Sligo Juvenile B County 60 x 30 championships

BOYS UNDER 11 SINGLES: VENUE TIME TBC

(A) Jason Dwyer (Ballymote) V O Harte (Collooney)
(B) Bruen (Collooney) V Connor Finn (Ballymote)

(C) Mark Mulligan (Ballymote) V Jack Branley (Collooney)
(D) P Leyden (Collooney) A Bye
SEMI FINALS:
(E) Winner A Winner B
(F) Winner C Winner D
FINAL:
Winner E V Winner F

BOYS UNDER 12 SINGLES SEMI FINAL:


(A) V Harte (Collooney) v Dara Barrins (Castleconnor)
(B) D Harte (Collooney) v Ronan Wilson (Castleconnor)
FINAL:
Winner A v WINNER B

BOYS UNDER 13 SINGLES FINAL: VENUE TIME TBC

Tony Fox (Collooney) v Ordhain Quinn (C/Connor)

BOYS UNDER 14 DOUBLES FINAL:
Brendan Foody Sean Carabine (Castleconnor) V Jonathan Devaney /Partner (Ballymote)

BOYS UNDER 15 SINGLES SEMI FINALS: AT BALLYMOTE WEDENESDAY EVENING 6.30 PM


(A) Leigh Kielty (Ballymote) v Connor Booth (Ballymote)
(B) Michael Finn (Ballymote) v Mathew Cunnane (Ballymote)
FINAL:
Winner A V Winner B

BOYS UNDER 16 SINGLES SEMI FINALS: AT BALLYMOTE WEDENESDAY EVENING 6.30 PM


(A) P O' Dowd (Ballymote) V James Mulligan (Ballymote)
(B) Sean Golden (Ballymote) V Barry M c Loughlin (Castleconnor)
FINAL:
Winner A V Winner B

Heartbreak for Sligo handball players in All-Ireland finals

Martin Cooney runner-up in Silver Masters B singles All-Ireland 60 x 30 final


There was no joy for Sligo players in 4 All-Ireland finals last weekend, writes Michael McGee.

On Saturday in Ballymoe Roscommon Paddy Walsh lost out to Dublin’s Mick O’ Brien in the final of the Over 70’s while reigning champion in the Golden Masters grade Francis Mc Cann met Kildare’s Michael Dowling for the 2nd time this year in an All-Ireland final. In an pulsating match that ebbed and flowed throughout both players had periods of dominance. Dowling took the all important first game by the minimum 21-20. McCann had to chase the 2nd game but as with the 40 x 20 final last March Dowling held firm despite McCann’s valiant comeback that just fell short. Dowling edged out in front in game 2 and held it to the finish taking it by 21-15.

The following day in Williamstown Galway Castleconnor club man Martin Cooney was expected to do well against Limerick’s John Frazer. However it was the Limerick man that made the better use of chances that came his way that ultimately led to victory for the Treaty man. Frazer took an early 8-1 lead but Cooney hit back in tremendous form reeling off a number of great winning scores. Cooney was within 5 points of Frazer at 10-15 however the Munster champion gained the next six scores to take game one. Cooney had the better start in game two going into an 8-2 lead and looked on course that he could take that second game. Frazer rallied strongly and drew level at 12-12. A determined Cooney pushed out in front again by 17-14 but the Limerick man showed great resilience when drawing level at 17 & 18. It turned out to be a terrific contest. It was to prove the Limerick man’s day as he scored the next 3 winners to claim victory from the clutches of the Castleconnor club man in the end by 21-18.

Cooney’s club mate Aoife Quinn suffered more final anguish in an All-Ireland this time in the 60 x 30 finale. Quinn faced Kerry’s Michaela O’Donaghue in the Girls U-15 singles final in Tuamgraney Co. Clare. The Munster champion took the opening game by 15-5. Quinn coached by her father Oisin came out strongly in the second and played some exceptional handball controlling the game eventually taking it by 15-6. O’Donoghue’s fitness told in the tie breaker as she weathered the Sligo girls gusto performance. O’ Donoghue who had a tough Munster & All-Ireland semi-final campaign made it count in the closing stages. Quinn tired towards the end and O’Donoghue was not going to be denied victory. The Castleconnor & Sligo star is getting closer to the coveted All-Ireland handball title and in 2013 she should achieve an historic title for her efforts that is richly deserved.

