Sligo Handball Secretary Michael McGee report for 2011

Sligo Handball Report 2011 – Tuairisc An Runai by Michael McGee

Francis McCann wins his 17th All-Ireland. An historic 1st All-Ireland handball title for John McLoughlin & Michael McMorrow. Six Connacht adult handball titles & six at Juvenile level come to Sligo. Interprovincial win for Aoife Quinn in Girls team of 10 final. McCann awarded Connacht handball “Masters player of the year award” for 2011. Sligo G.A.A Chairman Cyril Feehily makes G.A.A. history as he attends AGM of the Sligo Handball Board the first Sligo G.A.A Chairman ever to do so. Some of the highlights in a great year for Sligo Handball
The handball year started on Sunday January 2nd last with the final of the Castleconnor 40 X 20 team tournament. Team C comprising of Martin Cooney, Joe Neary, Tom Foody, Tom Tuffy, Patrick Foy & Padraig Maye proved too strong for Team A off John McLoughlin, Michael Conlon, John Gilmartin, Larry Jones, Mark Murphy & Jason Earlis. The final scoreline was 125-79. Collooney handball held an important meeting to discuss the plans for the new handball facilities on Saturday 15th January last. The meeting was attended by all clubs and included Cyril Feehily Sligo G.A.A Chairman, Martin Cannon Owenmore Gaels Chairman, Michael McMorrow Handball Board Chairman. P.J. Moran is the Civil Engineer and he gave a comprehensive & detailed speech on the plans. Just 4 days later Cyril Feehily addressed the monthly meeting of the County Handball Board and it was an historic occasion as Cyril became the first Sligo G.A.A Chairman to attend a Co.Handball Board meeting. It proved to be a excellent meeting and firm links between the boards have now been established. Outside of handball Aclare’s Padraig Maye continued his astonishing capture of medals. In the All-Ireland Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships in Nenagh Maye representing Ballina A.C. won Gold in the Shott Putt & high jump. He also took silver in the long jump and bronze in the 60 metres. Maye followed this up by winning 2 more gold medals in the British Masters Track & Field Championships at Lee Valley London. He won gold in the long jumps & triple jump. In fact his 8.51 in the triple jump set a new Irish record in his age group Over 70 category. I want to congratulate Padraig also a noted handballer and All-Ireland handball champion for his many achievements in athletics & handball.
Francis McCann & Barry McLoughlin land the Gerard Jones Memorial Cup
Castleconnor hosted the 17th Annual Gerard Jones Memorial Cup on the last Sunday in January. Twenty six players entered and it was a tournament that 14 y.o. Barry McLoughlin will never forget as he teamed up with one the greatest players this County has ever produced in Ballymote’s Francis McCann. The duo defeated Michael Browne & Stanley Harte Snr by 31-25 after a thrilling final. Padraig Maye 70 and Larry Jones beat Oisinn Quinn & Seamus Duffy by 31-13 to secure the plate final. Cyril Feehily Sligo G.A.A Chairman was there to witness a fantastic final and to make the presentations afterwards. I want to complement the Castleconnor club Mark Murphy, Micheal Jones, Larry Jones and the ladies committee who worked diligently behind the scenes ensuring it was one of the best Tournaments in its 17 year history.
The Connacht Championships singles started against Mayo on Feb 13th last and it proved unlucky for most of our players. Only Paddy Walsh was successful when he accounted for John Kenny in straight games. Michael Bruen, Seamus Duffy, Ken Cunningham, Connell Cannon all went down to Mayo opponents despite all putting in creditable performances in the Sligo colours. Martin Cooney almost pulled off a great victory when 3-17 behind to George Miller in the tie breaker and staged a remarkable recovery to close the gap to 16-18 but Miller closed it off getting the remaining 3 points for victory. In the doubles semi-finals the following week only Michael Bruen/Gerry Coleman in the Junior C and Seamus O’Duffy/Pat O’Sullivan qualified for the finals. The Emerald Masters B doubles pair off Connell Cannon & Michael McMorrow can count themselves unlucky not to be joining the above following a narrow 18-21, 20-21 loss to Mayo’s Pat Hayes & Jimmy Sheridan.
St. Mary’s club man Connell Cannon 5-year term of office as Connacht Council’s Secretary came to an end in February but found himself having to stay on in the position. Connell is one of the most dedicated and committed officials that has served on the Connacht Handball Secretary in its 65 year history. I would like to thank Connell sincerely for his wonderful contribution to the Connacht Handball in the role. He is a wonderful servant to Sligo handball. Just like his predecessor John McLoughlin also held the position and was equally a very dedicated official. These are the people whom I look up to and strive to emulate even though I know I never will no matter how hard I try Gavin Cawley from Sligo the DCU Student lost to Luis Velasquez in the Division 3 contender final at the 59TH U.S.H.A Collegiates in Arizona. It as a great achievement for young Cawley who only took up handball 6 months ago.
Sligo’s Paddy “Ducksy” Walsh strikes Connacht Gold
Paddy Walsh was the first adult player to win the Connacht title in 2011. In Curraghboy on Saturday 26th February Walsh came up against Galway’s Padhraic O’Fatharta and despite a shaky start Walsh recovered well to take the title for the county on a 11-21, 21-3, 21-2 score line.
