Connacht singles finals switched from St. Coman's to Ballymoe

Handballers in 4 Connacht 60 x 30 singles finals

Sligo handball players will be appearing in 4 provincial singles finals next weekend. Francis McCann should retain his Connacht title while Martin Cooney, Michael McMorrow & Colin Slevin face difficult assignments.

There will be a feast of handball on Friday evening involving 3 Sligo players and Michael McGee looks forward to the weekend’s handball action involving players from the Yeats County

Golden Masters A singles: Francis McCann v Martin Vahey/Michael Heraty (Mayo)

Francis McCann is chasing another Connacht title in a long and illustrious handball career. The Ballymote man is the reigning champion in this grade having defeated Cavan’s Mickeleen Brady 21-11, 21-13 in last year’s final. This will be Mc Cann’s first test as he embarks on retaining his All-Ireland title. McCann will face either Martin Vahey or Michael Heraty who will be playing off their refixed tie during the week. McCann has been in consistent form off late and should have that little bit extra experience to qualify for the semi-final and a crack at winning an astonishing 18th All-Ireland handball winners medal.

Silver Masters B singles: Martin Cooney v George Miller (Mayo)
Castleconnor’s Martin Cooney & George Miller meet in the final of the Silver Masters B. Both players have not met since last year’s Connacht 40 x 20 semi-final clash which Miller won. Cooney picked up a shoulder injury in that match that has kept him out of handball for the past 15 months and is just returning to action. There is never much between these players meet and it could go down to a deciding 3rd game. Another fantastic match is in prospect and if Cooney can get control of the game he could win out in Connacht.

Emerald Masters A singles: Mick McMorrow v Kevin Geraghty (Mayo)
St. Mary’s Club man Michael McMorrow will be on a wing and a prayer as he has the unenviable task of trying to take the scalp of favourite Kevin Geraghty in the Connacht Emerald Masters A singles final. McMorrow an All-Ireland Emerald Masters B doubles champion with John McLoughlin in 2011 is certainly up against it against the Swinford club man. McMorrow will have to give his best performance in years and even that may not be good enough. McMorrow has impressed in training but will need to move up an extra gear or two if he is to challenge Geraghty for provincial honours.

Junior C singles: Colin Slevin v Eamon Higgins (Mayo)
For Oxfield’s Colin Slevin this is new territory playing in a Connacht 60 x 30 final. On Friday evening last Slevin justified his place in the provincial final with a fully merited 21-12, 21-17 victory over Roscommon’s Liam O’Ceallaigh. More at home in the 40 x 20 court the Oxfield man shocked O’Ceallaigh in straight games in Collooney. The question is can Slevin maintain this form and surprise Higgins to claim his first Connacht 60 x 30 title at adult level.
Connacht handball championships 60 x 30 finals
Friday 6th July in Ballymoe Roscommon at 7 p.m.

Junior C singles: Colin Slevin v Eamon Higgins (Mayo)- match 1
Golden Masters A singles: Francis Mc Cann v Martin Vahey/Michael Heraty - match 2
Emerald Masters A singles: Mick McMorrow v Kevin Geraghty (Mayo) match 3
Saturday 7th July in Ballymoe Roscommon at 5 p.m
Silver Masters B singles: Martin Cooney v George Miller (Mayo) – match 2

Slevin, Foody & Gorman reach finals
Sligo handballers had finally something to smile about following last weekend’s disappointment in the singles. In the last singles game to be played Oxfield’s Colin Slevin defeated Roscommon’s Liam O’ Ceallaigh to set up Connacht final with Mayo’s Eamon Higgins while Castleconnor’s Tom Foody & Joe Gorman came away from St. Coman’s on Saturday evening securing their Connacht final place with a hard fought 21-11, 21-14 win over a Roscommon pairing.
Results:
Connacht handball 60 x 30 championships semi-finals
Junior C singles: Colin Slevin (Sligo) dft Liam O’Ceallaigh (Roscommon) 21-12, 21-17
Junior C Doubles: Tom Foody & Joe Gorman dft Roscommon 21-11, 21-14

GAA Handball introduction to Sligo Cul Camps a success
Last Thursday in the Collooney handball court over 25 young Sligo G.A.A Coaches led by Liam Og Gormley, Sligo GAA games manager attended a handball introduction course. It proved an outstanding success. Peter Chambers Sligo GAA Handball County Chairman welcomed all the Coaches to Collooney and spoke on handball. Michael McGee Sligo GAA Handball Secretary also welcomed Liam Og Gormley, John Cawley Tubbercurry N.S. teacher who recently returned from a school trip to Poland where he introduced the game, and the Coaches to Collooney. The Co. Secretary demonstrated a number of handball drills that can be used in the Cul Camps. Afterwards Shane Bruen, Stanley Harte Jnr, Peter Chambers & Connell Cannon gave exhibitions in the one-wall & 60 x 30 code with many of the coaches participating in the games and a number of them already showing a flair for handball.