Castleconnor U-13 & U-15 Community games Sligo winners

Castleconnor teams win Sligo Community games finals
The Castleconnor Club won both the Boys U-13 & U-15 Sligo Community games finals. The winning U-13 team consisted of Daire Barrins, Ronan Wilson, Barry Mulderrig & Michael Cahill while the U-15 team included Brendan Foody, Sean Carrabine, Odhran Quinn, James Bolan & Paul Flynn

On Saturday the Connacht community games handball finals took place in Castlebar. Unfortunately for both Castleconnor teams lost in the Provincial semi-finals. Castleconnor's U-13 side were defeated by Kilkeevan of Roscommon by 105-58 and the U-15's lost out to Ballinamore of Leitrim by 105-69

Mary Foody is Connacht Juvenile B 40 x 20 Champion

Mary Foody Connacht Champion 2012


Castleconnor’s Mary Foody is Connacht Juvenile B 40 x 20 Champion

Mary Foody was the only winner from Sligo in the Connacht Juvenile B 40 x 20 finals held in Castlebar on the Easter Bank Holiday Monday. Sligo were involved in 7 finals with only Mary Foody emerging as champion.
Boy U-13 Singles: Odhran Quinn (Sligo) lost Breannan Mac Donnachadha (Galway) 15-11, 15- 7
Boys U-16Doubles: Padraig O’ Dowd & Sean Golden (Sligo) lost to Ronan Keane & Ben Murray (Galway) 15-13, 15- 1
Girls U-12 Singles: Rachel Foody (Sligo) lost to Róisin Gannon (Galway) 15-4, 15- 3
Girls U-13 Singles: Mary Foody (Sligo) dft Rachel Doherty (Mayo) 5-15, 15-7, 15- 1
Girls U-15Singles: Catrionia Swift (Sligo) lost to Eibhlin Ni Chathain (Galway) 15-2, 15- 1
Boys U-14Singles: Brendan Foody (Sligo) lost to John.Hanley (Mayo) 15-1, 15- 9
Boys U-14Doubles: Jonathon Devanney & Sean Carrabine (Sligo) lost to Sean McDonald & Seamus McHugh (Mayo) 15-1, 15- 6

Castleconnor win Sligo Community games finals
The Castleconnor Club won both the Boys U-13 & U-15 Sligo Community games finals. The winning U-13 team consisted of Daire Barrins, Ronan Wilson, Barry Mulderrig & Michael Cahill while the U-15 team included Brendan Foody, Sean Carrabine, Odhran Quinn, James Bolan & Paul Flynn

On Saturday the Connacht community games handball finals took place in Castlebar. Unfortunately for both Castleconnor teams lost in the Provincial semi-finals. Castleconnor's U-13 side were defeated by Kilkeevan of Roscommon by 105-58 and the U-15's lost out to Ballinamore of Leitrim by 105-69

Aoife Quinn runner-up in All-Ireland Juvenile A 40 x 20 championships finals

Aoife Quinn runner-up in All-Ireland championships Girls U-15 singles 40 x 20 final

Final anguish for Aoife Quinn

Aoife Quinn’s attempt for an historic first Juvenile A handball title for Sligo ended in disappointment following her 15-10, 15-5 defeat to Cork’s Katie Fleming. The finals were played in O’Loughlin’s Kilkenny. The Castleconnor club star gave her all in a brave bid to become champion. Cork’s Katie Fleming more clinical finishing play proved decisive in what was a close and exciting encounter. Aoife can be very proud of her efforts in reaching the final an excellent achievement in itself. It can only be a matter of time before Aoife Quinn makes that historic breakthrough in Sligo handball that we are all waiting for patiently. Congratulations to her Dad, Oisin who has steered and coached Aoife to a very high standard.