Duffy & O’Sullivan’s stunning comeback in Connacht final
The following week seen the doubles final take place and there was a double header in Claremorris involving Sligo teams. Seamus Duffy & Pat O’Sullivan made a stunning comeback against Roscommon’s Noel Raftery & Seamus McHugh. Roscommon led by 20-17 and Raftery had a chance of taking the 1st game for Roscommon but his shot just missed the front wall by centimetres it was that close. Duffy & O’Sullivan got over that scare and soon drew level at 20-20 and Seamus Duffy placed the winning passing shot down McHugh’s right side. In the 2nd Roscommon again held the advantage of 12-6. After a long rally that Roscommon won they took a time out. When play resumed after that heart bursting rally it seemed to take the wind out of their sails and Duffy & O’Sullivan took full advantage and hit 15 unanswered points in a row to take the title. In the Junior C doubles final Michael Bruen & Gerry Coleman had to be content with runners-up spot following a 21-6, 21-6 defeat to Roscommon’s John Burke & Cathal Kirrane.
Paddy Walsh travelled to Moycullen to take on Cork’s Tony Buckley in the All-Ireland semi-final of the Ruby Masters singles grade and was made fight all the way before reaching the final with an 21-17, 21-15 victory over the Cork man. Despite being behind in both games Walsh’s dogged determination and calling on all his experience did just enough to qualify for the final. Seamus Duffy & Pat O’Sullivan had home advantage in the All- Ireland Diamond Masters A doubles semi final against Dan O’Brien & Mick Jordan Cork but the duo received a bye following an injury to one of the Cork players.
Disappointment for Walsh, Duffy & O’Sullivan in finals
Sligo’s Paddy Walsh suffered a heavy defeat in the final of the Ruby Masters Singles final in Abbeylara. Walsh couldn’t unhinge Antrim’s Seamus Graham who used the spin serve to telling effect. Graham opened up a 7-2 lead in game one but Walsh fought back to only 7-6 behind. It didn’t get any better for the Sligo player as Graham who perfected the spin serve from the legendary Clare man Pat Kirby opened up a sizeable lead and Walsh was powerless to respond. Graham went on to the take game 1 by 21-7 and the second impressively by 21-2.
One week later there was no joy for our doubles team either. It was a long way back from Tipperary for Sligo Diamond Masters doubles pairing of Seamus Duffy & Pat O’Sullivan who suffered a heavy 21-5, 21-4 defeat to Wexford’s Ned Buggy & Gareth Somers in the All-Ireland Diamond Masters A doubles final played in Nenagh. Oisin Quinn took part in the Williamstown 1-wall tournament when we entered the Men’s Challenger grade.
McLoughlin inspires Collooney to County interclub win
The final of the Sligo handball Interclub 60 x 30 final took place in Collooney. Veteran player John McLoughlin showed his experience when helping Collooney to an impressive 113-84 victory over Castleconnor. Collooney who reached the All-Ireland club final in 2009 handed a debut to 17 y.o. Tommy Trill. Trill played excellent handball is his 1st competitive game at senior level when getting the better of strong opponent in Castleconnor’s Mark Murphy. Trill took the 1st game by 21-17. Murphy began to read Trill’s style of play into the second and was able to counteract Trill’s early dominance with some sublime finishing, positional awareness and good serving to the teenager’s left hand. Trill held an early 9-6 advantage but Murphy worked harder and then took a sizable lead that he would not relinquish. Trill could not add to his score and Murphy powered home to an 21-9 win.For the doubles in came John McLoughlin & Michael Bruen for Collooney and representing Castleconnor were Tom Foody & Tom Tuffy. McLoughlin & Bruen easily took the 1st game by 21-5 and it didn’t get any better for the Castleconnor men as McLoughlin served 17 winners in a row and Tuffy on the right side of court and was hapless to prevent McLoughlin’s onslaught. In the end it finished 21-3 in the Collooney’s men’s favour and the contest was effectively over. Collooney now lead by 72-46 leaving Collooney’s 2nd singles player Michael Bruen only needing 16 points for overall victory. This he did when defeating Joe Gorman 21-17, 20-21.
Collooney took on Mayo club champions Claremorris in the Connacht handball championships 60 x 30 interclub semi-final. Unfortunately the team went down by 70-104. The team on duty were Tommy Trill, John McLoughlin, Michael Bruen & Gerry Coleman.
Francis Mc Cann runner up in One Wall Nationals in Castlebar
For the 2nd year in a row Francis Mc Cann reached the Goldean Masters singles at the 1-wall Nationals. There was a record entry of 500 with players from the U.S., Puerto Rico, Italy, England and Ireland. McCann defeated former Ballymote native John Cawley now a resident in Clare by 22-10 in the semi-finals. In the final itself McCann again found Galway’s Eamon Conneely in inspired form and fell to the Tribesman on a final score line of 25-13.McCann’s clubmate Martin Golden reached the semi-final of the Silver Masters grade. Oisin Quinn also represented the County in Castlebar. Mary McLouglin, Noel McLoughlin, Jason Earlis, Mary Earlis & Oisin Quinn all from the Castleconnor club completed a Foundation Level Coaching Course in Drumkerrin Leitrim.
Co. Chairman visits Clare

