League champions St. Mary's for 2012 back row Seamus Duffy, Michael McMorrow: Front row Paddy Walsh and Peter Chambers. Missing from photo is Connell Cannon
Michael Browne, Mark Murphy
front row Tom Foody & Tom Tuffy. Missing form photo is Joe Gorman
Photos of both teams following presentation
St. Mary’s reach summit
St. Mary’s overcame the strong challenge from Castleconnor A by 80-71 to become Sligo Handball 40 x 20 league champions for 2012, writes Michael McGee.
St. Mary’s, Kent Park hosted the final last Wednesday.
Three weeks ago the sides played in round 7 with Castleconnor defeating St. Mary’s in a captivating contest. Wednesday’s final was equally riveting. St. Mary’s sent out the inspirational Paddy Walsh & Seamus Duffy in the first doubles against Castleconnor’s Michael Browne & Tom Tuffy. Tuffy sporting a rally Ireland headgear and bandaged left leg was a revelation in the first game. He took up good positions and his lightning reflexes ignited Castleconnor to gain control.
Michael Browne playing on the left side had a very impressive final outing. Castleconnor with a whirl wind start raced into a huge 18-7 lead. Castleconnor’s tactics certainly worked early on with Browne covering everything from the back court and Tuffy’s reflexes pushed St. Mary’s onto the back foot. St. Mary’s appeared shell shocked initially but responded magnificently thereafter. The hosts then awoke from their comatose state. Legendary player Paddy Walsh showed his great experience and with Seamus Duffy combining well the comeback began. The St. Mary’s duo battled back into contention but Browne & Tuffy managed to weather the storm taking the first game by 21-18.
St. Mary’s made the better start into game two going 5-0 up. Castleconnor responded well and appeared to be gaining control when only 8-7 behind. Walsh’s wizardry and versatility combined with a number of quick fire scores pushed St. Mary’s clear at 15-9. Duffy rowed in with a number of important winners to Tuffy’s right side further extending St. Mary’s advantage to 18-10. Castleconnor rallied in great style and hit back with 8 unanswered points to draw level at 18-18 with all to play for. St. Mary’s had the strength and finished with a flurry of points with Walsh nailing the winner with a kill shot into the right corner leaving both teams tied on 39 points each.
St. Mary’s second doubles pairing of Peter Chambers & Michael McMorrow took on Castleconnor’s Mark Murphy & Tom Foody. Chambers & McMorrow’s greater team play paved the way for overall victory. Chambers played his best handball in recent months while McMorrow was rock solid on the right. Murphy’s strong play did give the eventual champions plenty to think about with a physically imposing performance. In a thrilling match all four players demonstrated great skills. The St. Mary’s duo as the game unfolded had the little bit more court craft and creativity. Despite a determined fight back from Castleconnor, St. Mary’s champions in 2010 had the more cohesive play and that was enough to take the match and the title by 21-14, 21-17 and overall by 80-71. It was St. Mary’s 2nd title in 3 years. Sligo Handball Chairman Peter Chambers presented the winners & runners-up with their trophies.
Result Sligo Handball team league 40 x 20 final
St. Mary’s Seamus Duffy, Paddy Walsh, Peter Chambers, Michael McMorrow, Connell Cannon dft Castleconnor A Michael Browne, Tom Tuffy, Mark Murphy, Tom Foody, Joe Gorman 80-71
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