Sligo handballers in six Connacht handball finals
Sligo young handball players reached 3 Connacht Juvenile B finals following semi-final successes over Roscommon on Good Friday. Sligo will be joined in the Connacht finals by the trio of Castleconnor girls Catronia Swift, Rachel & Mary Foody.
Connacht Juvenile B semi-finals v Roscommon
Friday 6th April in Lisacaul Co Roscomon results:

Boys U-12 Doubles : Diarmuid Harte & Aaron Bruen Sligo lost to Conor Fitzmaurice & Harry Kemp (Ros) 15-11, 15-13
Boys U-13 Singles: Odhran Quinn (Sli) dft Oisín Cusack (Ros) 15-5, 15-9
Boys U-13 Doubles::Michael Cahill & Tony Fox (Sligo) lost to Mark Treacy & Mark Clogher (Ros) 15-14, 15-1.
Boys U-14 singles: Brendan Foody (Sligo) dft Darragh Crawley (Ros) 15-3, 15-3
Boys U14-Doubles: Jonathan Devanney & Sean Carrabine (Sligo) dft Cathal & Sean Groarke (Ros) 15-0, 15-7
Girls U-12 Singles: Rachel Foody (Sligo)
Girls U-13 Singles: Mary Foody (Sligo)
Girls U-15Single: Catronia Swift (Sligo)

Sligo Juvenile players reach Connacht finals

Connacht Juvenile B semi-finals v Roscommon
Friday 6th April in Lisacaul Co Roscomon results:

Boys U-12 Doubles : Diarmud Harte & Aaron Bruen Sligo lost to Conor Fitzmaurice & Harry Kemp (Ros) 15-11, 15-13
Boys U-13 Singles: Odhran Quinn (Sli) dft Oisín Cusack (Ros) 15-5, 15-9
Boys U-13 Doubles::Michael Cahill & Tony Fox (Sligo) lost to Mark Treacy & Mark Clogher (Ros) 15-14, 15-1.
Boys U-14 singles: Brendan Foody (Sligo) dft Darragh Crawley (Ros) 15-3, 15-3
Boys U14-D: Jonathan Devanney & Sean Carrabine (Sligo) dft Cathal & Sean Groarke (Ros) 15-0, 15-7

FINALS at Castlebar Monday 9th April @11am

Boys U-13Singles: Odhran Quinn (Sligo) v Breannan Mac Donnachadha (G)
BoysU-16Doubles: Padraig O’Dowd & Sean Golden (Sligo) v Ronan Keane & Ben Murray (Galay)
Girls U-13 Singles:Mary Foody {Sligo} v Aine Nic Gholla Dea (Galway) or Rachel Doherty (Mayo)
Girls U-15Single: Caterina Swift {Sligo) v Eibhlin Ni Chathain (Galway) or Sorcha Ryan (Mayo)
St Gerards Castlebar 12 pm
Boys U-14Singles: Brendan Foody (Sligo) v John.Hanley (Mayo)
Boys U-14 Doubles: Jonathon Devanney & Sean Carrabine (Sligo) v Sean McDonald & Seamus McHugh (Mayo)

BREAKING NEWS : TG4 coming to Sligo

The next series of the popular GAA Handball show will at last have a Sligo content. On Friday May 18th next (provisionally) TG4 will be arriving in Sligo to do some filming. First port of call will be the Ocean FM studies in Collooney to do some filming and interviews. Then it will be off to Tubbercurry where more filming and interviews will take place with a coaching session. Then it will be back to Collooney where it is hoped the Club will have the official turning of the sod to start its building project. The anticipated re match Sligo David Murtagh v Leitrim's Francis Boylan will then take place. It is hoped that a Collooney school will be involved as well.

More details to follow

Connacht Juvenile B fixtures semi-final v Roscommon - Lisacaul Good Friday at 11 am

CONNACHT 40x20 JUVENILE B CHAMPIONSHIP

SEMI-FINALS
Sligo OR Leitrim v Roscommon @ Lisacul on Good Friday @ 11am
BU12D Diarmuid Harte, Arron Bruen (Sligo) v Conor Fitzmaurice and Harry Kemp (R)
BU13S Odhran Quinn (Sligo) v Oisín Cusack (St Coman's).
BU14S Brendan Foody (Sligo) v Darragh Crawley (Clooncan).
BU14D Jonathan Devanney & Sean Carrabine (Sligo) v Cathal & Sean Groarke (Lisacul).

BU16D Padraig O’Dowd, Sean Golden (Sligo) W/O


Connacht 40x20 Juvenile B Finals
at an Sportlán and St. Gerards College Castlebar Easter Monday 9th @ 11 AM
All competitors must report to Castlebar Alley beside McHale Park.