Results: Martin Donnelly All-Ireland 60 x 30 championships finals
Over 70’s singles: Paddy Walsh (Sligo) lost to Mick O’ Brien (Dublin) 13-21, 5-21.
Golden Masters A singles: Francis McCann (Sligo) lost to Michael Dowling (Kildare) 20-21, 15-21
Silver Masters B singles: Martin Cooney (Sligo) dft John Frazer (Limerick) 11-21, 18-21
All-Ireland Juvenile 60 x 30 championships finals
Girls U-15 Singles: Aoife Quinn (Sligo) lost to Michaela O’Donoghue (Kerry) 15-5, 6-15, 15-6

Quinn’s drive to All-Ireland handball glory

Aoife Quinn to achieve historic All-Ireland Juvenile title


It’s a long way from Clare to Castleconnor but that is the journey that Aoife Quinn will be taking on Sunday as she goes in search of that elusive and historic All-Ireland Juvenile handball title, writes Michael McGee

Sligo handball starlet Aoife Quinn is just one game away from creating Sligo handball history. The Castleconnor club star takes on Kerry’s Michaela O’ Donoghue in the All-Ireland Girls U-15 singles decider in Tuamgraney the home of the legendary Kirby brothers. Quinn defeated Mayo’s Emily Sweeney 15-8, 15-0 in the Connacht final and received a bye in the semi-final. O’Donoghue defeated Kilkenny’s Sarah Molloy in her semi-final. It is the Castleconnor girl 2nd All-Ireland final appearance this year having lost out to Kerry’s Katie Fleming 15-10, 15-5 in the All-Ireland Girls U-15 singles 40 x 20 final in O’Loughlin’s Kilkenny last April.


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.

Should Quinn win it will even more remarkable as the Castleconnor club don’t have a 60 x 30 court of its own and it means that their rising young star has to travel to the Collooney Club and to Williamstown in Galway for games.

Quinn’s disappointment in the 40x 20 final will drive her on even more and with greater focus and determination should propel her to All-Ireland gold

There could be case of double celebration in Castleconnor on Sunday as Martin Cooney plays in the All-Ireland Silver Masters B singles final in Williamstown.

All-Ireland Juvenile championships 60 x 30 finals

Sunday 19th August 2012
at Tuamgraney, Clare, 12pm
Girls U-15 Singles: Aoife Quinn (Sligo) v Michaela O’Donoghue (Kerry)

Cooney , McCann & Walsh to seal All-Ireland handball titles for Sligo

Francis Mc Cann


Martin Cooney


Paddy Walsh to renew rivalry with Dublin's Mick O' Brien

Cooney , McCann & Walsh to seal All-Ireland handball titles for Sligo
McCann to lead the way as Sligo aim for treble of All-Ireland handball titles, writes Michael McGee

