Carrabine, Fox & Earlis through in Connacht Colleges chips

A number of Sligo players took part in the Colleges handball championships. Castleconnor’s Sean Carrabine advanced in the Junior boys singles. Collooney’s Tony Fox defeated James Boland Enniscrone in the Boys 1^st year singles. Jason Earlis Jesus & Mary Secondary School Enniscrone College defeated Collooney’s Stanley Harte in the Intermediate singles. Shane Wright Jesus & Mary Secondary School  Enniscrone received a bye in Sligo.

 

Barry McLoughlin St. Tiernan’s College Crossmolina lost out in the 1^st round of the Mayo intermediate Colleges. Michael Tiernan  St. Muredach’s College suffered the same fate in the 1^st year doubles event. Aoife Quinn Convent of Mercy Ballina had an agonizing 1 point defeat to Maggie Burns Kiltagh 20-21.

 

The Sligo winners will face the Galway Colleges winners  in the Connacht handball colleges championships semi-finals in St. Mary’s College on Friday 1^st February.

Sligo handball players to advance

Sligo handball players aiming for Connacht finals.

Sligo G.A.A Handball P.R.O.  Michael McGee previews the Connacht handball 40 x 20 championships semi-finals involving Sligo.

Sligo handball players begin their season in earnest this weekend against Galway in the Connacht handball 40 x 20 championships semi-finals. Castleconnor’s Michael Browne faces Roscommon’s Darren Beattie in the Junior B singles. Browne a very underestimated player has the potential of reaching the final. The Castleconnor club man performed well in the recent Gerard Jones Memorial Cup tournament in Castleconnor. If Browne can maintain this form he has every chance of reaching the final.
Castleconnor  will host 3 games on Sunday with local player Larry Jones first into action against Galway’s Seamus O’Fatharta. Home venue may just be enough for Jones to gain a narrow victory over the Galway man. The Masters B singles see’s Collooney’s Shane Bruen up against Morgan Duggan.  Duggan is an accomplished handball player having reached the World Masters B singles final in Dublin’s Citywest last October where he lost to Dubliner Adrian Benson in a close final. Bruen reached the All-Ireland  Over 35 B doubles final with Castleconnor’s Mark Murphy will be hoping to build on last year’s exploits. However he couldn’t have asked for a tougher opening match in this year’s championships. Bruen will have to hit the ground running and keep up the intensity if he is to reach the provincial final. The final match on the Castleconnor programme looks set to be a cracker. Ballymote’s Francis McCann meets his old adversary in Eamon Conneely in a mouth watering clash. McCann played Conneely in last year’s Connacht final and in cliff hanger Mc Cann hung on for victory after 3 absorbing games just winning the tie breaker 21-20. McCann reached the final only to lose to Kildare’s Michael Dowling. McCann will be hoping to repeat his performance over Conneely and advance to the provincial decider.

St. Mary’s will also host 3 games on Sunday. The legendary Paddy Walsh is back again in action as he takes on Colm O’ Culain. The St. Mary’s club man is favourite to advance and add another historical provincial medal to his vast collection. Mick McMorrow has put a lot of work in the handball courts this year and his battle with Galway’s Pierce Lalor has the potential of going the distance. McMorrow’s strength and swiftness could be enough to send the Galway man  packing. The All-Ireland Emerald Masters B doubles champion in 2011 will be eager do well and his battling skills should tip the balance in his favour. In the last match in the St. Mary’s programme see’s Seamus Duffy up against Galway’s Tony McInerney. The two players have met in recent championships with little separating them. Duffy playing on his home court will hold the advantage and with a sizeable support from Sligo expected it may be enough to propel Duffy to another Connacht final.

Castleconnor’s Micheal Jones travels to St. Coman’s where he will be up against Roscommon’s Darren Beattie. Jones who has showed up well in the Sligo handball team of 6 competition and recent Castleconnor tournament will give a very good account of himself at the Roscommon venue. A determined approach from Jones will see him into the Connacht final.
And in the last remaining singles to played Castleconnor’s Martin Cooney takes on Galway’s Priosias Maughan. Cooney who reached the All-Ireland Silver Masters B singles 60 x 30 final will be hoping to continue on a upward curve in his comeback from injury. Maughan will provide stern opposition for the Castleconnor club man but if Cooney can hit form he has every chance of defeating the Galwegian and reach the decider.

