Irish Handball Review of 2011 by Michael McGee

Irish Handball Review of 2011 by Michael McGee

Irish Juniors return home triumphant with 10 USHA Junior titles, Nash & Prendiville win Collegiates titles, US Collegiates honours for Hiley, Gallagher & McCarthy. Brilliant Brady wins 7th All-Ireland senior singles titles in a row and 8th overall. Brady & Finnegan retain senior doubles crown. Robbie McCarthy & Fiona Shannon take Irish Nationals 40 x 20 Crown. McCarthy wins hardball singles and Kennedy & Jensen retain doubles. Shannon wins U.S. Ladies titles on the double. Irish players won 9 U.S. titles in total in Minneapolis. International wins for Karen McConney USA & Herman Mendez in Irish One-Wall finals. Colin Keeling & Barry Goff win inaugural Irish 60 x 30 Nationals finals. Robbie McCarthy historic first softball singles titles for Westmeath. Maria Daly 1st ladies player to win both senior singles 40 x 20 & 60 x 30 titles. Doubles delight for Wexford in softball doubles final. McCarthy wins Men’s U.S. Open of handball singles & Paul Brady & Michael Finnegan adds the doubles. Robbie McCarthy & Maria Daly Men’s & Ladies players of the year for 2011 some of the highlights in another fantastic year in Irish Handball.
Irish Juniors return home with 10 titles
Over 20 Irish players made the long journey to take part in the 55th USHA Junior National in San Diego California from Dec 27th-30th last. Tyrone’s Caolan Daly again had a terrific battle with Ballaghaderreen’s Steven Cooney in the final of the Boys 19 & Under. Cooney taking game one by 21-19. Daly hit back immediately winning the second by 21-17 and in the tie breaker the Tyrone man greater fitness pulled him through by 11-1. Cork’s Killian Carroll was in superb form all through as he claimed the Boys 17 & Under with a straight sets victory over local hero Brant Bidegain. Monaghan’s Darren Doherty was equally impressive when taking the 15 & Under title. The trio of Irish girls also recorded victory’s Loraine Havern was brought to a tie break before securing the win over New York’s Sandy Ng by 19-21, 21-8, 11-6. Caitrona Casey completed her 3rd consecutive win in the nationals in the Girls 17 & Under and Roscommon’s Lauran O’Riordan was the Girls 15 & Under champion. Aoife Kelly Tyrone claimed the Girls 13 & Under title with an easy straight sets win over Canada’s Myroslava Koval. There was doubles triumphs for Steven Cooney & Daniel Cordova as they defeated Tyrone’s Caolan Daly & Conor McElduff by 21-8, 21-12. Tyrone’s Pol Clarke teamed up with Tyler Stoffel to win the Boys 15 & Under and in the Girls 19 & Under doubles final it was a facile win for Lorraine Havern & Caitriona Casey who beat Maeve McElduff & Lauran O’Riordan in an all-Irish final. The Irish coaches were Joe McCann & Ashley Prendiville
All-Ireland 40 x 20 club titles for Ballaghaderreen, Salthill & Kells
Ballaghaderreen once again claimed the Club 40x 20 title following an impressive win over Ballydesmond Cork 97-71 in the final. An amazing statistic in that it was Ballaghaderreen’s 6th Open 40 x 20 club title on the trot to confirm their status as Ireland’s top club. The winning Ballaghaderreen were Dessie Keegan, Joe McCann, Vinny Moran, Steven Cooney & Paul Flynn. Salthill became Junior champions with an 115-104 win over Liscarroll of Cork. Kevin Cradock, Bernie McDonagh, John Ward, Tom Sweeney & Trevor Hannon, In the Junior B final Kells Meath defeated St. Mellan’s Monaghan by 96-38. Kells winning team were Peter Flanagan, Christy McGovern, Michael Sheridan & Peter Reilly.
Kennedy retains John Gaffney Memorial Invitational Tournament
Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy retained the John Gaffney Memorial Tournament when he defeated Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy in a repeat of last year’s final. Kennedy had earlier defeated Mayo’s Dessie Keegan by 15-21, 21-8, 11-4 in the semi final while McCarthy was also impressive with his 21-8, 21-16 win over Charly Shanks Armagh. Sixteen of the top players in the country took part in the competition in memory of the late John Gaffney club founder and coach to the Ballaghaderreen club.
Girls doing it for themselves
The same weekend a new event on the Irish Calender event seen the introduction of a girls only handball competition. Five venues were used Newport, Claremorris, Kiltimagh, Aughagower & the finals were played in An Sportlann Castlebar. Over 140 girls took part in the event. Winners are as follow:
Ladies Open: Aisling Reilly (Antrim)
Ladies A: Laura Keever (Waterford)
Ladies Challenger: Bairbre Ní Ainlí (Galway)
Girls 19 & Under: Catriona Casey (Cork)
Girls 17 & Under: Sinea Ní Ainlí (Galway)
Girls 15 & Under: Ciana Ní Churraoin (Galway)
Girls 15 & Under B: Clare Shannon (Mayo)
Girls 13 & Under: Aoife McConville (Armagh)
Girls 11 & Under: Heather Spellman (Galway)
Intervarsity titles for Nash & Prendiville
Diarmuid Nash (NUIG) demonstrated his great natural ability when taking the 2011 Intervarsity Championships finals played in Kingscourt. The Clare star was pushed all the way in game 1 by Fergal Collins (IT Tralee) before winning by 21-18. In the second game there was no stopping the Clare man as he went into overdrive powering his way to a 21-7 win in the second. Kerry’s Ashley Prendiville representing U.C.C. took the ladies title getting the better of Shauna Hiley (ITT) by 21-10, 21-5. Patrick Funchion (Waterford IT) also had a good 21-5, 21-12 win over Niall O’Connor (IT Tallaght) in the Men’s A. Pauline Gallagher (Athlone IT) defeated fellow county colleague Amy Corrigan in the final of the Ladies A final by 21-6, 21-14. Full list of winners below are
ICHA 40x20 Championships at Kingscourt
Men’s Open Final Diarmuid Nash NUIG
Ladies Open Final Ashley Prendiville UCC
Men’s A Patrick Funchion WIT
Men’s B Cormac McMahon TCD
Men’s C Kevin Barrett IT Carlow
Ladies A Pauline Gallagher AIT
Ladies B Lisa Loughnane
Ladies C Siobhan Tully NUIG
Mens Ch. Eddie Nolan IT Carlow
Men’s Cont. Sean Travers DCU

There was a huge entry for this year’s senior 40 x 20 championships with 40 players taking part. Paul Brady was seeded no.1 and Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy the no.2 seed. Antrim’s Aisling Reilly seeded no.1 in the Ladies which seen 19 enter the fray. The Championships started on February 26th last. In the provincial singles there was a reversal with Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy getting the better of Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy. In Connacht Dessie Keegan had 11-10 win over doubles partner Joe McCann. Diarumid Nash defeated Seamus O’Carroll in Munster while there was drama in Ulster. All-Ireland champion Paul Brady had a 21-20, 21-19 win over county doubles colleague Michael Finnegan but withdrew injured afterwards before the final with Armagh’s Charly Shanks. In the semi-final of the Men’s singles Charly Shanks defeated Dubliner Eoin Kennedy by 21-20, 21-18 while reigning champion Paul Brady had a good 21-8, 21-10 triumph over Westmeath’s RobbieMcCarthy, thus setting up a repeat of last years final. There was a shock in the Ladies singles with Kerry’s Ashley Prendiville defeating the favourite Aisling Reilly of Antrim by 21-17, 21-15. Marie Daly made it a double of Kerry wins when accounting for Fiona Shannon 21-17, 21-7 in her semi-final clash. In the Men’s Doubles semi final Cavan the reigning champions had a 21-16, 21-8 win over Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy & Egin Jensen while Meath’s Tom Sheridan & Brian Carroll had an even more impressive semi-final win over Armagh’s Charly Shanks & James Doyle by 21-11, 21-4. The Ladies doubles semi-final seen Maria Daly & Ashley Prendiville bt Mayo’s Pauline Gallagher & Amy Corrigan while Antrim Fiona Shannon & Sibheal Gallagher had to go to a tie break before securing their place in the final by defeating Catriona Casey & Aisling O’Keeffe by 20-21, 21-9, 21-9

All-Ireland Colleges 40 x 20 finals
Girls Junior Singles: Lauren O’Riordan Convent of Mercy Roscommon
Girls Junior Doubles: Ciana Ní Churraoin/Roisín Ní Chonghaile Colaiste na Coirbe
Boys Junior Singles: Darren Doherty St. Macartan’s Monaghan
Junior Doubles: Daniel Hayes & Padraig O’Donoghue Cashel Community School
Boys Intermediate Singles: Keith Kavanagh Col Bhride Carnew
Boys Intermediate Doubles final Padraig Quish & Eamon Davern Davoren John the Baptist Hospital,Limerick
Boys Junior Doubles: Daniel Hayes & Padraig O’Donoghue Cashel Community School
Girls Senior Singles: Martina McMahon Colaiste na Trocaire, Rathkeale, Limerick
Girls Senior Doubles: Aisling O’Keeffe/Catriona Casey Boherbue Comprehensive School
Boys Senior Singles: Caolan Daly Dean Maguire
Boys Senior Doubles: Sean Foley & Peter Funchion Col Eamann Ris Callan

USHA Collegiates titles for Hilley, Gallagher & McCarthy

Shauna Hilley I.T Tralee, Pauline Gallagher Athlone I.T. and Aoife McCarthy Athlone I.T. took home the Ladies singles & doubles titles respectively at the 59th USHA Collegiates in Tempe Arizona. Hilley defeated Sandy Ng while Gallagher & McCarthy easily defeated Danielle Daskalakis and Shirle Chen in the doubles final by 21-2, 21-4. Full list of Irish winners & runners-up are:

Men’s A Final: David Walsh (UCC) d. Niall O’Connor (ITTD) 21-0, 21-2.
B Final: Pat Jarvis (LFC) d. John Casey (UCC) 21-9, 21-9
Intermediate Final: Pesch (ISU) d. Shane Briody (DCU), 21-11, 21-19
Men’s Division II:
C Final: Paul Holden (UL) d. Daniel Riordan (ITTralee), 21-19, 5-21, 11-5.
Intermediate Final: Zhu (SUNY) d.Brian O’Sullivan (DCU), 21-12, 21-12.
Men’s Division III
Contender Final: Velasquez (Fla) d.Gavin Cawley (DCU), 21-8, 21-6
Ladies Division I
Open Final: Shauna Hilley (ITTralee) d. Sandy Ng (LFC) 21-12, 21-16
A Final: Stephanie Coleman (ITTD) d. Shirley Chen (SUNY) 21-13, 21-18
Ladies Open Doubles Final: Pauline Gallagher/Aoifa McCarthy(AIT) d. Daskalakis/S. Chen (SUNY), 21-2,21- 4
Men’s B Double Final: Conteras/Creasy (LFC) d. John Fitzgerald/ Colm O’Luing, 21-20, 21-4.
Maughan & Cronin win Salthill Cup
Salthill Handball Club held their 2nd Annual open Doubles tournament on the 26th & 27th of February last. Pronsias Maughan & Dara Cronin defeated Peter Davoren & Aodan Concannon by 21-18, 21-8 in the cup final while Denis Phelan & David Bradley were put to the pin of their collars before coming through in a nail biting finish winning a tie breaker game by 12-21, 21-9, 11-10.
Gael Linn title for Galway
Eimear Ni Bhiadha & Cian O’Conghaile from the Micheal Breathnach’s club in Galway had a fine 28-25 victory over the Brackey club from Tyrone in the Gael Linn final. It was the 4th year in a row that a Connacht Club won the event. Coolboy beat St. Coman’s in the Solas final
G.A.A President’s Award to Br. Finbar Spring
The annual winners are honoured as long standing GAA volunteers who have served the Association with distinction in their chosen field over a prolonged period. Since the late 1980s Brother Spring has been passing on his passion for GAA Handball in Dungarvan through St. Augustines College and the Friary Abbeyside Ballinacourty Club he founded. He has helped Waterford’s Handballers become a formidable underage outfit who have won All-Irelands across almost every age group. Br. Spring has been responsible for the funding and building of several alleys in Waterford. Br.Spring was presented with his award by G.A.A President Christy Cooney on March 16th last and was introduced to the crowed during the interval of the AIB Club All-Ireland football & hurling finals.
In the All-Ireland Juvenile finals played in 4 centres Clare came away with 6 of the 15 titles demonstrating the County’s huge talent at underage level
GU14S: Shannon Keady (Galway) dft Aoife McConville (Armagh) 12-15, 15-1, 15-12
GU14D: Aoibhinn Henderson/Niamh Coleman (Armagh) dft Caoimhe Shanagher, Fiona Tully (Roscommon) 15-11, 15-12
BU14S: Brian Fahy (Clare) dft Daniel Curry (Wicklow) 15-12, 12-15, 15-6
BU14D: Fergal Coughlan/Jamie Keane (Clare) dft Seamus Sinnott/Ben O’Shea (Wexford) 15-3, 9-15, 15-6
BU15S: Daniel Hayes (Tipperary) dft Eugene McGeough (Monaghan) 11-15, 15-9, 15-1
BU15D: Evan Sheridan, Dylan Sheridan (Meath) dft Jacob Loughnane, Ciaran Cooney (Clare) 5-15, 15-9, 15-4
GU15S: Anna Prendiville [Kerry] dft Amy McGrane (Kildare) 15-14, 15-9
GU15D: Natasha Coughlan/Michelle Nihill (Clare) dft Aisling Maher/Denise Love (Kilkenny) 15-6, 11-15, 15-6
GU16S: Ciana Ni Churraoin (Galway) dft Maeve McElduff (Tyrone) 21-7, 21-4
GU16D: Martina McMahon/Louise O Riordan [Limerick] dft Shannon Byrne, Michelle Nolan (Carlow) 21-1, 21-1
BU16S: Colin Crehan [Clare] dft Darren Doherty (Monaghan) 21-15, 21-12
BU16D: Niall Bolton, Colin Corbett [Clare] dft Patrick McCrory, Pol Clarke (Tyrone) 13-21, 21-13, 11-5
GU17S: Cornelia Prendiville [Kerry] dft Niamh Farrell (Monaghan) 21-9, 21-1
BU17S: Cathal Connelly (Roscommon) dft Philip Duffy (Armagh) 21-12, 21-12
BU17D: Conal McCavitt/Ciaran Duffy (Armagh) dft Alan Ryder, Diarmuid Browne (Mayo) 21-12, 21-12
All-Ireland team winners Tyrone, Tipperary
Kingscourt was the setting for the All-Ireland team final and it proved an exciting afternoon of handball. Tyrone came through in the U-12/13 final over Tipperary. T ipperary did have some compensation when winning the U-16/17 final.
U12/13
Tyrone Sean Kerr, Pauric Mullan, Conor Loughran, Turlough Clarke, Cormac Munroe & Ciaran Cuddy bt Jason English, Aidan Flaherty, Kevin Shinnors, Colin Ryan, Gerome Cahill, Daniel Ryan Tipperary 58-53
U14/15
Carlow (Jim O’Leary, Alan Hosey, Paddy Shanahan, David Curtis, Jim O’Leary, Damien Jordan, David Nolan) bt Dara Lyons, Anthony Fitzgerald, Jamie Mulcahy, Ciaran O Neill, Jamie Joyce, Richard Forsey Waterford 76-56
U-16/17 final
Tipperary Stephen Moroney, Jason Cahill, Marcus Troy, Jack Jones bt Chrissy Gillen, Eoin Mullan, Mattie McSorley & Pierce Grimes Tyrone 51-36
History Breaker Brady in 7th heaven
Cavan’s Paul Brady went into the history books following a brilliant 21-17, 21-3 victory over last year’s runner-up Charly Shanks in the All-Ireland senior 40 x 20 singles final sponsored by O’Neills played in Abbeylara. Brady playing with a heavily broken finger started slowly . Shanks was in sensational form in the early stages going 11-3 up at one stage. Brady hit back in tremendous style winning by 21-17 and blitzing Shanks in the 2nd by 21-3. It was Brady’s 7th successive singles title and historic 8th overall. In the ladies doubles final reigning champions Maria Daly & Ashley Prendiville Kerry defeated World Champions Fiona Shannon & Sibeal Gallagher by 20-21, 21-9, 21-8 while Cork’s Killian Carroll was too strong for Kildare’s Niall O’Connor in the minor final winning by 21-7, 21-5. It was the first minors singles title for Cork since 1996 when Tony Healy became Champion
Brady & Finnegan are royal Kings-in-court
Cavan Senior doubles pair of Paul Brady & Michael Finnegan won their 7th senior doubles title in 9 years when getting better of Meath pair of Tom Sheridan & Brian Carroll in a tremendous tussle played in Kingscourt. Cavan took game one by 21-10 but Meath in true Royal County style came back strongly from 10-14 behind to forge clear by 18-14. The reigning champions showing their undoubted class roared back into contention when leading by 20-18. Meath with Sheridan giving it everything forced Cavan to serve game ball 5 times before a lightening low kill from Brady sealed the win for the Cavan men. Catriona Casey had a facile win in the Ladies Minor singles over Armagh’s Fionnuala McKenna. Cork’s Killian Carroll made it a doubles success in the Minor grade when capturing the doubles title with Patrick Herlihy winning by 21-4, 21-20 over Monaghan’s Terry McElvaney & Christopher McKenna. It was an all Kerry affair in the Ladies singles final with Maria Daly getting the better of her doubles partner Ashley Prendiville by 21-13, 21-12
Connacht Claim another Girls Interprovincial team title
Connacht continued their vice like grip on the Girls Interprovincial 40 X 20 team championships. The Connacht girls had a big win over Munster in the semi-final and then had an impressive 101-56 win in the final over Ulster. The Connacht Interprovincial winners team winners were Lauren O'Riordan, Ciana Ní Churraoin, Adhna Ní Bhraonáin, Mary Fahy, Eimear Ní Bhiadha, Aoife Quinn, Jenifer Fahy, Roisín Ní Chonghaile, Anna Ní Odhrain Ní Mhurchú, Fiona Tully, Elaine Mitchell, Shannon Keady
Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy wins Irish 40 X 20 Nationals final in Wexford
There was a sensational result in round 1 of the Nationals when No.1 seed Charly Shanks was knocked out by Clare’s Diarmuid Nash. All-Ireland singles champion Paul Brady did not enter with his broken finger injury. It left this year’s open nationals very open. Wexford took on the role of hosts of this year’s Ladbrokes Sponsored Nationals. Wexford hosting of the Nationals was very impressive. Coolgreaney, Ballyhogue, Borris, Davidstown, Horeswood, Oulart, Piercetown and St. Josephs all see action in their courts. Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy is showing his growing maturity when going all the way. In the final he beat Clare’s Diamuid Nash in a great final winning by 21-18, 18-21, 11-2. In the ladies final World Champion Fiona Shannon returned to winning ways with a rather easy 21-5, 21-7 victory over All-Ireland champion Maria Daly. Both players also had the added bonus of representing Ireland in the USHA Nationals.
GAA Handball Irish Nationals Finals results

Men's Open Singles: Robbie McCarthy (Westmeath) beat Diarmuid Nash (Clare) 21-15, 18-21, 11-2

Ladies Open Singles: Fiona Shannon (Antrim) beat Maria Daly (Kerry) 21-5, 21-7

Men's A singles: Ian Griffin (Dublin) beat Paul Graham (Antrim) 21-14, 21-12

Men's B singles: Jerome Willoughby (Wicklow) beat Terry Kiernan (Monaghan) 11-21, 21-12, 11-4

Men's C singles: Daniel Fenlon (Carlow) beat Peter Flanagan (Meath) 21-9, 21-4

Men's Challenger Final: Peter Whelan (Laois) beat JR Finn (Wexford) 21-12, 21-19.

Men's Under 23 singles: Killian Carroll (Cork) beat Nicky Anthony (Kilkenny) 16-21, 21-15, 11-2.

Ladies Under 23 singles: Ciana Ni Churrain (Galway ) beat Shauna Hilley (Wicklow) 21-17, 16-21, 11-6

Ladies B Singles: Ciara Mahon (Kilkenny) beat Marguerite Gore (Wexford) 21-2, 21-2

Masters Singles Final: Tom Sheridan (Meath) beat Niall Kerr (Tyrone) 21-4, 21-8

Masters B Singles: Christy McGovern (Meath ) beat Damien Kelly (Wexford) 21-8, 21-13

Silver Masters Singles: Egin Jensen (Dublin ) beat Paddy Donovan (Laois) 21-7, 12-21, 11-10.