Winning All-Ireland handball titles for Francis McCann is nothing new since that historic day in 1977 when the champion handballer won his first All-Ireland handball when winning the All-Ireland minor hardball doubles championships with the late Michael Porter. McCann followed this up 2 years later winning the U-21 doubles and in 1981 the Junior titles followed. The Ballymote man is aiming to bring his All-Ireland medal haul to 18th at the weekend an astonishing record. McCann meets Kildare’s Mick Dowling for the second time this year. The Kildare man defeated McCann in the 40 x 20 final last March in Curraghboy. The Sligo stalwart is the reigning champion in this grade having collected the title in Roscommon in 2011 with a 21-11, 21-13 win over Cavan’s Mickelleen Brady. McCann is in superb form all season and his only real test in this year’s campaign came in the Connacht final. The champion opened well and took the first game by 21-9. His opponent in Mayo’s Martin Vahey came back strongly in game two with some outstanding play thus bringing to a tie breaker. Mc Cann, undaunted by this is a teak tough seasoned campaigner having coming through many memorable triumphs in a long and distinguished playing career. Despite being on “the ropes” the Yeats man recovered well and incredibly only allowed Vahey one further score for the remainder of the match. McCann had the advantage of Ballymote for his semi-final outing and he made it count with an impressive 21-1, 21-14 over Monaghan Conor McDonnell.
“ McCann’s determination and willingness to work hard has certainly stood the test of time. His undoubted natural skills and inspirational battling qualities have won him many outstanding achievements in the heat of battle. The Sligo man’s superior fitness and greater experience in finals should see him once again stand again on the summit as he embarks on bringing back another historic All-Ireland handball title back to the Ballymote club.
Path to the final:
Connacht final: Golden Masters A singles: Francis Mc Cann dft Martin Vahey 21-9, 13-21, 21-1
All-Ireland semi-final: Golden Masters A singles: Francis McCann dft Conor McDonnell (Monaghan) 21-1, 21-14
Walsh’s wizardry to win out
Legendary Sligo Handball players Paddy Walsh goes in search of another All-Ireland title when he takes on takes on Dublin’s Mick O’Brien in the Over 70’s singles All-Ireland final. Walsh from the St. Mary’s club in Sligo is going for an unprecedented 29th All-Ireland handball title in an illustrious career. Walsh won his first All-Ireland title back in 1974. Walsh has also won 7 Senior County GAA titles with Collooney/Ballisodare in the 1970’s and 1 title with St. Mary’s. Walsh’s great battles with Meath’s Christy Lynagh has become part of handball folklore in Sligo and National handball circles. The last time these two players met was in the All-Ireland Ruby Masters singles semi-final in Collooney two years ago. On that occasion the Dubliner beat the Yeats County man over 3 games.”Walsh looks better prepared this time training twice a week for the past number of months. His experience and utter determination to win every game is part of Walsh’s DNA. He still has the hunger, heart and passion to achieve in what will be another historic achievement for Sligo’s greatest ever handball player. “
Cooney’s power to knock out Frazier
Castleconnor’s Martin Cooney play’s in his first All-Ireland final and like McCann is in arguably the best form of his life. Forced out through injury in 2011 Cooney’s performances in this year’s championships make for very impressive reading In his Connacht final appearance he defeated his great nemesis in Mayo’s George Miller by 21-6, 21-12 while an even greater display awaited him in the semi-final when he blitzed Down’s Sean McNally in straight games. Cooney’s thunderous power play has been the catalyst that has seen the Castleconnor man reach the final. Cooney’s opponent will be Limerick’s John Frazier. Frazier demolished Kilkennny’s Paul Dowling 21-1, 21-8 in his semi final. In recent training sessions Cooney has been in flying form pushing the likes of McCann & Mayo’s Jason Judge to their limits. The former Monaghan native will go in as favourite. The Masters player will give it all and come Sunday evening Cooney & the Castleconnor club should be celebrating in what will be notable achievement.
“The Castleconnor club man is very well equipped to take his first All-Ireland title with his blistering power and precision strokes. Cooney’s positional alertness around the court will prove crucial and with that little extra bit of determination, strength of mind & court craft needed to win All-Ireland’s it should be enough to secure the title.
Path to the final:
Conancht final Silver Masters B singles: Martin Cooney dft George Miller (Mayo) 21-6, 21-13
All-Ireland semi-final Silver Masters B singles: Martin Cooney dft Sean McNally (Down) 21-4, 21-5.

M Donnelly GAA Handball All Ireland 60x30 Softball Championship Finals 2012
Saturday 18th August 2012, in St. Coman's, Roscommon:
5pm: Golden Masters A Singles: Francis McCann Sligo v Mick Dowling Kildare
6pm: Over 70 Singles: Paddy Walsh Sligo v Mick O’Brien Dublin


Sunday 19th August 2012, in Williamstown, Galway:
1pm: Silver Masters B Singles: Martin Cooney Sligo v John Frazier Limerick