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 and I was delighted to hear that County Chairman Mick McMorrow was there to represent Sligo. 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 and winner of the prestigious USA Hall of Fame in 1986. Kirby started playing handball at seven years of 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. Perhaps it was this that inspired Michael McMorrow to one of his greatest victory’s in the Sligo shirt the following day.
McMorrow’s magnificent fightback
There was mixed results from Sligo handballers in the semi-finals of the Connacht 60 x 30 championships against Mayo. Legendary player Paddy Walsh got Sligo of to the perfect start when defeating Mayo’s John Kenny by 21-17, 21-12. Walsh had to be near his best to reach the final. Kenny pushed Walsh all the way in game one with the St. Mary’s club man just about edging it. Into the second Walsh found himself 8-0 down before storming back to win comfortably in the end. In the Emerald Masters B singles it proved the match of the weekend with Michael McMorrow getting the better of Mayo’s Eugene Maloney in a 3 game thriller in Collooney. McMorrow was well on top in game one taking it by 21-16 but Maloney hit back immediately in game 2. Maloney played superbly and McMorrow struggled to keep in contention. The Mayo man taking game 2 by 21-10. In an exciting 3rd game McMorrow regained his composure and put in some sterling work with excellent deft serving to Maloney’s left corner and finished well when in good positions. Maloney to his credit battled to the very end in an contest that could have went either way. McMorrow’s great battling qualities stood to him in the closing stages. Maloney exerted serious pressure and McMorrow somehow was able and pull the game out of the fire winning it by 21-19 in an absorbing final game. There was also wins for Francis McCann Golden Masters A & Shane Bruen who played excellent handball in defeating George Miller by 21-6, 21-8 in the Over 35 singles grade. Martin Golden & Peter Chambers received walkovers while Tom Tuffy & Mark Murphy went out of the Championships in the Jun C & B singles respectively as did Hugh McGarry in the Emerald Masters A singles defeat to Kevin Geraghty.
Sligo doubles teams reach Connacht finals
In the doubles against Mayo Mick McMorrow & John McLoughlin were first to qualify for the doubles with a facile 21-6, 21-3 victory over Pat Hayes & Jimmy Sheridan. All the doubles games were played in Castlebar. Peter Chambers & Stanley Harte had a great 21-14, 21-8 win over James McNulty & Tom Kenny to also qualify for the Connacht doubles finals. Paddy Walsh & Mick Kelly surrendered their Ruby Masters Doubles Connacht & All-Ireland titles after their defeat to Mayo’s John Kenny & Tom Derrig by 21-7, 21-9. The Junior C doubles pairing of Tom Tuffy & Michael Browne suffered the same fate. Michael Browne & Tom Foody were beaten by Peter Cassidy & Chris Gavaghan at the semi-final stage in the Junior B doubles.Cully organised a 3 wall open tournament in its picturesque 1 wall court at the crossroads as part of Curry’s GAA Club 125 celebrations on the August Bank Holiday weekend. Eighteen players took part and after a long day’s handball Shane Bruen & Jason Earlis emerged winners.
Four Connacht 60 x 30 titles for Sligo
In the 1st of the Connacht singles finals Mick McMorrow, Peter Chambers, Martin Golden & Shane Bruen were all beaten in a black weekend for Sligo Handball in early August. Hugh McGarry & Francis McCann brought a welcome relief as 2 days later they reached the Golden Masters A doubles final with an 21-5, 21-15 win over Mayo’s Padraig Geraghty and Jimmy Staunton. Unfortunately the Connacht final did not go ahead as a Roscommon player was on fire call duty. In the Golden Masters B doubles Connacht final Peter Chambers & Stanley Harte were defeated by 8-21, 5-21 to Willie Corcoran & Mike Shaughnessy of Roscommon.Francis McCann & Paddy Walsh received byes in the finals to go straight into the All-Ireland semi-finals. Michael McMorrow & John McLoughlin also received a bye in the Emerald Doubles Connacht final