Golden Masters Singles: Michael Dowling (Kildare) beat Benny Doyle (Wexford) 21-12, 21-13

Golden Masters B singles: John Cawley (Clare) beat James Kelly (Meath) 21-11, 21-18

Emerald Masters Singles: John Rossiter (Carlow) beat Tony Breen (Wexford) 12-21, 21-16, 11-1

Diamond Masters Singles Final: Eugene Kennedy (Dublin) beat Ned Buggy (Wexford) 21-16, 21-15

Ruby Masters Singles Final: Seamus Graham (Antrim) beat John Molloy (Dublin) 21-20, 20-21, 11-6.
Meath’s Walter O’Connor was installed as new Irish Handball Council President to serve a 3 year term of office. He succeeded Roscommon’s Tony Hannon who proved an outstanding President in the history of Irish Handball. Just before stepping down Hannon was awarded the Roscommon Sports Personality of the year Award.
Aran Islands 1-wall titles for Charly Shanks & Lorraine Havern
Cumann Liathroid Inis Mor organised the aptly named (One Wall on the rock) tournament on the Inis Mor on the Aran Islands. With almost 100 taking part in the 10 grades. Armagh’s Charly Shanks took the Men’s open with a tie break win over county colleague and doubles partner James Doyle winning by 15-4, 12-15, 11-5. Down’s Lorraine Havern took the Ladies tile with an 22-16 win over Kerry’s Ashley Prendiville.
Girls U-10: Eimear ni Bhiaidh
Boys U-10: Leah Doyle
Girls U-17: Roisin Ni Chongaile
Boys U-17: Pat Havern
Ladies Challenger: Ellen O’Connor
Men’s C: Stiofan O’ hIarnain
Men’s B: Ger McGrath
Ladies Open: Lorraine Havern
Men’s Open: Charly Shanks
Kelly retains Williamstown 1-wall Tournament
Tyrone’s Ruairi Kelly made it 2 wins out of 2 in the Williamstown One-Wall Finals. Kelly defeated Armagh’s James Doyle. Doyle looked on course for victory when taking the 1st game well by 15-7 but an eye injury in the 2nd game seriously hampered his chances. Kelly took the 2nd game by 15-14 and the tie break 11-0. Roscommon’s Marianna Rushe took the ladies open in straight games over Pauline Gallagher
Mens Open Ruairi Kelly dft James Doyle 7-15, 15-14, 11-0
Ladies Open Marianna Rushe dft Pauline Gallagher 15-2, 15-2
BU18 Martin Mulkerrins dft Conal McCavitt 15-7, 15-12
GU16/18 Lauren O’Riodrdan dft Mave McElduff
Mas Niall Kerr dft Aengus Cunningham
BU16 Pol Clarke dft Gabhann McCrystal
BU14S Sean Kerr winner
Carroll & McCarthy matchwinners in Michael Black Memorial Cup win
Many of the top 60 x 30 players took part in the annual Michael Black doubles tournament. Defending champions Barry Goff & Colin Keeling Wexford were knocked out by Carl Browne (Meath) & Tipperary’s Paul Mullins by 21-17, 21-14. Last year’s runners-up Brian Carroll & Robbie McCarthy defeated legendary Ducksy Walsh & Tom Sheridan in the semi-final. Eoin Kennedy & Gavin Buggy overcame Browne & Mullins in the other semi. The young guys of Brian Carroll & Robbie McCarthy had the extra reserves and beat Kennedy & Buggy by 21-20, 21-9 in the final. Michael Gaynor & John Leahy won the Junior/Masters doubles final by 21-12, 21-9
Community Games Finals – Curraghboy and Roscommon
Girls U-13 Cois Fharraige (Michael Breathnacs) dft Limerick 77-33
Girls U-15 Roscommon, Kilteevan dft Kildare (Leixlip)
Boys U-13 Termonmaguirc (Tyrone) dft O’Callaghans Mills/ Kilkishin Clare 75-27
Boys U-15 Termonmaguirc ( Tyrone) dft Kells, Meath 78-45
Hardball singles title for Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy. Kennedy & Jensen retain the doubles
There was changing of the guard in the hardball singles. Limerick’s Seamus O’Carroll ended Eoin Kennedy’s reign as hardball champion when he defeated the Dubliner by 12-21, 21-13, 21-18 while another hardball heavy weight Tom Sheridan went down to Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy by 21-16, 20-21, 21-9. McCarthy won his 1st senior hardball singles titles with a thrilling 11-21, 21-7, 21-9 success over Limerick’s Seamus O’Carroll. In the senior doubles semi-final defending champions Eoin Kennedy & Egin Jensen had a close shave with Mayo’s Dessie Keegan & Joe McCann before reaching the final on a 21-19, 21-17 scoreline. While Limerick’s young guns of Seamus O’Carroll & CJ Fitzpatrick defeated Meath’s Tom Sheridan & Brian Carroll by 21-17, 13-21, 21-13 to set up a repeat of last year’s final. In the final Kennedy & Jensen just held out to retain their hardball doubles titles their 5th in six years but they had to do it the hard way in a 2 hour marathon battle. Limerick’s Seamus O’Carroll & C.J. Fitzpatrick won the 1st game by 21-16. It was very even 2nd with the Dubliners narrowly winning game 2 by 21-19 and in an exciting tie breaker Dublin ahead by 13-1 but the Limerick stars fought back in great style and put Dublin under enormous pressure. Limerick gave it their all and came as close to Dublin at 19-18 but their brave comeback just fell short and the sky blues got the all important winning points to seal a breathtaking victory. Limerick’s Padraig Carroll & Paul Murphy def Meath’s Carl Browne & Gary McConnell in another thrilling Junior doubles final in 3 games by 11-21, 21-14, 21-15. In the Masters doubles final Meath’s Tom Sheridan & Christy McGovern defeated Dublin’s Egin Jensen & Frank Daly in an absorbing 3 game final. The Royals just did enough to claim the title by 20-21, 21-13, 21-19. Kildare’s Niall O’Connor won the Minor singles final and the doubles with Robert Maguire. They beat Limerick’s Eamonn Davern & Padraig Quish by 21-9, 21-10.
Goff & Keeling win exciting Tommy O’Brien Memorial Tournament final
The Tommy O’Brien Memorial Tournament in Talbot’s Inch Kilkenny took place over the June bank holiday weekend and Wexford’s Barry Goff & Colin Keeling overcame very strong opposition to record the win. The duo were taken to a tie breaker before getting the better of Carl Browne & Tommy Hynes in the quarter final and then had an exciting 21-16, 21-19 win over Robbie McCarthy & Brian Carroll. In the final itself was equally exciting with the slaney siders just edging it over the masters Ducksy Walsh & Tom Sheridan by 21-18, 21-14. The Intermediate final was won by Ciaran Neary & Ger Coonan
McCarthy climbs to Mount Talbot summit win
The Mount Talbot club held a fantastic festival one-wall handball in the Mattie McDonagh centre in Ballygar from Friday 17th- Sunday 19th June last. Robbie McCarthy took the Men’s singles title with a fine win over Carlow’s David King. The Ladies final proved a real thriller with Roscommon’s Marianna Rushe having a right royal battle with Down’s Lorraine Havern. Rushe took the title by 15-13, 3-15, 11-9. Over 170 players took part and the Mount Talbot Club came in for great praise for their overall organization.
Results
B-U10: Dylan Hanley dft Liam Egan (12-11)
B-U10P: Stephen O’Conghaile dft Jason Ni Thuathaill (20-9)
B-U12: Odhran Quinn dft Gearoid O’Conghaile (16-8)
B-U12P: Diarmuid Treacy dft James Smyth (12-11)
B-U14: Niall Allison dft Cathal O’Connor (25-4)
B-U14P:Michael Varley dft Aaron Connaughton (31-2)
Hamrocks Bar Athleague B-U16: Johnny Woods dft Pol Clarke (22-13)
Hamrocks Bar Athleague B-U16P: Shane Doonan dft Conor Egan (15-11)
Mal Hevehan Electrical B-U18 (Conall McCavitt won round robin)
G-U12: Heather Spellman dft Elaine Nee (19-8)
G-U12P: Dervilia Delaney dft Cailíosa Ní Dhúill (22-20)
G-U14: (Fiona Tully won round robin)
Bridgehouse Athleague Mens Novice: Vincent McLoughlin dft Alan Armstrong (23-15)
Bridgehouse Athleague Mens Novice Plate: Tom Naughton dft Marty Treacy (20-7)
Coyle Brothers Garage Roscommon Mens Challenger: Eoin Cleary dft Frank Quine (15-6, 15-11)
Coyle Brothers Garage Roscommon Mens Challenger Plate: Colin Mitchell dft Mark O’Donovan (16-13)
Crean & Co. Accountants Mens C: Philip O’Connor dft Daniel Fenlon (15-9, 2-15, 11-9)
Crean & Co. Accountants Mens C Plate: Dan Breen dft Morgan Duggan (22-5)
Gilleran Plumbing & Heating Mens B: Ciaran Burke dft Ian McLoughlin (15-11,15-8)
Gilleran Plumbing & Heating Mens B Plate: Ger McGrath dft Robert Coyle (27-2)
Traynors Garage Ballygar Mens Open: Robbie McCarthy Jnr dft David King (15-3, 15-5)
Traynors Garage Ballygar Mens Open Plate: Ollie Cassidy dft Darragh Daly (13-10)
Connaught Gold Athleague Ladies Novice: Ger Coyne dft Chris Clogher (31-3)
Connaught Gold Athleague Ladies Novice Plate: Mary Grehan dft Aileen Kelly (20-5)
Holmes Centra Ballygar Ladies Challenger: Nicola Crean dft Rosina Ni Thuathaill (15-9, 15-2)
Holmes Centra Ballygar Ladies Challenger Plate: Carrie Ni Thuathaill dft Deirdre Kelly (16-12)
Classic Cuts Hairdressers Roscommon Ladies Open: Marianna Rushe dft Lorraine Havern (15-13, 3-15, 11-9)
Classic Cuts Hairdressers Roscommon Ladies Open Plate: Cianna Ni Curraoin dft Aoife McCarthy (13-9)
Treacy Decor Roscommon Golden Masters: Dermot Doolin dft Robbie McCarthy snr (25-12)
Treacy Decor Roscommon Golden Masters Plate: Morgan Darcy dft Brian Havern (19-6)
O’Neills Sports Ruby Masters (Colm O Cualain won round robin)
Fiona Shannon is USHA Ladies Open singles & doubles Champion
Irish handballers won 9 titles at the 61st USHA Nationals in Fridley Minneapolis. Leixlip’s Niall O’Connor leaped to an amazing Men’s A singles title when he defeated Kilkenny’s Ciaran Neary in one of many all Irish finals. O’Connor dug deep very deep to record a famous win by 19-21, 21-20, 11-10 in the final of the championships. Neary had some compensation when winning the Men’s A doubles with James Neary. Belfast’s Sean Clarke proved too strong for U.S. player Brandon Glaze in the Men’s B final winning by 21-10, 21-5.Mayo’s Seamus Casserly bt James Smith Wexford in the Men’s C final by 21-14, 21-8.Egin Jensen kept up his remarkable record of U.S wins when topping the Men’s 35 Singles. The Men’s B doubles partnership of Sean Clarke & Chris Hurley took the B doubles in fine style. It was an excellent week for Belfast’s Fiona Shannon winning the double of Ladies titles on offer. Reigning Ladies singles World Champion Fiona Shannon defeated All-Ireland singles and doubles champion Maria Daly quite easily winning by 21-8, 21-4 Shannon and her sister Sibeal won the doubles defeating Maria Daly and Deirdre Donohoe taking the title in their stride by 21-7, 21-13. Cork’s Aishling O’Keeffe triumphed in the Ladies B singles with a facile 21-4, 21-4 over Kara Smith from Minneapolis. Niall O’Connor was the only Irish representative in the Men’s Open Singles which was won by Dave Champion with his 9th singles titles success his last coming in Portland Oregan in 2004. Defending champion Paul Brady who was seeking his 7th successive victory U.S. Open titles did not compete due to injury.
Galway hosted this year’s Feile na nGael and the winners were