Connacht handball 40 x 20 championships semi-finals

Sunday 3^rd February in St. Coman’s  Roscommon at 2 p.m.
Michael Browne (Sligo) v Darren Beattie (Roscommon)

 Sunday 3^rd February in Castleconnor at 2 p.m.

Diamond Masters B singles:  Larry Jones (Sligo) v Seamus O’ Fatharta (Galway)
Masters B singles: Shane Bruen (Sligo) v Morgan Duggan (Galway)
Golden Masters A singles: Francis McCann (Sligo) v Eamonn Conneely (Galway)

 

 Sunday 3^RD February in St. Mary’s at 2 p.m.
Over 70’s: Paddy Walsh (Sligo) v  Colm O’Culain (Galway)
Emerald Masters B singles: Mick McMorrow (Sligo) v Pierce Lalor (Galway)
Diamond Masters A singles: Seamus Duffy (Sligo) v Tony McInerney (Galway)

Thursday 7^th February in St. Comans’s Roscommon at 8 p.m.

Junior C singles: Micheal Jones (Sligo) v John Kelly (Roscommon)

 

At venue to be decided

Silver Masters B singles: Martin Cooney v Priosias Maughan (Galway)

Sligo handball 40 x 20 representatives 2013

Sligo handball representatives 40 x 20 singles 2013
Junior C singles: Micheal Jones (Castleconnor)
Junior B singles: Michael Browne (Castleconnor)
Masters B singles: Shane Bruen (Collooney)
Silver Masters B singles: Martin Cooney (Castleconnor)
Golden Masters A singles: Francis McCann (Ballymote)
Golden Masters B singles: Martin Golden (Ballymote)
Emerald Masters B singles: Mick McMorrow (St. Mary’s)
Diamond Masters A singles: Seamus Duffy (St. Mary’s)
Diamond Masters B singles: Larry Jones (Castleconnor)
Over 70’s: Paddy Walsh (St. Mary’s)

40 x 20 doubles:
Junior C doubles: Gerry Coleman & Michael Bruen (Collooney)
Junior B doubles: Michael Browne & Joe Gorman (Castleconnor)
Masters B doubles: Shane Bruen & Mark Murphy (Collooney, Castleconnor)
Silver Masters B doubles: Martin Cooney & Tom Foody (Castleconnor)
Golden Masters A doubles: Francis McCann & Martin Golden (Ballymote)
Golden Masters B doubles: Peter Chambers & Ken Cunningham (St. Mary’s)
Emerald Masters B doubles – ( not known yet)
Diamond Masters A doubles: Seamus Duffy & Pat O’Sullivan (St. Mary’s, Oxfield)
Over 70’s: Paddy Walsh & Padraig Maye (St. Mary’s, Castleconnor)

Sligo Cuman na mbunscoil finals

Castleconnor hosted the Cumann na mbunscoil County finals and resulted in wins for the following players, Aisling Foody Girls U-11, Rachel Foody Girls U-13,  Conor Finn Boys U-11, Jason Dwyer Boys U-13 and Vincent & Diarmuid Harte Boys U-13 doubles. The winners will represent Sligo in the Connacht Cuman na mbunscoil finals which will take place in Castleconnor on Sunday 10th February at 11 a.m.

 

 

 

Aisling Foody  Girls U-11 singles

 

 

                                                       Rachel Foody Girls U-13 singles

Conor Finn Boys U-11 winner

Jason Dwyer Boys U-13 singles

                                      Vincent & Diarmuid Harte Boys U-13 doubles winners

McCann & Harte Gerard Jones Memorial Cup champions 2013

Seamus Jones presenting the Gerard Jones Memorial Cup Tournament winners with Francis McCann & Stanley Harte champions for 2013

Tom Foody & Michael Browne Cup runners up

Micheal Jones & Jason Earlis plate winners with Damien Jones presenting the trophies

 

Larry Jones, Damien Jones & Mark Murphy plate runners-up

 

 

Close up photo of  the Cup and Trophies for the Gerard Jones Memorial Cup doubles tournament for 2013

Gerard Jones Memorial – Castleconnor 2013

Ballymote’s Francis McCann and Collooney’s Stanley Harte went all the way and secured The Gerard Jones Memorial Cup in Castleconnor on Sunday 20^th January last. The event is held in the honour of Gerard Jones who was tragically killed in a farming accident in 1990. This year’s tournament had 12 doubles teams with players from Leitrim, Mayo & Sligo taking part.