In the All-Ireland Ruby Masters singles Paddy Walsh’s long journey to Ballina Co Tipperary was in vain as Clare’s John Kirby had to much for our legendary hero by 21-5, 21-12. Better news from Ballyporeen seen Ballymote’s Francis McCann beat Tipperary’s Pat Ryan in Ballyporeen. McCann had to call on all his vast experience and battling skills to defeat Ryan in the Golden Masters A Singles final in a 3 game thriller in order to qualify for the final. Collooney hosted 2 All-Ireland doubles semi-finals and the Emerald Masters B doubles of Michael McMorrow and John McLoughlin defeated Eamon Spillane & Gerry Foley by 21-12, 21-13. Michael McMorrow was quite impressive playing on the left as he brought the fight to the Tipperary men from the off. In the second semi Francis McCann & Hugh McGarry lost out in a tense hard fought Golden Masters A doubles going down to Pat Griffin & Tony O’ Flaherty by 18-21, 13-21. Francis McCann gave a wonderful display throughout. The same weekend St. Mary’s Seamus Duffy completed the gruelling Warriors run from Strandhill to Knocknarea and back again in a record time of 86 minutes
All-Ireland title for McLoughlin & McMorrow
Crinkle was the venue for the Emerald Masters B doubles final and it was an historic occasion for John McLoughlin & Michael McMorrow. Our heroes took on Kilkenny’s Jim Dooley & Gerry Murphy. The 2 Mc’s won the 1st game comfortably by 21-12. In the 2nd Kilkenny went into a 13-7 lead but the boys drew level at 17 all but unfortunately could not add to it and Kilkenny finished the stronger winning the 2nd by 21-17. Into the 3rd Michael McMorrow played outstanding handball close in with some great precision kills while John McLoughlin’s great overhand play and returns put Sligo into an 18-13 lead. Kilkenny got into serve and 2 long rallies began. McLoughlin finishing was 1st class and with 2 kills and Kilkenny’s dream was over. McMorrow ended the game in stunning style serving 3 aces in a row that were not returned giving John & Michael their 1st and Sligo’s 1st All-Ireland handball title of the year. It was a brilliant display by the duo and I congratulate them for not only winning but having the persistence and determination to keep going after years of heartache.
McCann the handball magician weaves his magic
Just 48 hour later Ballymote’s Francis McCann entered the fray in the Golden Masters A singles final against Cavan’s Mickeleen Brady in Roscommon. Francis was pushed all the way by the dogged Brady who refused to go lightly. Brady got many winners into the left hand corner and Francis had to have the strength and courage to weather the storm. Towards the end of both games he took control. In the closing stages of the 2nd game with the large support from Sligo and in particular his home club willing him home to victory. He relaxed and we finally got to see what a wonderful handball player he is. Francis got many passing shots to the left and right and pinned Brady at the back court eventually winning by 21-11, 21-13. It was Francis’s 17th All-Ireland title. He won his 1st title the minor doubles with club mate Michael Porter back in 1977 and 34 years later the Ballymote handball magician is still weaving his magic. On behalf of the Co.Board I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to Michael McMorrow, John McLouglin & Francis McCann on their outstanding achievements this year in winning All-Ireland titles. Well done.
McCann & Fox celebrate Hannon Cup win
The Ballymote club organised the Annual Michael Hannon Cup on Sunday October 2nd last. Francis McCann & Pat Fox just 16 y.o. defeated Joe Dowling & Larry Jones in a thrilling final by 31-27. In the plate final Martin Golden & Tom Foody defeated Tommy Trill & Stanley Harte Jnr both 16 year olds by 31-15. Next year the club will host the 25th Annual Michael Hannon Cup competition.