Boys 40 x 20 Division 1 Final: Brackey (Tyrone) bt Carrickmore (Tyrone) on agg (19-21, 21-12)
Boys 40 x 20 Division 2 Final: Friary-Abbeyside (Waterford) bt Kilworth (Cork) (21-3, 21-17)
Boys 40 x 20 Division 3 Final: Ballyporeen (Tipperary) bt Garryhill (Carlow) (21-5, 21-2)
Boys 40 x 20 Division 4 Final: Boherbue (Cork) bt Mallow (Cork) (21-6, 8-21)
Boys 40 x 20 Division 5 Final: Ballydesmond (Cork) bt Cashel (Tipperary) (21-18, 21-4)
Boys 40 x 20 Division 6 Final: Cullohill (Laois) bt Broadford (Limerick) (21-14,14-21,11-6)
Boys 40 x 20 Novice Final: Abbeyknockmoy (Galway) bt Claregalway (Galway) on agg (21-3, 7-21)
Boys 60 x 30 Division 1 Final: Broadford (Clare) bt Castlebridge (Wexford) (21-7, 21-9)
Boys 60 x 30 Division 2 Final: Clough (Kilkenny) bt Talbots Inch (Kilkenny)
Girls 40 x 20 Division 1 Final: Leixlip (Kildare) bt Maigh Cuilinn (Gaillimh) on agg (8-21, 21-1)
Girls 40 x 20 Division 2 Final: Micheal Breathnach (Gaillimh) bt Williamstown (Galway) (21-13, 21-13)
Girls 40 x 20 Division 3 Final: Na Fianna (Dublin) beat Cullohill (Laois) (21-0, 21-18)
Girls 40 x 20 Novice Final: Annaghdown (Galway) bt Abbeyknockmoy on agg (21-15, 18-21)
Carroll & McCarthy are Danny O’Sullivan doubles tournament champions
Brian Carroll & Robbie McCarthy winning formula continued when the duo came away with the Danny O’Sullivan Softball Memorial Invitational Tournament in Hospital Co. Limerick. Wexford’s Barry Goff & Colin Keeling went in as favourites and took the 1st game in the final by 21-10. Carroll & McCarthy fought back well to take game 2 by 21-18 and in the 3rd took control to win by 21-12 in an epic final
J.P O’Connor & Paddy O’Donovan defeated Eamon Davern & Padraig Quish by 21-10, 21-18 in the Paul Russell Memorial Tournament doubles final
International wins for Karen McConney & Herman Mendez in Irish One-Wall finals.
There was a big international element to this year One-wall Nationals with Puerto Rico, USA, England, Italy all taking part. Karen McConney USA defeated Michelle Melendez in a great contest while Herman Mendez beat fellow Puerto Rican Wally Amaro in the tie breaker. Wally Amaro & Michelle Melendez won the International team challenge. Over 500 took part a record in these championships. The event was sponsored by TG4.
Men’s Open Herman Mendez ( USA) dft Wally Armano (Puerto Rico) 9-15, 15-7, 11-1
Ladies Open Karen McConney (USA) dft Michelle Melendez (Puerto Rico) 15-14, 15-11
Ladies B Amy Corrigan ( Mayo) dft Leona Ryder (Mayo) 31-7
Ladies Ch. Kathleen Briedenhaan (UK) dft Tara Taylor (Roscommon) 24-16
Men 23 & Under A Seamus O’Carroll (Limerick) bt Ciaran Burke (Mayo) 19-16
Men’s 23 & Under B Dan Breen (Kilkenny) dft Shane Walsh (Kilkenny) 31-8
Men’s B Peter Hughes (Wexford) dft Niall Flynn (Longford) 20-17
Men’s CGer McGrath (Carlow) dft Daniel Fenlon (Kilkenny) 23-12
Men’s Ch. Martin Havern (Down) dft Liam O’Ceallaigh (Ros) 19-10
MAS Aengus Cunningham (Roscommon) dft Niall Kerry (Tyrone) 17-16
SMA Sean McNally( Down) dft Joe Dowling (Mayo) 27-9
GMS Eamonn Conneely (Galway) dft Francis McCann (Sligo) 25-13
EMA Dermot Doolin (Roscommon) dft Peter Larkin (Monaghan) 26-12
DMA Morgan Darcy (Galway) dft Sean Devlin (Louth) 23-10
RMS Colm O’Cualain (Galway) dft Tadhg O’Curraidhin (Galway) 21-10
GU10 Sinead Havern (Down) dft Chloe Lydon (Unknown) 11-10
G12 Ella Donellan (Clare) dft Heather Spellman (Galway) 27-10
G14 Emer Beatty (Galway) dftAineO’Keffe (Kildare) 31-15
G16 Ciana Ní Churraoin (Galway) dft Maeve McElduff (Tyrone) 24-12
G18 Catriona Casey ( Cork) dft Raquel Garcia (USA) 24-12
BU10D D Curran, L McBride (Tyrone) dft D Farrelly. C McCartan (Mh/Tyrone) 21-10
B12 Diarmuid Mulkerrins (Galway) dft Tiarnan Agnew 28-18
B14 Niall Allison (Tyrone) dft Fergal Coughlan (Clare)
B16 Johnny Woods (Tyrone) dftPól Clarke (Tyrone) 19-11
B18 Joshua Garcia (USA) dft Killian Carroll (Cork) 29-12
Wexford’s Barry Goff & Colin Keeling take Irish 60 x 30 Nationals crown
Wexford’s Barry Goff & Colin Keeling were the inaugural winners of the Irish 60 x 30 handball nationals and they had to do it the hard way. In the semi-final the duo were a game down and 9-18, 15-20 behind in game 2 before staging a remarkable recovery to defeat Robbie McCarthy Jnr & Brian Carroll. In the final itself they were made fight all the way before defeating legendary Michael Ducksy Walsh & Tom Sheridan in another exciting contest by 21-15, 21-20.Crossakiel, Kells, Kingscourt, Abbeylara all hosted the Nationals

Men’s Open Barry Goff (Wexford)/Colin Keeling (Wexford) dft Ducksy Walsh (Kilkenny)/Tom Sheridan (Meath) 21-15, 21-20
Men’s B doubles final
David Hope & Paul Lambert dft Aenghus Cunningham & Chris Doolin 21-18, 21-14
Mens C Doubles
Winners Barry Devlin & Shane O’Neill
Mens 23&U Doubles
Winners Fergal Collins & Gary McConnell
Masters Doubles
Noel Murphy & Robbie McCarthy dft Billy Bourke & Frank Daly
Golden Masters Doubles
Seamus Reade & Paddy Reilly v James Reilly & Anthony McConnell
Boys 13 & Under Doubles
Sean Kerr & Patrick Mullan dft Fergal Coughlan & Jack Hayes
Boys 15 & Under Doubles
Michael Hedigan and Daniel Relihan dft Robert Fox and Evan Sheridan
Boys 17 & Under Doubles
Winners: Padraig Quish & Eamon Davern
Girls 15 & Under Doubles
Winners Ciana Ní Churraoin & Adhna Ní Bhraonáin
Girls 17 & Under Doubles
Winners: Mary Phelan & Ciara Mahon
Interclub titles for Ballaghadereen ,Broadford & Castlebridge
Ballaghaderreen collected their 14th All-Ireland Interclub title following their 94-54 win over Kells. Keegan was superb in the 1st singles win over Carl Browne. Tom Sheridan & Gary McConnell pulled the lead back somewhat with a 15-21, 21-10 over Vinny Moran & Paul Flynn. Mayo’s Joe McCann ensured another Interclub title for the Mayo man with a 21-5 win over Brian Carroll.
Open final: Ballaghadereen, Mayo (Joe McCann, Dessie Keegan, Paul Flynn, Vinnie Moran, Campbell Brennan) dft Kells, Meath (Tom Sheridan, Brian Carroll, Carl Browne, Gary McConnell, Peter Reilly) 94 - 54

Junior final: Castlebridge, Wexford (Dean Corrigan, Jason Murphy, David Kenny, Eugene Kelly, John Murphy) dft Ballydesmond, Cork (Donnacha O'Dea, Denis Quinn, Joseph O'Keefe, Brendan Fleming, John Keefe) 92-79
Junior B final: Broadford, Limerick (Christopher Enright, Paul Murphy, Anthony Donnelly, Sean Murphy, Pat Donnelly) dft St. Canice's, Kilkenny (Dylan Clifford. Clinton Maher, Canice Pratt, Sean Quigley) 84-40
Tuamgraney honour Kirby