Court 2
BApprox 12 pm

U12S Winner A V Rachel Foody {S}
U13S Winner B V Mary Foody {S}
U15S Winner C V Caterina Swift {S}

Sligo Handball Photoalbum by Michael McGee

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Aoife Quinn in All-Ireland final

Aoife Quinn appearing in the All-Ireland final on Sunday


Quinn bids for All-Ireland win

Sligo handball starlet Aoife Quinn is just one game away from creating Sligo handball history as she goes in search of an historic All-Ireland handball title. Quinn takes on Cork’s Katie Fleming in the All-Ireland decider. The Castleconnor girl received a bye in Connacht. In a hard fought All-Ireland semi-final she had to pull out all the stops before defeating Armagh’s Kaitlin Flevelle in a thrilling tie break victory. Quinn held her nerve after losing the opening game but responded in great style winning the next two to qualify for Sunday’s final.
Quinn has made steady progress in the last number of years winning a number of Connacht College’s titles. Last year Quinn was a member of the Connacht Provincial Girls team of 10 that defeated Ulster in the final. It is a tremendous achievement for the Castleconnor Club who have achieved so much for Juvenile handball in the County. For the past number of years Tom Foody & Aoife’s Dad Oisin have been instrumental in much of the Club’s success at Juvenile level
All-Ireland Juvenile 40 X 20 Championships finals
SUNDAY 8th APRIL 2012 in O’ Loughlin’s Kilkenny
3.50pm: Girls U-15 Singles: Sligo (Aoife Quinn) v Cork (Katie Fleming

Sligo v Leitrim Juvenile B 40 x 20 championships photos

(With thanks to Niall Scollan)

Sligo Over-35 B doubles runners-up in All-Ireland final

No joy for Bruen & Murphy in All-Ireland handball final

Sligo handballers are still waiting for their first All-Ireland handball title of the year. The Over 35 B doubles pairing of Mark Murphy & Shane Bruen fell to Limerick’s Paul Hedderman & Ken Bourke. The Treaty men were much the stronger and the Sligo men could not cope with the more clinical finishing from the Limerick pair.
Result: All-Ireland handball championships Over-35 B doubles 40 x 20 final: Shane Bruen & Mark Murphy Sligo lost to Limerick’s Paul Hedderman & Ken Bourke 5-21, 11-21

Quinn bids for All-Ireland win

Sligo handball starlet Aoife Quinn is just one game away from creating Sligo handball history as she goes in search of an historic All-Ireland handball title. Quinn takes on Cork’s Katie Fleming in the All-Ireland decider. The Castleconnor girl received a bye in Connacht. In a hard fought All-Ireland semi-final she had to pull out all the stops before defeating Armagh’s Kaitlin Flevelle in a thrilling tie break victory. Quinn held her nerve after losing the opening game but responded in great style winning the next two to qualify for Sunday’s final.
Quinn has made steady progress in the last number of years winning a number of Connacht College’s titles. Last year Quinn was a member of the Connacht Provincial Girls team of 10 that defeated Ulster in the final. It is a tremendous achievement for the Castleconnor Club who have achieved so much for Juvenile handball in the County. For the past number of years Tom Foody & Aoife’s Dad Oisin have been instrumental in much of the Club’s success at Juvenile level
All-Ireland Juvenile 40 X 20 Championships finals
SUNDAY 8th APRIL 2012 in O’ Loughlin’s Kilkenny
3.50pm: Girls U-15 Singles: Sligo (Aoife Quinn) v Cork (Katie Fleming)

Connacht Juvenile B 40 x 20 championships
Sligo defeated neighbours Leitrim in six out of the nine contests in the quarter finals. Drumshanbo hosted the games last Sunday. Sligo winners will face Roscommon in Lisacaul on Good Friday at 11 am with the final pencilled in for Easter Monday in Castlebar at 11 am.
Results from last Sunday’s matches are as follows:
B-U11 Singles: Paul Leyton Sligo lost to Cormac Scollan (Leitrim) 3-15, 3-15.
B-U11 Doubles: Jack Branley & Dara Barrins (Sligo) lost to Fergal & Eoin McLoughlin (Leitrim) 3-15, 3-15
B-U12 Singles : Vincent Harte (Sligo) lost to Oisin McLoughlin (Leitrim)10-15, 11-15
B-U12 Doubles: Diarmuid Harte & Arron Bruen (Sligo) dft Tom McKeon & Caolin McDermott (Leitrim) 15-7, 15-7