Francis McCann Connacht ” Masters” player of the year 2011

Francis McCann was selected by the Province for the "Masters player of the Year" Award. McCann had an excellent year in the handball courts culminating in winning Connacht and that never to be forgotten All-Ireland Golden Masters A singles final on Sunday 25th September last defeating Cavan's Mickeleen Brady by 21-11, 21-13. It was McCann's 17th All-Ireland handball title in an outstanding handball career. McCann won his first All-Ireland winning the minor doubles title with club mate Michael Porter in 1977. McCann was the only nominee from Sligo as he received the Connacht Handball Masters player of the Year award in Croke Park on Saturday November 19th one of the all time greats of Sligo handball.
Castleconnor, Sligo representatives in the Connacht Junior B Interclub 40 x 20 championships bowed out at the quarter final stage to a strong Charlestown side by 86-126 played in Williamstown. The Castleconnor side on duty were Mark Murphy, Michael Browne, Larry Jones & Michael Jones.
Six teams have entered in the Sligo Handball 40 x 20 team leagues. At the moment the St. Mary’s, Castleconnor A & B sides & Drumcliff are pushing hard to become champions. The final is fixed for Wednesday January 18th next.
Juveniles: Connacht titles for Marianna Foody & Aoife Quinn
Castleconnor’s Marianna Foody & Aoife Quinn representing Convent of Mercy Ballina were awarded the Connacht Colleges 40 x 20 1st year girls doubles after the withdrawal of Jessica McDermott & Aoife Tully Convent of Mercy Roscommon. Jason Earlis, Jesus & Mary College Enniscrone reached the semi-final of the Junior singles but fell to Galway’s Enna Kelleghan. Sligo took on Leitrim in the Connacht A championships played in St. Mary’s on Wednesday 23rd February last. Tommy Trill fell to Shane Doonan by 12-21, 5-21 while Adam McGoldrick accounted for Shane’s cousin Michael by 21-12, 21-14 in the U-17 singles.
In the Cumann na mBunscoil competition held in Invirin Galway Sligo were represented by Rachel Foody (Stokane N.S.) Girls U-11 singles who received a bronze medal in the round robin series of games. Mary & Brendan Foody U-13 singles both Stokane N.S. & Boys U-13 doubles Odhran Quinn & Sean Currabine (Gorbally N.S.) were all beaten in the early rounds.
Williamstown was the venue for the Connacht Juvenile A 40 x 20 championships semi-finals and unfortunately all of our rising young stars went down to Galway players. Ross Taheny U-14 Singles, Jason Earlis U-15 singles, Stanley Harte & Barry McLoughlin U-15 doubles & Adam McGoldrick U-17 singles all went down in straight games. The U-15 Girls doubles Marianna Foody & Aoife Quinn received a bye in Connacht.
Brendan Foody, Jason Earlis & Tommy Trill win County Championships Juvenile 40 x 20 titles
Castleconnor hosted the County Juvenile finals on Saturday 12th March and there was wins for Brendan Foody in the Boys U-13 singles. This was a very exciting match with players deadlocked on 19-19 after the 15 minutes. In the 5 minutes extra Foody earned his victory with a 30-26 over Sean Carrabine. Jason Earlis won the U-15 singles but was made to fight all the way before securing his county title with an 18-13 win over Collooney’s Stanley Harte. Tommy Trill won by doubles scores over Noel McLoughlin 22-11 the final score in the Boys U-17 singles final. There was also wins for Tony Fox Boys U13, Patrick Fox Boys U-15 & Shane Wright Boys U-17 singles in the plate finals
Aoife Quinn & Marianna Foody represented Connacht in the All-Ireland Juvenile semi-finals. Having received a bye in Connacht the Girls U-15 doubles they took on Clare’s Natasha Coughlin & Michelle Nihill in Invirin. However the girls were beaten by 5-15, 7-15.
Noel McLoughlin & Shane Wright Connacht Juvenile B champions
Drumcliff hosted the quarter finals of the Connacht Juvenile B championships v Leitrim and there was mixed luck for our young players. The Girls U-12 doubles of Mary & Rachel Foody and the Boys U-12 singles Odhran Quinn both won but Sean Carrabine/Brendan Foody U-13 doubles & Patrick Fox U-15 singles went down to Leitrim. Williamstown is not a happy hunting ground for our Juvenile players as in the Juvenile A Championships all our young stars exited at the semi-finals of the B championships against Galway. Girls U-12 Doubles: Rachel & Mary Foody, Boys U-12 Singles: Ordhran Quinn and Girls U-14 Singles: Catriona Swift had to be content with creditable showings against Galway players. Levi Keavney & Alan Gilmartin reached the U17 doubles but were beaten by Galway’s Darren Conneely & Diarmuid McFhlannachadha Galway by 15-7, 15-3. It was all down to Noel McLoughlin & Shane Wright to bring a Connacht Juvenile 40 x 20 title back to Sligo and the Castleconnor lads did not disappoint following their 21-5, 21-14 victory over Roscommon’s Stephen Regan & Ross Melvin by 21-15, 21-14 in the refixed Connacht finals played in Castlebar.
Sligo U16/17 team reach All-Ireland semi-final
Tommy Trill, Jason Earlis, Barry McLoughlin, Stanley Harte and Sub Alan Gilmartin beat Galway in the final of the Connacht U16/17 team final played in Williamstown by 60-42. In the All-Ireland semi-final played in Kingscourt v Tippearary. Tommy Trill & Stanley Harte lost the 1st doubles to Marcus Troy & Jason Cahill by 2-15, 3-15. That left an uphill battle for Sligo’s 2nd doubles representatives of Jason Earlis & Barry McLoughlin. Earlis & McLoughlin could not pull back the lead and Tipperary eased into the final. Tipperary went on to defeat Kilkenny in the final

Interprovincial team title for Castleconnor’s Aoife Quinn

Aoife Quinn a member of the Castleconnor Club played her part as a member of the Connacht Girls Interprovincial team of 10 that beat Ulster in the final. Connacht beat Ulster in the final by 101-50.

Odhran and Aoife Quinn represented Sligo in the Williamstown 1-WALL Tournament on May 22nd last. Aoife reached the 2nd round of the Girls U-14,while Odhran was runner-up in the plate Boys U-12 final

County 1-wall handball titles for Harte, Quinn & Swift

Castleconnor hosted the Sligo Juvenile 1-wall championships on Saturday 11th June last and it was the young Castleconnor players that took most of the main prizes. Caitriona Swift defeated her compatriot Rachel Foody in the Girls U-13 final. Aoife Quinn proved too strong for club mate Marianna Foody in the Girls U-14 final. Collooney’s Stanley Harte was the star in the Boys U-15 grade. Harte with his strong left hand using it effectively was the main difference in the final with Castleconnor’s Jason Earlis. Harte ran out a comfortable winner in the end by 15-9.

Girls U-13 singles: Catriona Swift Castleconnor dft Rachel Foody Castleconnor 8-3
Plate final: Mary Foody Castleconnor dft Leah Swift Castleconnor 15-7
Girls U-14 singles final: Aoife Quinn Castleconnor dft Marianna Foody Castleconnor 18-9

Boys U-13 plate final: Conor Booth Ballymote dft Sean Carabine Castleconnor 13-12
Boys U-15 final: Stanley Harte Collooney dft Jason Earlis Castleconnor 15-9
Boys U-15 plate final Barry McLoughlin Castleconnor dft Shane Wright Castleconnor 14-12.