The Tuamgraney handball club in County Clare honoured its finest ever player the legendary Pat Kirby as part of its centenary year celebrations on Saturday 16th July last
Presently living in the States, Kirby won four successive All-Ireland senior softball singles titles (1974-77) and six 40x20 medals (1975-80) in a row before travelling to the USA where he dominated the USHA Masters play. He became the first Irish member of the prestigious USA Hall of Fame in 1986. Kirby started playing handball at seven years age before going on to achieve great feats, including sixteen Irish National championships and three world titles. He was the first player to win national titles in three different countries - Canada, U.S.A and Ireland.
At last year’s Irish National Handball Awards evening Kirby was recognised as one of the legends of the game.
Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy creates history
Twenty eight players entered this year’s Martin Donnelly sponsored 60 x 30 championships which kicked of on Saturday 6th August last. Last year’s champion Eoin Kennedy seeded no.1 with Robbie McCarthy at no.2. Nineteen pairs entered the doubles with Meath’s Tom Sheridan & Brian Carroll on top with last year’s runners-up Michael Ducksy Walsh & Michael Clifford at no.2. Nine ladies went into the draw for singles and 6 more pairs for the doubles. There was a major shock in the quarter final of the senior doubles with Cavan’s Michael Finnegan & Paul Brady making a rare appearance in the big court. The Breffni men shocked last year winners Meath’s Tom Sheridan & Brian Carroll 21-15, 21-16. The quarter finals of the Men’s singles threw up some exciting fare. In the All Wexford quarter-finals former Wexford Senior Hurler Barry Goff got the better of Gavin Buggy in straight games. Dessie Keegan powered his way into the semi-finals with victory over the legendary Michael Ducksy Walsh. Eoin Kennedy overcame the test posed by Meath’s Brian Carroll. And Westmeath’s Robbie Mc Carthy had to much for a battling Tom Sheridan. In the doubles quarter-finals Kilkenny’s Ducksy Walsh & Michael Clifford defeated Limerick’s CJ Fitzpatrick & Seamus O’ Carroll. Dessie Keegan & Joe McCann downed Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy & Egin Jensen while Michael Finnegan & Paul Brady shocked last year champions Tom Sheridan & Brian Carroll winning 21-15, 21-16. Both semi-finals were played in Abbeylara with Eoin Kennedy an impressive winner of Mayo’s Dessie Keegan by 21-12, 21-8. Wexford’s Barry Goff brought Robbie McCarthy to a tie breaker before the Westmeath man running away with the third game by 21-12, 18-21, 21-6. At the same venue was the Ladies doubles final and it seen Mayo’s Pauline Gallagher & Amy Corrigan beating last years champions Maria Daly & Ashley Prendiville Kerry in an excellent Ladies final by 19-21, 21-15, 21-17. In the softball singles final Robbie McCarthy defeated 8 time champion Eoin Kennedy by 21-19, 21-13. It was a titantic struggle with McCarthy just holding off Kennedy in game 1. McCarthy took a big 16-6 lead in the second but the Dubliner roared back into contention with some sublime finishing to be only 16-13 behind. This exertion took its toll as Kennedy looked leg weary in the closing stages and McCarthy was able to gain the next 5 points for an historic victory. Roscommon’s Aengus Cunningham & Chris Doolin came from behind to defeat Meath’s Gary McConnell & Peter Reilly by 4-21, 21-19, 21-11 in an exciting Intermediate doubles decider while Galway’s Martin Mulkerrins retained is Minor singles title with a 21-11, 21-15 win over Kildare’s Niall O’Connor.

Maria Daly win double of senior singles title an historic achievement
Williamstown was the venue for the Men’s doubles semi-finals and ladies singles final. Kerry’s Maria Daly defeated her doubles partner and last year’s champion Ashley Prendiville by 21-17, 21-16. It was Daly’s 3rd Senior title of the year and she became the 1st lady to win both Senior singles 40 x 20 & 60 x 30 titles capping off an outstanding year for the Kerry star. Mayo’s Dessie Keegan & Joe McCann had a rip roaring contest with Cavan’s Paul Brady & Michael Finnegan in a fascinating encounter the men from the west prevailed winning in 3 games 21-12, 16-21, 21-12. Wexford’s Barry Goff & Colin Keeling were also taken to 3 games before getting the better of 2010 runners-up Michael Ducksy Walsh & Michael Clifford Kilkenny by 21-18, 19-21, 21-4.
Wexford’s doubles delight
Williamstown hosted the Martin Donnelly softball doubles finals on September 17th last and it was doubles delight for Wexford. Wexford last won the minor & senior double in 2000. Colin Keeling & Barry Goff got the better of Mayo’s Dessie Keegan & Joe McCann by 21-12, 21-17. Dean Corrigan & Cory Murphy completed the memorable doubles for Wexford with victory over Rosccommon’s Mark Lally& Cathal Connelly. Cork’s Colm Jordan defeated Meath’s Gary McConnell in 3 games by 21-14, 13-21, 21-12 in the Intermediate singles final.
Kilkenny 1-wall Open

The 3rd Kilkenny one wall championships were held in Windgap on Sunday 17th July when eighteen players contested the three grades Open, Masters “A” and Master “B”.

Masters A
Eamon Purcell of Windgap took his first Masters "A" at the third attempt. In the semi he defeated the reigning champion and his brother Jimmy and the previous champion Paul Dowling of Mothel in the final.

Masters B
In the Masters "B" Final Windgap Club secretary Michael O'Shea defeated the holder Eddie English of Goresbridge in two close fought games.

Open
In the Open competition played on a round robin basis with Ger McGrath(Kells) beating Shane Walsh(Windgap) in one semi final and Dan Breen(Kells) defeating Ger Anthony(Mullinavat) 16-15 in the other. McGrath won his first open title with a hard fought 15-7, 15-11 win over Breen in the final

Open Plate
In the Open Plate Final local clubman Shane Walsh Windgap and Michael Fennelly of Kells played a three game thriller before the Kells man took the game on a score of two games to one.

John Ryan(Windgap), Liam Mahon(Goresbridge), Michael Dalton(Kilfane), Jimmy Shanahan(Kilfane), Tom McGrath(Kells), and Simon Walsh(Windgap) also participated in the Masters.

National Handball Centre on the way
In August the National Handball Centre finally got the green light from Bord Pleanala after protracted disagreements from the Dublin handball board and the local community. The G.A.A parent body have committed 9 million euros to the project which will have 4 40x 20 courts with main court with 730 seated spectators and 1 60 x 30.

Lynch’s long journey for Mc Gee tournament a winning one
The 32nd McGee International Handball Tournament was held over the Bank Holiday Weekend. Over 50 adults and 20 Juveniles took part. An Sportlann, Mulranny, Aughagower & Newport hosted the games. Kerry’s Dominic Lynch went back to the Kingdom as the Division 1 winner when getting the better of Tadhg Carroll. Others winners included Division 2 – Terry McElvaney Monaghan, Division 3 – John Cawley Clare, Division 4 – Robert McGuire, Division 5 John Penny. Ladies Winner was Clodagh McManamon. The McGee classic was won by Moycullen’s Morgan Darcy with Dublin’s Jimmy Heffernan runner-up. In the Juvenile grades Division 1 winner was Conor Burke, Division 2 Aaron McDermott and Jack Hanley was successful in the Division 3 final.
McCarthy & Nash storm to Hyland Cup win in Abbeylara
The Westmeath/Clare combination of Robbie McCarthy & Diarmuid Nash swept to victory in the Annual One-Wall Tournament in Abbeylara on August 6/7th last. Sixteen teams entered the John Carthy Cup while only 4 took part in the Senior doubles for the Patrick Hyland Cup
In the Senior doubles semi-finals Robbie McCarthy & Diarmuid Nash disposed of Niall O’Connor & Tadhg Carroll by 24-7 while James Doyle & Darren Flynn had too much for last year’s John Carthy Cup winners in Kilkenny’s Dan Breen & Ger McGrath.
The John Carthy Cup semi-finals proved very close. In the 1st semi Andrew Dowling & Padraig Townsend were brought to extra time before reaching the final with a narrow 17-15 win over Jason Murphy & James Smith. Peter Hughes & Shane Briody were made battle all the way before they too reached the final with an 14-11 defeat of Cavan’s Eddie Halligan & Cathal Sheridan.
The John Carthy Cup final was played outdoors in warm sunshine with Peter Hughes & Shane Briody won an exciting final with an 15-14, 10-15, 11-7 over Padraig Townsend & Andrew Dowling. Not even a thunder storm outside could prevent Robbie McCarthy & Diarmuid Nash from recording a win in the Senior doubles final. McCarthy & Nash had things much their own way in the Patrick Hyland Cup final when an impressive 15-6, 15-4 win over Armagh’s James Doyle & Darren Flynn from the host club.
Abbeylara 1 wall results 2011

Girls U-13 doubles final: Hannah Daag & Fiona Tully bt Niamh Coleman & Derbhla Coleman 15-10, 15-12.
Girls U-15 singles: Aoife McConville bt Aine O’Keeffe 15-9, 15-8
Boys U-13 doubles: Sean Kerr & Turlough Clarke bt Alan Doonan & Alan Wrynn 15-10, 15-4.
Boys U-15 singles: Johnny Woods bt Ryan Mullan 14-15, 15-2, 11-10
Boys U-17 doubles final: Conal McKevitt & Patrick McRory bt Pol Clarke & Gabhain McCrystal 15-8, 15-7

John Carthy Plate final: Jonathon Mahon & Brendan McDonagh bt Sean Devlin & John Boyle 15-8, 7-15, 11-2
John Carthy Cup final: Peter Hughes & Shane Briody bt Andrew Dowling & Padraig Townsend 15-14, 10-15, 11-7

Patrick Hyland Cup plate final: Tadgh Carroll & Niall O’Connor bt Dan Breen & Ger McGrath 15-10, 15-13
Patrick Hyland Cup final: Robbie McCarthy & Diarmuid Nash bt James Doyle & Darren Flynn 15-6, 15-4.
Clann Eireann 1 wall tournament
Clann Eireann 3rd Annual 1-Wall Tournament took place in the Clann Eireann Club with 3 courts being used to play off the games. The Adults events took place on August 20th with the Juveniles 1 week later. Over 46 entered in the13 grades. Aisling Reilly & Fiona Shannon made their debuts in the 1 wall section and equipped themselves well. Down’s Lorraine Havern defeated Maeve McElduff in the Ladies Open. Pat Conway accounted for local star Conal McCavitt in the Mens B final. Louth Steward Heslin beat another local Peter Shanks for the Mens’s C title. Niall Kerr had a narrow victory over Conor McMahon in the Masters. Dee Harvey won the Men’s Recreational grade.
World Police and Fire games.
New York was the setting for the 2011 World Police and Fire games. Irish players Paddy Donovan, Michael O’Brien, John Lee, Jason Hannon, Tom & Michael Sheridan, Conor McDonnell & Niall Byrne had to contend with Hurricane Irene before the games even started. Meath’s Tom Sheridan won the Men’s Open singles while Paddy Donovan claimed the Masters title. This year the games were held in New York to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of 9/11.
GAA Handball All Ireland JUVENILE 60x30 Championship Finals:

The Hospital Club Limerick & Ballina Co.Tipperary hosted the Juvenile 60 x 30 finals