Michael Ginley from the nearby Bofield Club and Micheal Jones from Castleconnor won the Plate Final against Mark Murphy and Larry Jones, both from the Castleconnor Club. Micheal Jones and Michael Ginley, who had to stand in for Jason Earlis who got an injury half way through the tournament, powered their way to win on a score line of 31 points to 21. There was a standing ovation for Jason Earlis as he stepped up to receive the Plate Winner‘s Trophy. Earlis was playing his best Handball until an injury reoccurrence came back to haunt him in the Plate Semi-Final.

In the Cup Final it was Francis McCann and Stanley Harte who were victorious over Michael Browne and Tom Foody, both from the Castleconnor Club. McCann was a master in the court with Stanley Harte returning everything that was thrown at him. Browne and Foody had some tough games coming into the final but fought bravely to finish on a score line of 31 points to 15.

Damian Jones presented the Finalists with their crystal while Seamus Jones presented Francis McCann and Stanley Harte the Gerard Jones Memorial Cup.

It was a proud day for the Castleconnor Handball Club as this was the first year they held the tournament since installing a new glass back wall and viewing area extension. The Club deserves great credit for all the hard work and effort in organising the tournament.

(report & photos with thanks to Micheal Jones)

Connacht Cumann na mbunscoil in Castleconnor

Castleconnor handball club will host  this year's  Connacht Cumann na mbunscoil on Saturday 9th February. Entries to be in by Friday 1st February

Gerard Jones Memorial Cup Doubles Tournament

The 19th Annual Gerard Jones Tournament will take place in Castleconnor this Sunday, January 20th. The event is held in the honour of Gerard Jones who was tragically killed in a farming accident in 1990.

Any players interested in taking part in this doubles tournament contact Castleconnor Club Secretary Micheal Jones on  0873066761 or Email: castleconnorhandball@hotmail.com

 

The 2012 winners were Patrick Fox & Martin Raftery

Sligo handball 40 x 20 fixtures & Results (updates)

SLIGO COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP FOR 2013
40 X 20
Singles Matches

 Results: Junior C Singles:   Micheal Jones dft Gerry Coleman 21-10, 21-9
Oisin Quinn Tom Tuffy dft Oisin Quinn 21-10, 20-21, 21-14

 

Junior C Singles Final : Micheal Jones  dft  Tom Tuffy 21-9, 21-10

Silver Masters B Singles: Martin Cooney winner

Masters B Singles: Castleconnor Wed 23 Jan at 7pm (Final)
Shane Bruen   dft Mark Murphy 21-16, 21-3

O-70 Singles: Castleconnor Wed 23 Jan at 8pm (Final)
Padraig Maye v Paddy Walsh

Golden Masters B singles: St Marys Wed 16 Jan at 7pm.
Game 1: Martin Golden  w/o  Ken Cunningham.

Emerald Masters B singles: St. Marys Wed 16 Jan at 8pm
 Michael McMorrow dft Peter Davey


Golden Masters B singles: St. Marys Wed 23 Jan at 7pm (Final)
Martin Golden dft   Peter Chambers 21-13, 21-20


SLIGO COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP FOR 2013
40 X 20
Doubles Matches
Junior C Doubles: Castleconnor Tues 22 Jan at 8 pm (Final)
Michael Bruen / Gerry Coleman   dft  21-19, 21-16  Micheal Jones/Tom Tuffy

Emerald Masters B Doubles: St. Marys Sunday 27 Jan 3pm (Final)
Game can be played on or before date)
Peter Davey/Hugh McGarry v Michael McMorrow/Eamon Bellew

Special Achievement Award for Castleconnor's Martin Cooney

 

Castleconnor's Martin Cooney  Connacht  Handball Council "Special Achievement Award" winner for 2013

Castleconnor's Martin Cooney has been nominated by the Connacht handball council for the "Special Achievement Award. The Provincial Council at its monthly meeting last evening in the Connacht G.A.A Offices in Ballyhaunis announced its 14 Provincial Winners. Cooney who just last week captained his team of 6 to win the Sligo handball 40 x 20 team title with a win over Shane Bruen's side.
Cooney reached last year's All-Ireland Silver Masters B singles 60 X 30 final is coming back to his best form following an injury that kept him out of the game for 12 months. Cooney will receive his award at the G.A.A Handball All-Star Awards which will be held in Croke Park on Saturday 9th February next.