Castleconnor Feile teams fare well
Galway hosted this year’s finals with over 8,000 players from all over the Country taking part in Hurling, Camogie and Handball. The Castleconnor Club from Sligo failed to get past the group stages. The Boys team finished runners up in the Boys Division 4 group. In their 1st game they lost to Mallow from Cork and then followed up with a draw against Russell Gaelic Union from Down before suffering defeat at the hands of the Kilfane club from Kilkenny. The Castleconnor team consisted of Brendan Foody, Cian Barrins, Sean Carrabine & Odhran Quinn. I would like to thank officials Tom Foody & Oisin Quinn who played their part in the feile teams. Both officials worked hard to fully kit the teams out with new playing gear.
Castleconnor also entered a girls team and they were runners up in the Girls Division 2. The girls got off to a great start defeating Clarecastle from Clare but they were defeated by a strong Micheal Breathnach side from Galway and in their last game drew with the Clogh Club from Kilkenny.
Odhran Quinn wins in Mount Talbot & Plate winner in National One Wall finals
Odhran Quinn won the Boys U-12 singles final at the Mount Talbot Tournament. In the final he beat Gearoid O’Conghaile (Galway) by 16-8
In the Juvenile grades at the National One-Wall championships Sligo were well represented. Odhran Quinn Boys won the Boys U-12 plate final defeating Louth’s Ben Devlin Louth. Aoife Quinn Girls U-14 reached the plate final just losing out to Galway’s Elaine Mitchell in a close final. Other Sligo players Vincent Harte, Stanley Harte, Ross Taheny, Barry McLoughlin, Rachel Food, Brendan Foody, Marianna Foody, Jason Earlis, Adam McGoldrick & Tommy Trill, all represented Sligo in Castlebar.
Taheny & Fox win U-15 doubles title in a thriller
The Sligo Juvenile 1-Wall championships took place in the Cully Open court Saturday 30th July as part of the Curry GAA Club’s celebrations. In the beautiful setting with the Cully Court right on the crossroads there was some brilliant contests none more so than the U-15 doubles final with Ross Taheny & Patrick Fox winning the doubles title by the skin of their teeth literally winning in the tie breaker by a solitary ace. Many thanks to Francis McCann for the drawing up the fixtures and to Gerry Coleman from Curry who officiated at the event along with Oisin Quinn, Francis McCann, Tom Foody & Stanley Harte. The winners were
U-13 doubles Marie & Brendan Foody bt Caitronia Swift & Rachel Foody 21-6.
Plate final: Conor Booth & Jonathon Devanney bt Vincent Harte & Tony Fox 21-4
U-15 doubles final: Ross Taheny & Patrick Fox bt Jason Earlis & Barry McLoughlin 6-15, 15-10, 11-10.
U-17 doubles final: Tommy Trill & Stanley Harte bt Shane Wright & Aoife Quinn 15-2, 15-12
Earlis & Harte Connacht Juvenile A doubles champions
Sligo entered in the Juvenile A championships and in the quarter finals Tommy Trill surprisingly was beaten by Shane Doonan in the Boys U-16 singles by 21-7, 21-12 in the quarter finals. In the U-15 singles Patrick Fox lost out to Adrian Spellman from Galway in straight games. Stanley Harte & Jason Earlis teamed up to win the U-15 doubles final with an 11-15, 15-8, 15-2 win over Mayo. Castleconnor’s Aoife Quinn lost to Roscommon’s Fiona Tully in the Girls U-14 final. Surprisingly Collooney’s Ross Taheny handed the U-14 singles title to Kieran Lally of Mayo by way of a walkover.
In the All-Ireland semi-final there was heartbreak for Stanley Harte & Jason Earlis who had an agonizing 1 point defeat at the hands of Jamie Joyce & Ciaran O’Neill from Waterford. The score was 15-6, 5-15, 14-15. Stanley & Jason were 14-10 up in the tiebreaker but could not get the final point that would have put them through to the final. It was a case of so near and yet so far. Hopefully in 2012 they will win the title. Castleconnor’s Marianna Foody lost out in the semi final against Kerry’s Ann Prendeville.