GU14S: Tyrone (Aoife Kelly) dft Roscommon (Fiona Tully)
BU14S: Wicklow (Daniel Curry) dft Clare (Fergal Coughlan)
GU14D: Kerry (Aileen Twomey /Aisling O Brien) dft Kildare (Kate Dagg/Aine O’Keeffe) 15-14, 5-15, 15-6.
BU14D: Wexford (Oisin Foley/Thomas Hall) dft Tipperary (Tiernan O'Brien/John Ryan) 14-21, 15-2, 15-11
GU15S: Kerry (Anna Prendiville) dft Kildare (Ciara Diggins) 15-0, 15-6
BU15S: Meath (Evan Sheridan) dft Cork (Aidan Kerins) 15-6, 15-8
GU15D: Kilkenny (Aishling Maher/Denise Love) dft Clare (Natasha Coughlan/Michelle Nihill)
BU15D: Tyrone (Johnny Woods/Ryan Mullan) dft Waterford (Jamie Joyce/Ciaran O Neill)
G15S: Maeve McElduff (Tyrone) dft Ciana Ni Churraoin (Galway) 21-4, 21-10
GU16D: Galway (Mary Fahy, Roisin Ni Chonghaile) dft Kilkenny (Mary Buggy/Catherine Foley)
BU16S Final Limerick (Paudi Quish) dft Carlow (Martin Mullins) 21-7, 21-2
BU16D: Wexford (Padraig Foley/Galen O’Riordan) dft Tipperary (Padraig O'Donoghue/Daniel Hayes) 21-13, 21-16
GU17S: Waterford (Aoife Landers) dft Dublin (Eleanor Buggy)
BU17S: Cork (Ryan Harkin) dft Carlow (Daniel O’Leary) 15-5, 15-7
BU17D: Cork (Michael Hedigan/Daniel Relihan) dft Tyrone (Pól Clarke/Gabhainn McCrystal) 15-15, 19-21, 11-6
W.I.T win Intervaristy 60 x 30 team championships
The Intervarsity team championships was won by WIT who beat DCU 69-59 in the final. WIT team winner were Nicholas Anthony, Ger McGrath, Patrick & Peter Funchtion. The finals were played in Thurles and Cashel. In the B final round robin series it was an UL 1-2 with UL “A” beating UL “B” 78-49. U.L. “A” team consisted of Danny Riordan, Shane Hayes, John Fitzgerald & Colm O’Luing.
Two out of three team championships titles for Tipperary
Thurles hosted the All-Ireland Boys 60 x 30 Team championships. Tipperary took 2 out of the 3 events. Kilkenny’s U14/15 denied them an unprecedented treble
Under 12/13
Tipperary: Jason English, Aidan O Flaherty, Kevin Shiners, Colin Ryan, Gerome Cahill, Adrian O Meara, James Princely dft Kilkenny’s Shane Dunne, Dean Farrell, Dion Bourke, Marc Purcell, Ciaran Cooney Roy Cullen, Conor Condon 66-62

Under 14/15
Klkenny: JJ English ,Padraig Cooney, Conor Lyons, Adam Clifford Pauly Clifford, Dylan Caulfield Daragh O Shea, Conor Dwyer dft Tipperary’s Kieran Casey, Ronan Burke, Michael Maher, Josh Mooney, Liam Bradshaw, Ceallach Hennessy 70-61

Under 16/17
Tipperary: Stephen Mooney, Jason Cahill, Dillon Ryan, Jack Jones dft Kilkenny’s Fergal Lalor, Stephen O'Dwyer, Eoin Doyle, Ronan Egan, Dylan Meaney 41-22

Eamonn Law Softball (60X30) Memorial Invitational Tournament:
At: Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny:
Men's Open Doubles (Semi-Finals):
Michael Ducksy Walsh (Kilkenny) & Tom. Sheridan (Meath) bt Dominic Lynch (Kerry) & Paul Hedderman (Limerick) 21-13, 21-7.
Robbie McCarthy Jnr. (Westmeath) & Brian. Carroll (Meath) bt Vinnie Moran (Mayo) &
Colm Jordan (Cork) 21-17, 21-9.
FINAL: Walsh & Sheridan dft McCarthy & Carroll 21-19, 10-21, 21-12
All-Ireland Colleges 60 x 30 finals results
Girls Junior Singles Coláiste Na Coirbe, Gaillimh (Cianna Ní Churraoin) dft Boherbue
Comprehensive School, Cork (Katie Fleming) 15-5, 15-0
Girls Junior Doubles Dean Maguire, Carrickmore (Aoife Kelly, Eilise McCrory) dft Col Chiarain, Leixlip 9-15, 15-6, 15-6
Girls Senior Singles Loreto Sec Sch. Kilkenny (Ciara Mahon) dft Coláiste Na Coirbe Gaillimh (Roisín Ní Chonghaile) 15-1, 15-0
Boys Junior Singles St. Ciaran's CS, Kells (Evan Sheridan) dft St. Mary’s College, Galway (Darragh Mulkerrins) 15-4, 15-13.
Boys Junior Doubles St. Ciaran's CS, Kells (Robert Fox, John McGovern) dft Omagh C.B.S. (Ryan Mullan, Niall Allison) 15-11, 21-12
Boys Intermediate Singles John the Baptist Community School Hospital, Limerick (Padraig Quish) dft Glenamaddy CS (Cathal Connelly) 15-5, 15-10
Boys Intermediate Doubles St. Josephs College Tulla, Clare (Colin Corbett, Niall Bolton) dft Enda Conelly, Jason Ryan Glenamaddy CS Galway 15-1, 15-11
Boys Senior Singles John the Baptist Community School Hospital, Limerick (Eamon Davern) dft Mark Nally Roscommon CBS 15-11, 15-9

Boys Senior Doubles: Cashel Community College, Tipperary (Niall Fitzgerald, Adrian O Dwyer) dft Sc. Chaitriona (Cian Ó Dailaigh, Corey Fay) 15-12, 15-7
Neary & Hughes clinch McDermott Cup in Crossakiel
Kilkenny’s Ciaran Neary & Peter Hughes Wexford teamed up to win the McDermott Cup 60 x 30 doubles for Junior/Masters players. Players from Kilkenny, Kerry, Wexford, Galway, Leitrim, Louth and Meath took part. In the final Neary & Hughes had to withstand a determined Leitrim fight back in the form of Jamie Murray & Martin Raftery to win by 21-7, 17-21, 21-11. In the plate final Peter Reilly & Joe Cummins beat Leitrim’s Eddie Lee & Donal Wrynn by 21-12, 19-21, 21-5
Armagh's Charlie Shanks and Mayo's Dessie Keegan both exited the first USA Pro Stop of the 40x20 season in Cour deAlene, Idaho.

Shanks, who moved to New York, produced some of his best handball to qualify for the main event with two wins before dominating the highly rated Armando Ortiz (Norwalk, California) 21-3, 21-17 in the last 16. He looked well on course to defeat the number two ranked Naty Alvarado taking the 1st game by 21-3. Alvarado hit back to take the 2nd by 21-17. Shanks had the opportunity to win it at 10-10 in the tie breaker but couldn’t get over the finishing line and Alvarado clinched it at the death. Mayo’s Dessie Keegan defeated Tommy Little 21-19, 21-3 but fell to Garner in the next match by 21-11, 21-5. Luis Moreno defeated Alvarado in the final by 21-7, 21-17.
Garda Championships win for Conor McDonnell
Roscommon hosted the Garda Championships on Sunday 3rd October last. Conor McDonnell was the overall winner in the senior singles. Paddy Donovan & Ger Doolin defeated Tony Flaherty & Jason Hannon in the Open doubles final.
Senior Singles: Conor McDonnell bt Campbell Brennan. Senior Doubles: Paddy Donovan & Ger Doolan defeated Tony Flaherty & Jason Hannon. Junior Singles: David Hannon defeated Gerry Quirke. Open plate doubles: Conor McDonnell & Gerry Quirke defeated Tony Flaherty & Jason Hannon
Lambert wins inaugural Wexford 1 wall championship
Wexford held their inaugural 1 wall championships in St. Joseph’s and the winners were
Men's Open Paul Lambert
Women’s Open Laura Anne Furlong
Men's A Galen Riordan
Men's B Fergal McWilliams
Men's C Bryan Kehoe
Masters Phil Coleman
Men's Recreational Stephen Kavanagh
Women’s Recreational Michelle Byrne
Boys U10 Glen Murphy
Girls U10 Cliodhna O’Connell
Boys U12 Adam Walsh
Girls U12 Holly Hynes
Boys U14 Oisin Foley
Girls U14 Chloe Cash
Collins & Hiley 2011 60 x 30 Collegiates singles champions
Shauna Hiley I.T & Fergal Collins made it a double for I.T Tralee when winning the Men’s and Ladies Collegiates 60 x 30 singles titles respectively in Kilkenny venues in October.
Full results
Men’s Open: Fergal Collins Tralee I.T. bt Nicky Anthony W.I.T.
Men’s A: Ger McGrath W.I.T bt Martin Mulkerrins UCD 21-13, 13-21, 11-6.
Men’s B: Shane Briody DCU bt Brian O’Sullivan DCU 21-20, 21-20
Men’s C: John Walsh DCU bt Eamon McNicholas UL 21-12, 21-16.
Men’s Contender: Ciaran Haberlin TCD bt Sean Killeen TCD 19-21, 21-6, 11-0
Ladies Open: Shauna Hiley I.T Tralee bt Mary Phelan Carlow I.T. 21-15, 21-4
Ladies A: Cathy Casey U.L. bt Aoife McCarty A.I.T 21-1, 21-7
Ladies B: Hazel Cuddihy U.L. bt Aileen Madden 21-13, 18-21, 11-0
G.A.A. Handball Appointments
G.A.A Handball appointed 2 new members to its staff. Eavan Mulligan is the new Operations Manager while senior player and a World Champion from 2009 Darragh Daly from the Carrickmore Club is the National Development Manager on a 12 month contract.
McCarthy’s astonishing U.S. Open singles success. Cavan’s Brady & Finnegan add the doubles.
Los Caballeros Fountain Valley was the venue for the U.S. sponsored Simple Green Open of handball. Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy went all the way in the Men’s Open in a field of 15. The Westmeath man defeated Naty Alvarado in the semi’s by 21-9, 21-15 playing mistake free handball. Charly Shanks defeated Luis Moreno in a thrilling second semi by 14-21, 21-11, 11-9. In the final it was a brilliant exhibition by 2 of Ireland’s new handball stars. McCarthy took the opening game by 21-15 but Shanks levelled it at taking game 2 by 21-18 and in an tremendous battle McCarthy broke Shanks fighting spirit winning an absorbing tie breaker by 11-9. It was a remarkable year for the 23 y.o. Westmeath man. McCarthy won the Irish 40 x 20 Nationals, Senior hardball singles, Senior sotball singles, and the U.S. Open singles having defeated Sean Lenning & Naty Alvarado on route to his historic win. McCarthy became only the 3rd Irish player to win the U.S. Open following in the footsteps of Paul Brady & Tony Healy.
In the doubles Cavan’s Paul Brady opted to play doubles with County colleague Michael Finnegan and the duo defeated reigning champions Marcos Chavez & Vince Munoz by 21-14, 21-5.
Cork’s John Casey was defeated by John Cortez from California in the Men’s A singles final after a gruelling 3 setter. Cortez won out in the end by 18-21, 21-8, 11-6
There was an all Meath pairing in the final of the Men’s B with Kells man Peter Flanagan defeating Crossakiel’s Eugene O’ Reilly by 21-12, 21-11. The Roscommon trio of Aengus Cunningham, Oisin Naughton & Neil Neilan went out in the semi-final stage. Cunningham in the Masters singles and Naughton & Neilan in the Men’s A doubles.
Antrim’s Aisling Reilly was shocked by Megan Mehilos by 21-7, 13-21, 3-11 in the Ladies open final. Dublin’s Eugene Kennedy brought the Irish winners to 4 when defeating Galway’s Morgan Darcy in the final of the Men’s Super Masters 60 + by 21-6, 21-8.A feature of the U.S. Open was the 3-wall courts specially constructed on the tennis court where Tennis star Maria Sharapova trains.
Golden Gloves win for Joe McCann & Fiona Shannon
Mayo’s Joe McCann had little time to prepare for the Golden Gloves with his participation in this year Senior softball doubles final. The Ballaghaderreen made all the running. Cork’s young star Killian Carroll great speed and retrieving all over the court was not enough as McCann’s accuracy was enough to kill of Carroll’s challenge. Fiona Shannon defeated clubmate Aisling Reilly in an exciting tie break in the ladies final.
Golden Gloves Open GAA Handball Tournament