B-U13 Singles: Odhran Quinn (Sligo) dft David Wrynn (Leitrim) 15-2, 15-3

B-U14 Singles Brendan Foody (Sligo) dft Aaron McLoughlin (Leitrim) 15-11, 15-5

B-U14 Doubles: Jonathan Devanney & Sean Carrabine (Sligo) dft Conor O’Rourke & Conor Reynolds (Leitrim) 15-10, 15-7

B-U15 Singles: Conor Booth (Sligo) lost to Michael Wrynn (Leitrim) 12-15, 6-15

B-U16 Doubles: Padraig O’Dowd, Sean Golden (Sligo) dft Mark Leddy & Mark Quinn 15-3, 11-15, 15-3

Handball arrives in Tubbercurry

Teacher John Cawley, Coach Padraig Maye and Paul Conlon with some of the Tubbercurry's National School handball players

All-Ireland handball champion coaching the Tubbercurry pupils the art of handball.

Tubbercurry Teacher John Cawley teaching the skills of handball

Tubbercurry handball coach and All-Ireland handball champion Padraig Maye displaying his two Gold Medals won the British Masters Athletics Championships in Lee Valley London over St. Patrick's weekend.

Group photo of Tubbercurry handball players

The G.A.A Handball One-Wall schools challenge has finally come to Sligo and it is all down to the work of Ballymote native John Cawley a Primary School Teacher in the Holy Family N.S.,with the support of the Principal Sr. Mary Richardson writes Michael McGee


Since the initiative two years ago over 160 schools throughout the country have taken up the challenge. John Cawley’s pioneering efforts has seen schools one-wall handball at last come to the county. As Cawley explains; the idea came about one evening in Ballymote. Martin Golden was coaching the young players. And seeing how quickly the children could become proficient. With that Cawley set about starting a handball club in the Tubbercurry School with outstanding results. “Using the challenger one ball this gave them an immediate confidence in their ability to learn the strokes and have an enjoyable game. This was particularly true of children who had not succeeded with team games. We had been looking to find a sporting answer to concentration and confidence. With building constraints in the school the proximity of the alleys in St. Brigid’s Hall in Tubbercurry, handball seemed to be worth a try.”

Already it has proved very successful according to Cawley. “Only a small number of our one hundred & seventy pupils have had an opportunity to experience the game yet but we hope to get a handball club started soon in Tubbercurry. Time is a major constraint during the school day so the hope is that a club will give the opportunity to play anytime. We have a very active Parents Association with a keen interest in all areas of activities for our children, and we are hoping to get their support and that of the many former handballers living around Tubbercurry for the new club.”

The Tubbercurry Teacher is already very pleased with the results of the introduction of handball to the school. “Having grown up in Ballymote handball was always accessible to us as children and I had seen how people could carry on playing long after they were finished with other sports. We were looking to introduce a physical activity into the school that did not need team skills. We had observed that a percentage of our children were not participating in team games in the schoolyard. They gave various reasons for this when asked all focused on the other players. We felt that a game that allowed a player to self discipline and take turns on a smaller scale would be of benefit. These skills could then be brought back to the team play scenario to everyone’s benefit. Handball fitted the bill perfectly and we intend now to broaden it out and make it available throughout the school. Because of time constraints the next step will be to start a handball club in Tubbercurry.” Cawley quickly acknowledges the input of one Padraig Maye. “The Legendary athlete and handballer has been giving up his Tuesday afternoons to come into the alleys in St.Brigid’s Hall coaching our young players .He came back recently with medals from the British Athletics Championships - what a role model for us all.”

Maye returned with 2 Gold medals from the British Masters Athletics championships which were held in Lee Valley London over the St. Patrick’s Weekend. The septuagenarian landed a distance of 3.92 metres in the long jump and 8.29 metres in the triple jump good enough to claim both British championship titles.

The Sligo Handball Board is also very supportive of us. “With the help of the Co. Board a schools competition will be organised. Already a schools challenge with Ballymote N.S. is set to take place.”

The School also promotes Hurling & Football and handball encompasses all three. “Tubbercurry is a mixed school and we were looking for an activity for the girls. Handball as a non contact sport was ideal for those who were not inclined to participate in the team games. We also have 20% of the school population from countries other than Ireland and it's great to be able to show them one of our national games.”