’s Padhraic O’Fatharta. Despite a shaky start Walsh recovered well to win by 11-21, 21-3, 21-2.

Seamus Duffy & Pat O’Sullivan made a stunning comeback in the Diamond Masters A singles final in Claremorris. The Sligo men were up against Roscommon’s Noel Raftery & Seamus McHugh. Roscommon led by 20-17 in game one. And Raftery had a chance to win it for Roscommon missing the front wall by mere inches. Duffy & O’Sullivan hit back in great style stealing the 1st game from the Rossies grasp by 21-20. The second game they Yeats County men reeled of 15 points in a row to win by 21-6. In the 60 x 30 championships Francis McCann Golden Masters A singles, Francis McCann & Hugh McGarry Golden Masters A doubles, Paddy Walsh Ruby Masters singles & John McLoughlin & Michael McMorrow Emerald Masters B doubles all won Provincial titles. McCann travelled to Ballyporeen for the singles semi and pulled it out of the fire against Tipperary’s Pat Ryan winning a titanic battle by 21-19 in the tie breaker. John McLoughlin & Michael McMorrow defeated Tipperary’s Eamon Spillane & Gerry Foley in their semi-final clash in Collooney.

The trio of John McLoughlin & Michael McMorrow Emerald Masters B doubles & Francis McCann Golden Masters A singles did Sligo handball proud this year with their outstanding All-Ireland wins.

We salute all our Connacht & All-Ireland champions and look forward to even greater successes by the County’s players in 2012. You can catch up on all Sligo handball matters at http://sligohandball.blogspot.com/ and at http://www.sligogaa.ie/

McCann Connacht "Masters" player of the year

Connell Cannon Connacht Handball Administrator, Francis McCann Connacht handball All-Star, with Michael McMorrow Sligo handball Chairman & Hugh McGarry Collooney Chairman.






McCann Connacht “Masters” handball All-Star

McCann Connacht “Masters” handball All-Star

Francis McCann capped off a brilliant year in handball when he was presented with the Connacht “Masters” player of the year award in Croke Park, writes Michael McGee

R.T.E’s Marty Morrissey & Evanne Ni Chuillin were the MC’s for the evening. G.A.A. President Christy Cooney spoke and was full of praise for G.A.A Handball which would continue to be fully supported by the G.A.A. Cooney described the plans for the World handball championships in City West Dublin in October of next year as ” innovative and inspiring for the game and felt it would have an incredible impact on the sport both in Ireland and around the World.” He also announced the World Class National Handball Arena in Croke Park will go ahead as planned shortly.

Over 400 guests attended the handball social event of the year. McCann who had a magnificent year in handball won his 17th All-Ireland handball singles title last September. He also was victorious in the Gerard Jones Memorial Cup & Hannon Cup during the year. McCann is the Juvenile Officer on the Sligo Handball Board and is the Chairman of the Connacht Juvenile handball Council.


Kilkenny legend Michael “Ducksy”Walsh was the overall Masters player of the year. Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy and Kerry’s Maria Daly received the Men’s & Ladies player of the year awards respectively. The Sligo handball board congratulated McCann on his latest achievement.


Sligo Handball Leagues round 2 results

Castleconnor teams double success in league

It was a good week for both Castleconnor teams in the Sligo Handball league. Castleconnor B team opened their league campaign with a narrow 67-61 victory over Sligo I.T. while reigning champions Castleconnor A secured their 1st win in the league following their shock opening loss to Drumcliffe last week.

Castleconnor A dft Collooney 84-38.
Michael Browne & Tom Foody (Castleconnor) bt Tommy Trill & Patrick Fox (Collooney) 21-16,21-7
Tom Tuffy & Joe Gorman (Castleconnor) bt Gerry Coleman & Stanley Harte (Collooney) 21-10,21-5

Reigning champions Castleconnor A got their league title ambitions back on track following their comprehensive 84-38 victory over a weakened Collooney side played in St. Mary's on Wednesday evening last. Castleconnor's Michael Browne & Tom Foody did the damage in the opening doubles game when they build up an unassailable 19 point advantage going into the last doubles match. Collooney were forced to line out with 3 sixteen year old's in their side. Castleconnor's 2nd doubles team of Tom Tuffy & Joe Gorman quelled any chance of a Collooney fightback when striding to an 21-10, 21-5 win.


Castleconnor B dft Sligo I.T. 67-61
Mark Murphy/Oisin Quinn (Castleconnor) bt Aoife McDonagh & Niall Hunt (Sligo I.T) 21-9, 21-11.
Amy Corrigan & Ciara McLoughlin (Sligo I.T.) bt Larry & Micheal Jones (Castleconnor) 4-21, 20-21.

St. Mary’s top league table

St. Mary’s defeated Drumcliffe 80-59.

League champions in 2009 St. Mary’s have two wins out of two following their 80-59 win over Drumcliffe. St. Mary’s second doubles pairing of Michael McMorrow & Seamus Duffy gave impressive displays and helped to push St. Mary’s to the top of the league standings.