Mens Open (National Ranking) Tournament
Final: Joe McCann (Mayo) dft Killian Carroll (Cork) 21-12, 21-10

Ladies Open (National Ranking) Tournament
Final: Fiona Shannon (Antrim) dft Aisling Reilly (Antrim) 19-21, 21-16, 11-4

Mens A Singles Final: Paddy Crothers (Antrim) dft Caolan Daly (Tyrone) 21-12, 21-8

Mens B Singles Final: Michael Carroll (Cork) dft Ciaran Neary (Kilkenny) 14-21, 21-16, 11-6

Mens C Singles Final: Peter Reilly (Meath) dft Myles McCann 21-19, 21-17

Ladies A Singles Final: Ciana Ní Churraoin (Galway) dft Aoife McConville

Masters Singles Final: Thomas Maguire (Antrim) dft Paddy Duffy (Antrim) 21-12, 21-12

Boys 19 & Under Final: Ciaran Crothers (Antrim) dft Chris Mallon (Antrim) 21-15, 21-12

Boys 17 & Under Final: Darren Doherty (Monaghan) dft Gabhainn McCrystal (Tyrone) 21-9, 10-21, 11-8

Boys 15 & Under Final: Johnny Woods (Tyrone) dft Cian McManus (Cavan) 15-10, 15-0
Foody family success on the double in John Gaffney Tournament
There was doubles success for the Foody family in Sligo when brother & sister Brendan & Rachel won their respective Boys & Girls doubles cup finals at the John Gaffney 60 x 30 Juvenile Tournament played in Williamstown. Players from Belcara, Ballymote, Fenagh, Castleconnor and the host club took part. Brendan Foody teamed up with Fenagh’s Cillian O’ Rourke and they went all the way. In the final they defeated Ballymote’s Jonathon Davaney & Patrick Murphy Belcara by 15-13, 15-2. In the Girls final Castleconnor’s Rachel Foody & Shona Ruane Belcara defeated Rachel Doherty & Emma Cosgrove 15-4, 15-4.
Joey Maher opens O’Raghalliagh’s new one-wall courts
The O’ Raghallaighs Handball Club in Drogheda officially opened their two new one-wall courts on Saturday November 5th last. Louth & Irish legend Joey Maher cut the ribbon to open the courts. In exhibition matches Down’s Lorraine Havern last year’s Ladies One-Wall champion left it late before edging Kerry’s Karen Lawlor 15-14 in a great match. Mayo’s Dessie Keegan defeated Meath’s Tom Sheridan 15-13, 15-7. Both players displaying great skills in the art of one-wall handball. Keegan took home the inaugural Eddie Maher Memorial Cup back to Mayo.
Conneely & Sheridan make winning calls in Eircom final
St. Joseph’s Wexford hosted the 2011 Eircom handball tournament. In the Division 1 final Eamon Conneely & Jim Sheridan bt Fergal Ryan & Aidan Bell by 11-14. Divison 1 plate winners were Liam Bourke & Pat Lacey. Tom Prendergast & John Sheridan had big wins in the Divison 2 series of games and it came as no surprise when they accounted for Peter Mulryan & Seamus O’Fatharta 20-18 in a well contested final.
Carroll & Casey lead Irish team in U.S. Junior Nationals
There was a staggering entry of 352 for the Irish Junior Nationals played in Kilkenny venues. Cork’s Killian Carroll had a narrow victory over Galway’s Martin Mulkerrins to secure his place on the Irish team in the 19 & Under final. Catriona Casey made it a double for the Rebel County when accounting for Westmeath’s Aoife McCarthy in the Girls 19 & Under final. Clare’s Colin Crehan had a exciting victory over Leitrim’s Donal Wrynn in the 17 & Under final. Roscommon’s Lauren O’ Riordan defeated Limerick’s Martina McMahon in the Girls 17 & Under final. Clare’s Colin Corbett also made it a double when wining the Boys 15 & Under final. Galway’s Ciana Ni Churraoin took the Girls 15 & Under title. The team will be managed by Meath’s Tom Sheridan & Tyrone’s Paula Clarke. The Irish Juniors will play in the U.S. Junior Nationals in Tucson Arizona over the Christmas.
Irish Junior 40x20 Finals Results 2011:

Girls 11 & Under Doubles Final: Leah Doyle & Niamh Masterson (Leixlip/Kildare) dft Dearbhla Coleman & Ciara Clarke (Clann Eireann/Armagh & Carrickmore/Tyrone) 11-7, 11-9
Girls 13 & Under B Singles Final: Elise McCrory (Brackey/Tyrone) dft Alana Doran (Clann Eireann/Armagh) 15-8, 15-11
Girls 13 & Under A Singles Final: Fiona Tully (St. Coman's/Roscommon) dft Niamh Coleman (Clann Eireann/Armagh) 11-15, 15-12, 11-10
Girls 15 & Under B Singles Final: Natasha Coughlan (Clooney Quinn/Clare) dft Mary Buggy (Clogh/Kilkenny) 15-7, 13-15, 11-4
Girls 15 & Under A Singles Final:Ciana Ní Churraoin (Inverin) dft Maeve McElduff (Brackey) 21-6, 21-11
Girls 17 & Under B Singles Final: Aoife Landers (Dungarvan/Waterford) dft Marie Walshe (Kells/Kilkenny) 21-19, 21-12
Girls 17 & Under A Singles Final: Lauren O'Riordain (St Comans) dft Martina McMahon (Cappagh) 21-14, 21-14
Girls 19 & Under Singles Final: Catriona Casey (Ballydesmond) dft Aoife McCarthy (Westmeath) 21-3, 21-4

Boys 11 & Under Doubles Final: Ciaran Cooney & Kyle Dunne (Clogh/Kilkenny) dft Michael Egan and Dylan Hanley (St. Coman's, Roscommon) 11-8, 9-11, 11-9
Boys 13 & Under B Final: Jerome Cahill (Lahorna/Tipperary) dft Daniel Kavanagh (St. Joseph's/Wexford) 12-15, 15-8, 11-3
Boys 13 & Under A Final: Sean Kerr (Brackey/Tyrone) dft Cian O Conghaile (Micheal Breathnach's/Galway) 15-8, 9-15, 11-7
Boys 15 & Under B Singles Final: Kiernan O'Neill (Dungarvan/Waterford) dft Aidan Kerins (Cork) 15-14, 10-15, 11-2
Boys 15 & Under A Singles Final: Colin Corbett (Tulla/Clare) dft Evan Sheridan (Kells/Meath) 21-6, 15-21, 11-7
Boys 17 & Under B Singles Final: Michael Hedigan (Cork) dft Jordan O'Neill (St. Galls/Antrim)
Boys 17 & Under A Singles Final: Colin Crehan (Kilkeeshin/Clare) dft Donal Wrynn (Fenagh/Leitrim)21-15, 21-16
Boys 19 & Under B Singles Final: Anthony Crotty (Ballyporeen/Tipperary) dft Colum Kearney (Cork) 21-7, 4-21, 11-8
Boys 19 & Under A Singles Final: Killian Carroll (Mallow) dft Martin Mulkerrins (Moycullen) 21-13, 15-21, 11-7


Brady & McCann Broadford winners

Paul Brady & Joe McCann were the top team in the Broadford doubles tournament Open.

T Healy/ D Lynch bt S Devine/ S O Tuama 21-20,21-18
D Keegan/S Cooney bt R McCarthy/ J Willoughby 21-17,8-21,11-4
P Brady/ J McCann bt V Moran/ B Fleming 21-19,21-16
CJ Fitzpatrick/S O Carroll bt C Jordan/ M Gregan 21-17,21-8
S-F
C.J.Fitzpatrick/O’Carroll bt Healy/Lynch 21-13, 8-21,11-8
Brady/Mc Cann bt Keegan/Cooney 21-16,18-21,11-2
FINAL Paul Brady, Joe McCann bt C J Fitzpatrick, Seamus O’Carroll 21-10,21-14

McCarthy & Daly Handball All-Stars players of the year
Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy & Kerry’s Maria Daly were awarded the Male & Female player of the year at the annual Handball All-Stars Banquet in Croke Park. McCarthy who had an outstanding season winning the Irish 40x20 Open Nationals, All Ireland Senior Hardball Singles, All Ireland Senior 60x30 Softball Singles and the US Open Singles title in Los Cabaleros, USA.
Maria Daly equally had an outstanding season winning the “Ladies Player of the Year accolade for the 2nd year. Daly won 3 of the 4 All Ireland senior ladies championship titles on offer, including becoming just the second player ever to win the All Ireland Senior 60x30 and 40x20 Singles championship crowns in the same year. The 2011 Handball All-Star award winners are
Official of the Year - Tommy Hegarty (Clare)
GAA Handball National Clubperson of the Year - Sean Clarke (Brackey, Tyrone)
Coach of the Year - Aengus Cunningham (Roscommon)
Special Achievement - Andrew Dowling (Laois)
Team of the Year - Barry Goff & Colin Keeling (Wexford)
Hall of Fame - Joey Maher (Louth)
GAA Handball International Player of the Year - Fiona Shannon (Antrim)
Masters All-Star Player of the Year - Michael 'Ducksy' Walsh (Kilkenny)
Youth Female Player of the Year - Cianna Ní Churraoin (Galway)
Youth Male Player of the Year - Killian Carroll (Cork)
Young Female Player of the Year - Caitriona Casey (Cork)
Young Male Player of the Year - Niall O'Connor (Leixlip, Kildare)
Female Player of the Year - Maria Daly (Kerry)
Male Player of the Year - Robbie McCarthy (Westmeath)
Club of the Year - Mount Talbot (Roscommon)
GAA Handball President's Award - Sean Clerkin (Na Fianna, Dublin)