Quinn is Connacht “B” Champion

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

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

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


Sligo Juvenile 60 x 30 championships

U-12 singles final: Odhran Quinn (Castleconnor) dft Vincent Harte (Collooney) 15-7, 15-9
U-14 singles final: Ross Taheny (Collooney) dft Brendan Foody (Castleocnnor) 15-7, 15-14
U-14 doubles final: Jonathon Devaney & Conor Booth (Ballymote) dft Brendan Foody & Sean Carabine (Castleconnor) 15-8, 15-14.
Brendan & Rachel Foody win John Gaffney Cup finals.
There was an historic doubles success for the Foody family from Castleconnor when Brendan & Rachel won their respective Boys & Girls doubles finals at the John Gaffney 60 x 30 Juvenile Tournament on the Bank Holiday Monday in October. Their success was all the more remarkable considering the Castleconnor club don’t have a 60 x 30 court of their own.
Jonathon Devaney (Ballymote) Odhran Quinn, Brendan, Rachel & Mary Foody (Castleconnor) all took part. Brendan Foody teamed up with Fenagh’s Cillian O’ Rourke and they went all the way. In the final they defeated Jonathon Davaney & Patrick Murphy Belcara by 15-13, 15-2. Odhrain Quinn & 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.
In the Junior 40 x 20 Nationals Odhran Quinn had a 1st round win over Conor McNelis of Tyrone but was beaten by Cavan Thomas O’ Donohoe in round 2 by 8-15, 11-15. Odhran’s sister Aoife also took part in the Nationals but was beaten in the early rounds.
“Hartebeat’s” Fox in final
The Boy’s U-16 singles 60 x 30 finals took place in Ballymote and resulted in an win for Collooney’s Stanley Harte Jnr following impressive wins over Sean Golden in the semi-final and club mate Patrick Fox in the final by 21-15, 21-10. That win for Harte capped of a great year for the Collooney teenager with 2 County Championships medals and 2 Connacht championships titles. Harte & Jason Earlis were just 1 point away from reaching this years All-Ireland U-15 doubles final.
Co. Board.
I would like to thank all the Officers of the Co. Board for their work, effort and commitment to Co. Board matters in 2011. Chairman Michael McMorrow led by example and I thank Michael for all his great support he has given to the County this year. It must not have been easy as Michael in his employment works long unsociable hours but yet made time for handball. Also I want to thank Francis McCann, John McLoughlin and Peter Chambers for the hard work on the Board. Want also to thank Mark Murphy & Shane Bruen our delegates on the G.A.A Board who attended the G.A.A meetings each month. Their presence is our link to the G.A.A and it is a very important link and hopefully they will continue in these roles for another year. I want also to thank our own Connell Cannon in his role as Provincial handball Administrator. He is one of the top G.A.A Administrators in the Country and the amount of work he gets through is phenomenal. Thank you Connell for the work you are doing in Connacht. Without people like Connell, handball in the province would be the poorer.
I would also like to thank Francis McCann Connacht Youth Officer and Connacht Juvenile chairman, and Connell Cannon Chairman National IT & Communications Committee for their Trojan work on these National committees on our behalf.
On the operation end of things I would like to see an improvement in fixtures being played and on time. Some games this year were either not played, held up for one reason or another and some teams arriving late. If we are ever going to be taken seriously as a G.A.A. unit all players must take responsibility to make sure all our games are played and on time. It was disappointing when the entire fixtures list was made out and sent to clubs well in advance that some games did not take place. Some County Board meetings were poorly attended and a number of clubs continue not to attend. The County Board is only as strong as its weaker link and these links have to strengthened and quickly.
Also County Secretaries having to arrange Connacht fixtures has to come to an end. It is not working and it hasn’t worked. From my experience this year the fixtures have fallen down with poor communications between Secretary’s. On one incident a Mayo player came down to Collooney to play Michael McMorrow as he heard from the Swinford Secretary he was down to play. On a number of occasions I found it very frustrating having to re arrange fixtures something that I should not be doing. The Connacht Handball Council are the organising body and should therefore also should be arranging fixtures, times, venues etc rather than Co.Secretary’s having to do this.
Each year I give high praise to our juvenile coaches and this year is no exception namely Francis McCann, Martin Golden, Paddy Walsh, Stanley Harte, Oisin Quinn & Tom Foody. In my view the above mentioned people are the real heroes and deserve the highest of praise. They work quietly away behind the scenes in their clubs week in and week out. They are the unsung heroes for handball in Sligo and I want to thank them sincerely for their unselfish giving of their time to the juvenile sections in our clubs. The standards in Juvenile handball have improved again this year but having said that other County’s have improved also so much so Juveniles in some county’s train 3-4 evenings a week. The standards have gone so high that it will take a colossal effort to win a Juvenile “A” All-Ireland title. However the acorns has been sown and in the years ahead I have no doubt that the work today will bear rich dividends in the not too distant future. The County won 6 Juvenile Connacht Juvenile titles and the same number at adult level. There is scope for further improvement. We have the players who have the ability to win Provincial and All-Ireland titles. With a little more preparation and competitive training against quality opposition I have no doubt that the success of Francis McCann, Michael McMorrow & John McLoughlin this year will be replicated by even more Sligo players wearing the County colours with distinction at the highest level.