Connell Cannon & Peter Chambers (St. Mary’s) dft Colin & Clive Slevin 17-21, 21-19
Michael McMorrow & Seamus Duffy (St. Mary’s) dft Ken Cunningham & Bill Carney (Drumcliff) 21-10, 21-12


Upcoming fixtures;

Round 3:

Drumcliff v Sligo I.T. Wednesday 23rd November in St. Mary’s at 8 p.m.
Collooney v Castleconnor B Sunday 27th November in St. Mary’s at 3.p.m.
St. Mary’s a bye


The Sligo Handball Board passed a vote of sympathy with Tom Foody Castleconnor Handball Club on the death of his Aunt Breege Naughton (nee Foody) last week.

“Hartebeat’s “ Fox in Final

Patrick Fox r-up, Francis McCann Juvenile Officer Sligo Handball Board with Stanley Harte Jnr Boys U-16 singles 60 x 30 champion

Group photo taken in Ballymote

“Hartebeat’s “ Fox
Collooney’s Stanley Harte Jnr won his second County Handball Championship of the year when winning the Boys U-16 singles 60 x 30 title at Ballymote on Saturday, writes Michael McGee

Harte was very impressive in his semi-final defeat of Ballymote’s Sean Golden. Patrick Fox also from the Collooney club eased his way into the final with a straight sets victory over Ballymote’s Padraig O’Dowd. O’Dowd just 15 and standing at 6” 4’ took up handball just 7 weeks ago. O’Dowd gave an eye catching display and looks certain to become a star in the years ahead. In the all Collooney final it was Harte that passed the challenge offered by Fox to win by 21-15, 21-14. Harte used his powerful left hand to telling effect and that was the difference between the two in an exciting and well contested final.
It capped of a great year for both players with Harte winning 2 County Championships medals and 2 Provincial titles. Harte and Jason Earlis from Castleconnor were just 1 point away from reaching this year’s Boys U-15 doubles All-Ireland 60 x 30 final.
Patrick Fox teamed up with Ross Taheny to win the Boys U-15 doubles One-Wall final in the Cully’s Open 1-wall Court and just last month partnered Francis McCann to win the Annual Hannon Cup 60 x 30 Tournament in Ballymote.

McCann Connacht Handball Masters player of the year

Ballymote’s Francis McCann will receive his Connacht Handball Masters player of the year award at the Annual GAA Handball All-Star Awards Presentation in Croke Park on Saturday evening starting at 7 p.m. McCann who had an outstanding year winning the Golden Masters A singles title, his 17th All-Ireland handball title in an illustrious handball career. McCann also won the Annual Gerard Jones Doubles tournament in Castleconnor last January and the Hannon Cup in Ballymote last month.
McCann is the Juvenile Officer on the Sligo Handball Board, Chairman of the Connacht Juvenile handball council and is the Connacht Youth Officer on the National Advisory Committee. Sligo Handball Chairman Michael McMorrow and Connacht Handball Council Administrator Connell Cannon both from the St. Mary’s club will be in attendance at the Handball Social Banquet of the year.

Drumcliff stun champions in league opener

The Sligo handball 40 x 20 team leagues got off to a flying start with the Drumcliff club causing a huge shock when defeating reigning champions Castleconnor A by 63-56 in the opening league game in Castleconnor on Wednesday evening last. Drumcliff were represented by Pat O’ Sullivan, Colin Slevin, Ken Cunningham, Bill Carney, Michael Brennan & Clive Slevin. Seven teams have entered in the competition with many exciting games in prospect between now and the final due to take place on Wednesday 18th January next.

Round 1 results Sligo Team leagues 40 x 20
St.Mary's bt Sligo I.T. 84- 22
Seamus Duffy/Connell Cannon (St. Mary's) dft Aoife McDonagh/Ciara McLoughlin (Sligo I.T.) 21-4, 21-5
Michael McMorrow/ Paddy Walsh (St.Mary's) dft Amy Corrigan/Niall Hunt (Sligo I.T.) 21-8

Drumcliff bt Castleconnor A 63-56

Round 2: F
Castleconnor A v Collooney Wednesday 16th November in St. Mary’s at 8 p.m.

Sligo Handball 60x 30 U-16 singles championships draws

(a) Stanley Harte (Collooney) v Shane Wright (Castleconnor)
(b) Pat Fox (Collooney) v Sean Golden (Ballymote)
(c) Padraig O Dowd (Ballymote) v Noel M c Loughlin (Castleconnor)
(d) Tommy Trill (Collooney) A BYE

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

FINAL:
Winner E V Winner F

Sligo Team leagues 40 x 20

Sligo Handball 40 x 20 Team Leagues 2012
Round 1
St. Mary’s v Sligo I.T. Wednesday 9th November in St. Mary’s at 8.p.m.
Castleconnor A v Drumcliff Wednesday 9th November in Castleconnor at 8 p.m.
Collooney v Ballymote Sunday 13th November in St. Mary’s at 3 p.m
Castleconnor B a Bye

Round 2:
Castleconnor B v Sligo I.T. Monday 14th November at 8 p.m in Castleconnor
Castleconnor A v Collooney Wednesday 16th November in St. Mary’s at 8 p.m.
Drumcliff v St. Mary’s Sunday 20th November in St. Mary’s at 3 p.m.
Ballymote a Bye