Intervarsity team title for UCD
St. Joseph’s Wexford hosted the Collegiates 40 x 20 team championships from Friday 25th-27th November last.U.C.D. captured the collegiate team title with an 126-66 win over DCU. U.C.D were represented by Martin Mulkerrins, Diarmuid Nash, Mark McGowan & Michael Busher. Deirdre Donohoe & Catherine Casey U.L. dft Marianna & Hilery Rushe U.C.D. by 21-17, 21-11.
Club titles for Ballaghaderreen, Liscarroll, Fenagh & Ballina
The Ballaghaderreen continued on winning ways in the club championships when winning the 40 x 20 Open club title for the 7th successive year. They Mayo club defeated Antrim’s Gort na Mona 81-38. Cork’s Liscarroll took the Junior titl, Fenagh in Leitrim claimed the Junior B crown & Tipperary club Ballina the Intermediate title.
Ballaghaderreen, Mayo (Dessie Keegan, Joe McCann, Vinnie Moran, Paul Flynn & Stephen Cooney dft Gort na Mona, Antrim (Ricky McCann, Paddy Crothers, John McGarry, Eddie Mallon & Paul Graham 81-38
Junior B: Fenagh, Leitrim (Jamie Murray, Martin Raftery, Donal Wrynn, Leo Logan & Michael Doonan) dft Garryhill, Carlow (Daniel Fenlon, Shane Fenlon, Keith Rossiter, Oliver Ryan) 104-64

Junior: Liscarroll, Cork (Shane Hedigan, Arthur O Neill, Denis O Neill, Michael Hedigan) dft Leixlip, Kildare (Paul Moran, Niall O'Connor, Padraig Maguire and Robert Maguire) 101-91
Ballina Fergal Collins, Mike Carroll Martin McInerney, Ger Coonan) dft Coolboy (Jerome Willoughby, Michael Lennon, Pat Quaile, Keith Kavanagh) 104-59
In the John Gaffney Memorial Qualifying tournament played in Ballaghaderreen on the Sunday before Christmans the winners were
Obituaries –Friends we lost in 2011
Breda Herlihy: (Cork) Mother of John Herlihy the well known Cork Handball player on January 25th last. Removal to took place to St Catherines Church, Conna. Requiem Mass Friday on Friday 28th January and burial afterwards in St Michaels Cemetary, Blackrock, Cork.
Michael Muphy: Ballydesmond Cork January 26th last Michael was a keen player and official of the Cork County Handball Board. Removal took place to the local church and burial in the local cemetery following Funeral Mass on Saturday January 29th last.

Liam Ferguson: Dublin and late of Ballymoe Co. Galway. Ex Gards Siochana and member of the Garda Handball Club on Thursday February 10th last. Removal to Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Navan Road. Funeral took place on Monday 15th February, after 11am Mass to Glasnevin Crematorium.

Margaret Lawlor : mother of Pierce Lalor Moycullen Handball Club (née Campion) of Bunlacken Cullohill, Laois on Monday February 21st last . Removal to St Tighernach's Church Cullohill. Requiem Mass on Thursday at 11.00am followed by burial in Durrow cemetery on February 24th last.
Anthony Duffy: brother of Seamus Duffy Sligo handball player on Sunday March 13th last. Removal, Wednesday at 1.45 pm to the Church of the Immaculate Conception Ballymote with Funeral Mass at 2pm. Burial followed in St. Columbus Cemetery.
Peter Grogan: Carrickmore Co. Tyrone. Peter was an ardent follower of GAA Handball all over Ireland and played a key role in the sport in his hometown club of Carrickmore. A brother of the late Paddy Grogan, Funeral took place in Carrickmore on Friday 25th March.
Sean Clerkin: Dublin on Tuesday April 12th. Removal took place to Church of Our Lady Help of Christians Navan Road. Funeral took place to St. Mary’s Church Cemetery Clonsilla on Friday 15th April last.
Chris Flynn, Boherbue Cork. Unexpectedly at his home in Dermitubrid on Tuesday April 12th last. Father of Shane Flynn, Cork Juvenile Handball player, and brother-in law to Danny Lenihan. Burial took place after Requiem Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Boherbue on Thursday 14th April.

Michael Ginley Snr, Bonniconlon Mayo. Father of Michael Ginley Jnr Bonniconlon and Mayo handball player. Removal took place to the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Bonniconlon. Requiem Mass on Sunday May 1st with burial afterwards in local cemetery.
. Carter (nee Wall) Glenidan, Collinstown, Co. Westmeath) May 17, 2011, at the Mater Hospital. Daughter of Phil & Vera (Former Chairman Crossakiel Handball Club) Jacqui, after a short illness, bravely borne; deeply regretted by her husband John, daughters Emma, Niamh and Áine, sister Mary, mother-in-law Betty, brothers-in-law Brendan, Des and Martin, sisters-in-law Mags and Ita, nephews Ian, Edward, Stephen and Darragh, relatives, friends and neighbours. R.I.P. Removal to St. Mary's Church, Collinstown. Requiem Mass on Thursday 19th May . Burial took place afterwards in local cemetery.
Anna Healy (nee Guinnane) Clarecastle Clare July 15th 2011. Mother of Pat, James and Derek Healy, all of whom have represented their county in Handball over the years. Removal from Kennedy’s Funeral Home Ennis to Clarecastle Church. Burial took place after Requiem Mass to Clare Hill Cemetary on Monday July 18th last.

Walter Geraghty: Father of Padraig Geraghty Mayo handball player on Thursday July 21st. Removal took place from Coady’s Funeral Home Castlebar to the Church of the Holy Rosary Castlebar. Requiem Mass on Sunday July 24th with burial afterwards in Castlebar New Cemetery.
John O’ Flaherty: Youghalarra, Nenagh Co. Tipperary 25th July 2011. Father of Tony & Pat O’Flaherty from Youghalarra Handball Club. Removal took place from his son Dermot’s residence to Youghalarra for Requiem Mass followed by burial in Youghalarra Cemetery.
Joseph (Joe) McArdle Snr: Dunleer Co. Louth on July 29th 2011. In his 82nd year he passed away. Former All-Ireland Senior Hardball Champion. Joe won 3 All-Ireland’s, 4 Leinster Provincials and 2 Louth championships medals in hardball. Joe died peacefully at our Lady’s Hospital Drogheda. Removal took place to St. Brigid’s Church Dunleer for Requiem Mass and burial in Dromin Cemetery
Nan McCabe (nee McGrane) of Miltown Kilskyre Co. Meath. Thursday 11th August 2011 Mother of Crossakiel club player Pat McCabe. Removal from her residence arriving in Kilskyre Church for Funeral Mass at 1 p.m. Burial afterwards in adjoining cemetery on Sunday 14th August

John Barton: Dublin & Annascaul Co.Kerry. Thursday September 8th 2011. Former All-Ireland handball champion. At his home, John deeply regretted by his wife Kathleen and family Eva, Deane, Mark and Ellen, his brother Tommy relatives and friends. R.I.P. Funeral Mass in Annascaul Church and funeral afterwards to Ballinclar Cemetery.
Mattew Reilly of Drumcondra Dublin. Tuesday October 4th 2011. Uncle of John Reilly Crossakiel Handball Club Treasurer. Late of Kieran Carnaross. Removal from his residence to Corpus Christi Church Home Farm Road. Funneral Mass on Friday 7th October followed by Burial in Holy Family Cemetery, Carnaross, Kells Co. Meath.
Mary Kate Heaney, (nee Doherty) Fenagh Co. Leitrim: Sunday 23rd October 2011. Peacefully, at the Rivermeade Unit, St. Patrick's Hospital, Carrick-on-Shannon. Mother of Peter Heaney Connacht Handball Vice-Chairman. Removal from her residence on Tuesday evening, arriving to St. Mary's Church, Foxfield at 7pm. Funeral Mass on Wednesday 26th October at 12 noon, followed by burial in Fenagh Abbey cemetery.
Breege Naughton (nee Foody)
Aunt of Tom Foody Castleconnor on Saturday October 12th. Removal to St. Joseph's Church, Castleconnor. Funeral Mass on Tuesday October 15th at 11am, followed by burial in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Kilglass.
Noreen Donnellan, (née Walsh) of Newpark, Kilkishen, Clare. Wife of Pat Donnellan Kilkishen Handball Club. Saturday October 12th Funeral Mass Tuesday 15th October, at 12 noon in St. Mary's Church, Kilmurray followed by burial in Clonlea Cemetery, Kilkishen.
Chrissie (Christine) Dennehy (nee Mehigan) Co. Cork Wife of Peter Dennehy Munster Handball Secretary. Unexpectedly on Wednesday November 16th. Removal to Church of the Immaculate Conception, The Lough. Funeral on Saturday 19th after 12 noon. Requiem Mass to St. James' Cemetery, Chetwynd.
Kathleen Tuffy (nee Kilcullen) R.I.P. Grandmother of Castleconnor club player Tom Tuffy on Saturday November 26th last. Removal to St. Joseph's Church, Castleconnor. Requiem Mass Tuesday 29th November morning and burial afterwards in Kilanley Cemetery,Castleconnor.
Liam Molloy. Representing Meath, Liam Molloy was a former All Ireland Senior 60x30 Doubles Champion (1967). Requiem Mass Tuesday 13th December in Kells, Meath, at 11.00am.
Pauline Gallagher, nee Mullen, Corhownagh, Ballisodare, Co Sligo. Monday 12th December 2011. Aunt of Peter Davey Collooney Handball Club. Peacefully at St Phelim's Nursing Home, Dromahair. Reposing at her residence in Corhowanagh . Removal on Thursday morning to St. Brigid's Church Corhownagh for Mass of the Resurrection at 11am. Burial immediately afterwards in St. Nathy's Cemetery Collooney.
Michael Porter, Kilmacowen, Ballisodare, Co. Sligo, and formerly of Ballymote on Thursday December 15th.Michael won Minor doubles in 1977, Junior hardball and softball doubles in the 70’s & 80’s.Masters A singles champion in 2002. He is survived by his wife Margaret, Son, Jonathan and daughters Catherine and Sarah, both his parents and a sister. He will be sadly missed by his family, handball friends far and wide. Late staff of Eircom, Sligo. Peacefully at home. Mass of the Resurrection at 1pm on Sunday 18th December in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Ransboro. Burial follows in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Scarden, Strandhill Road.


I would like to take this opportunity to wish all GAA Handball units a very merry Christmas and for a sporting and prosperous new year.
Michael McGee