The media is Sligo is very good to us this year and every year since I have come to Sligo from the Royal County. And I want to thank Leo Gray Sports Editor Sligo Champion, Liam Maloney Sports Editor Sligo Weekender and Anthony Hennigan Sports Editor in the Western People for their excellent coverage given to handball this year. It is great to see so much coverage of handball in our County newspapers and long may this continue. I have been involved in promoting handball in the media since 1995. It is improving each year with hard work. I know at times I have been sending the weekly Sligo handball news into the papers at 11.30 on a Sunday evening. I would love to see the day that handball gets as many column inches in the papers as Football and Hurling. Darragh Cox the sports chief in Ocean Fm too has given handball unprecedented coverage on the airwaves. My, sincere thanks to Darragh for all his encouragement. I was delighted to give reports on handball on the radio something I enjoy doing. Two other people want to I want to give special thanks to from a media point of view is Liam Horan editor of Into the West Magazine and Declan Lynch in the Hoganstand magazine for all their coverage of Sligo handball this year. My thanks also to Cyril Feehily Sligo G.A.A Chairman for allowing us to use the Sligo G.A.A website and having a handball section where we can add reports and photos. This is another great medium that we have at our disposal. This year also I set up the Sligo handball blogpage website http://sligohandball.blogspot.com/. And the photoalbum which has almost 200 photos of our players its address is https://picasaweb.google.com/101153803319205585789/SligoHandball#
This year has seen an increase in Juvenile numbers particularly in the Ballymote Club. While this is welcomed it places the clubs coaches under enormous pressure. I would like to see the Connacht handball council together with GAA Handball Ireland employing full time development officers with the expertise and knowledge to go into the schools and clubs here in Sligo and help out our over worked coaches. And possibly a percentage of registration fees and sponsorship to go directly back to County Boards especially to the Juveniles sections. The Juveniles continue to do us proud winning Connacht titles. Marianna Foody & Aoife Quinn reached the All-Ireland Girls U-15 semi-finals while Tommy Trill, Jason Earlis, Barry McLoughlin, Stanley Harte & Alan Gilmartin also reached the All-Ireland semi-final this time in the Boys U16/17 team championships. Odhran Quinn U-12 singles Connacht B champion .Aoife Quinn won the Girls team of 10 Interprovincial title as a member of the winning Connacht team. Brendan & Rachel Foody also winning an historic John Gaffney double. One of the highlights for me was to see 14 y.o Castleconnor’s Barry McLoughlin winning the Annual Gerard Jones Memorial Cup Tournament in Castleconnor last January. He teamed up with Ballymote’s Francis McCann to win a great final. I am sure that experience playing and winning with one of the legends in Sligo handball will be a major boost to Barry in the years ahead. No doubt we will all be reading about this young star in the future. The One Wall games is proving very popular Odhran Quinn Boys U-12 won the Mount Talbot One-Wall and was runner-up in the Boys plate Nationals final. This year the County organised the Juvenile 1-Wall championships in the picturesque Cully Open Court as part of Curry’s G.A.A. Club 125 celebrations and it proved very successful. Hopefully it will become an annual event out in Cully.
Great strides have made by clubs to improve their facilities. Castleconnor are developing their 40 x 20 court and should be ready for competition by the spring of 2012. Collooney are planning a major development of new handball courts and a major fundraising drive is underway and hopefully with all the hard work this will come to pass. Ballymote too are planning a new handball complex.
I want to express my sincere thanks to Cyril Feehily Sligo G.A.A Chairman for his great love of handball. Cyril made a little bit of G.A.A history when he attended the January meeting of the handball board. The Sligo G.A.A. Board generously sponsored the Jersey’s for our Juvenile players and this is very much appreciated. Cyril has a great interest in the small ball game in the county and at national level and I express my gratitude to the Chairman for all his encouragement and support he has given to Sligo handball and to me this year. I look forward to even closer links with the parent body in the coming year.
The fast approaching new year will be an important year in handball with the World Championships set to take place in City West Dublin in October 2012. The specially constructed courts will see approx 2,000 players taking part from 33 Countries and with live TV for the finals to showcase handball at its very best. Sligo will I am be sure be well represented in these games and who knows this time next year we could also be celebrating a World handball champion from the County. What a prospect that would be. As already mentioned want to express thanks to Connell Cannon and the Connacht Handball Council for their great work in promoting handball in the province this year. To Chris Curran National Handball Manager and the team of John Kelly & Brigid Doheny in head quarters a great big thank you. To end I want to thank everyone who helped out in any way during the year opening courts, refereeing, providing refreshments at games, bringing players to matches all over the country, coaches, administrators etc a huge thank you. It proved to be a great year in Sligo handball. The challenge now is to keep the standards going up that have been set. With everyone on board this small enthusiastic handball county in the West of Ireland can and will reach even greater achievements in the years ahead. I for one am looking forward to see what the next 12 months will be for the Yeats County in handball at county, provincial, National and in the World Championships. Finally I would like to express my sincere sympathy to members who suffered bereavements during the year.
Obituaries – Friends we lost:
Elizabeth Betty Coen R.I.P. – Mother of Sean Coen Collooney handball player.Peacefully at Roscommon County Hospital on Tuesday December 21st 2010. Funeral Mass took place in the Sacred Heart Church Roscommon and burial in St. Coman’s Cemetery Roscommon on Thursday December 23rd last.
Kenneth Harte R.I.P. – Uncle of Stanley Harte. The death occurred of Kenneth (Ken) Harte (Retired Dentist) of Highfield Park Galway (peacefully) at home on Wednesday February 2nd last. Funeral Mass in the Church of the Sacred Heart Rahoon and burial in the local cemetery.
Anthony Duffy R.I.P. Brother of Seamus Duffy St. Mary’s 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 afterwards in St. Columbus Cemetery.
Breege Naughton nee Foody R.I.P. 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.
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.
On behalf of the Board I would like to wish all Sligo G.A.A. Gaels a very happy and holy Christmas and for a bright and sporting new year for the County on the playing fields and handball courts.


Michael McGee
Sligo Handball Secretary (2008-2011)