Round 3:
Castleconnor A v Ballymote Monday 21st November in Castleconnor at 8 p.m.
Drumcliff v Sligo I.T. Wednesday 23rd November in St. Mary’s at 8 p.m.
Collooney v Castleconnor B Sunday 27th November in St. Mary’s at 3.p.m.
St. Mary’s a bye


Round 4:
Castleconnor B v Drumcliff Monday 28th November in Castleconnor at 8 p.m.
Sligo I.T. v Collooney Wednesday 30th November in St. Mary’s at 8 p.m.
St. Mary’s v Ballymote Sunday 5th December in St. Mary’s at 3 p.m
Castleconnor A a Bye

Round 5:
Castleconnor A v Sligo I.T. Monday 5th December in Castleconnor at 8 p.m.
AGM WED 7TH DECEMBER NO GAMES
Castleconnor B v St. Mary’s Sunday 11th December in Castleconnor at 3 p.m.
Drumcliff v Ballymote Sunday 11th December in St. Mary’s at 3 p.m.
Collooney a bye

Round 6:
Castleconnor A v Castleconnor B Monday 12th December in Castleconnor at 8 p.m
St. Mary’s v Collooney Wednesday 14th December in St. Mary’s at 8 p.m
Drumcliff v Collooney Sunday 18th December in St. Mary’s at 3 p.m.
Sligo I.T. a Bye

Round 7
Castleconnor B V Ballymote Monday 9th January in Castleconnor at 8 p.m
St. Mary's v Castleconnor A Wednesday 11th January in Castleconnor at 8 p.m
Collooney v Sligo I.T. Wednesday 11th Januray in St. Mary's at 8 p.m
Drumcliff a bye

Final Wednesday 18th January Venue TBC


Club Contacts:

Sligo I.T. Aoife McDonagh 086- 2480163
Castleconnor: Tom Foody 087-2518335, Mark Murphy 087-6961076
St. Mary’s: Mick McMorrow 086-2052058, Connell Cannon 087-2414355
Ballymote: Francis McCann 087-2651610, Martin Golden 087-9962417
Collooney: Michael Bruen 087-6177071, John McLoughlin 087 6335253
Drumcliff: Colin Slevin 086-8060772, Pat O’Sullivan 087-6370076

GAA Handball Clar 2012

GAA Handball Clar 2012

Brendan & Rachel Foody win John Gaffney Cup finals

Brendan & Rachel Foody John Gaffney Juvenile Tournament winners for 2011

Foody family success on the double

There was doubles success for the Foody family from Castleconnor when brother & sister Brendan & Rachel won their respective Boys & Girls doubles finals at the Annual John Gaffney 60 x 30 Juvenile doubles Tournament played on Bank Holiday Monday in Williamstown. Players from Belcara, Ballymote, Ballaghaderreen,Fenagh, Castleconnor and Williamstown all took park
Brendan Foody teamed up with Fenagh’s Cillian O’ Rourke and they went all the way. In the final they defeated Jonathon Devaney Ballymote & Patrick Murphy Belcara by 15-13, 15-2. Odhran Quinn Castleconnor & David Heneghan Belcara were runners up in the Boys plate final.
In the Girls final Rachel Foody & Shona Ruane Belcara defeated Rachel Doherty & Emma Cosgrove 15-4, 15-4.Plate winners: Karen Cosgrove Mairead Kenny
Boys Cup Matches:

Patrick Murphy (Belcara) Jonathan Devaney (Ballymote) Defeated Ordhain Quinn (Castleconnor) David Heneghan (Belcara) 14- 11
Brendan Foody (Castleconnor) Cillian O' Rourke (Feenagh) Defeated David Wrynn (Feenagh) Diarmuid Heneghan (Belcara) 12- 3
Patrick Murphy Jonathan Devaney Defeated Cathal Brohan (Belcara) Conor Reynolds (Fenagh) 18- 7

Cup Final: Brendan Foody Cillian O' Rourke Defeated Patrick Murphy Jonathan Devaney 15-13, 15-2
Plate winners: Connor Reynolds & Cathal Brohan

Girls Cup Matches:

Sharleen Nally (Belcara) Mary Foody (Castleconnor) Defeated Anne Marie Colman (Ballaghadereen) Cuileann Bourke (Belcara) 15- 5
Emma Cosgrove (Belcara) Rachel Doherty (Belcara) Defeated Karon Cosgrove (Belcara) Mairead Kenny (Williamstown) 13 - 6
Shona Ruane (Belcara) Rachel Foody (Castleconnor) Defeated Caoimhe Towey (Ballaghadereen) Catriona Heneghan (Belcara) 28 -10
Emma Cosgrove Rachel Doherty Defeated Sharleen Nally Mary Foody 35-10

Cup Final:
Shauna Ruane Rachel Foody Defeated Rachel Doherty Emma Cosgrove 15-4, 15- 4.
Plate winners: Karen Cosgrove Mairead Kenny