CONNACHT AWARD WINNERS

1) Male Player of the Year
Joe McCann (Mayo)

2) Female Player of the Year
Pauline Gallagher (Mayo)

3) Masters Player of the Year
James Coughlan (Roscommon)

4) Young Male Player of the Year
Martin Mulkerrins (Galway)

5) Young Female Player of the Year
Amy Corrigan (Mayo)

6) Youth Male Player of the Year
Niall Joyce (Galway)

7) Youth Female Player of the Year
Cianna Ní Churrain

8) Official of the Year
John Kennedy (Roscommon)

9) Club Person of the Year
Liam O’Ceallaigh (Roscommon)

10) Coach of the Year
Pierce Lalor (Galway)

11) Special Achievement Award
Martin Cooney (Sligo)

12) Hall of Fame
Ray Doherty (Roscommon)

13) Team of the Year
Williamstown Intermediate Team
Ollie & Pat Conway, Noel Mchugh, Declan Connaughton

 

14) Club of the Year
Inis Mor

Cooney's team champions in Sligo handball team final

Cooney’s team champions in Sligo handball team final

Martin Cooney’s team emerged Sligo handball 40 x 20 team champions following a narrow victory over Shane Bruen’s team in last Wednesday’s team final held in the Castleconnor Club, writes Michael McGee

 Both sides qualified for the final on 29 points each and the final proved equally close. In a rollercoaster first doubles match seen Martin Cooney & Jamie Murray taking on Shane Bruen & Tommy Trill both from the Collooney club.  In a highly entertaining game that was level on no less than 5 occasions it was Bruen & Trill that finished the stronger to take the first game by 21-18. Cooney & Murray the favourites came back strongly in the second game completely dominating the game all too easily by 21-2 thus forcing the tie break game. Murray was having a great game on the left and with Cooney coming more into the game it looked like they would go on to take the match. However Bruen & Trill didn’t read the script and stormed out of the blocks to stun Murray & Cooney. Bruen and talented teenager Trill who was making a welcome return to handball went swiftly into a big lead with a flurry of points leading by 8-2.  Bruen & Trill were now in the driving seat and blew the heavy hitters of Cooney & Murray away with a storming finish by 11-2.

In the second doubles match Mark Murphy & Micheal Bruen proved too strong for Seamus Duffy & Larry Jones by 21-2, 21-6.

The last doubles match between Colin Conlon /Gerry Coleman & Tom Foody & Micheal Jones both from the Castleconnor club proved very exciting.  Foody & Jones had a big lead of 18-6 in the opening game but Conlon & Coleman found their range and hit back in impressive style.  Despite a spirited comeback it was Foody & Jones that held firm to win the first game by 21-12.  Going into the final game Shane Bruen’s & Martin Cooney were level on points with both sets of supporters getting fully behind their players. Colin Conlon from the near Bunniconlon club in Mayo & Gerry Coleman  the Collooney club man greater team work put Martin Cooney’s team well out in front by 17-7. Conlon’s strong play and Coleman’s expert serving and creativity opened up Foody & Jones shortcomings.  

Staring defeat in the face it was Jones & Foody that set the momentum for what could have been a famous victory for Shane Bruen’s team.  Jones was lively all over the court and the hard working Tom Foody on the left brought the battle to Conlon & Coleman.  Conlon & Coleman confidence was tested to the full with Foody & Jones hitting back with 8 points on the trot leaving only 2 points in it at 17-15. The game and match was delicately poised. Conlon & Coleman looked to have weathered the Castleconnor Tsunami when getting 2 important points to lead by 4.  Foody & Jones gritty displayed seen them on the shoulders of Conlon & Coleman at 19-18.  With both sets of fervent supporters getting fully behind their players it was Conlon & Colman that emerged winners in a frenetic finish. Conlon was the hero in the end with an expertly taken kill shot into the right corner sealing the win for Martin Cooney’s team by 21-18 in a memorable Sligo handball team tournament. Sligo G.A.A Handball Treasurer Oisin Quinn presented the winners and runners-up with their trophies afterwards.

 Team E Martin Cooney’s team of Jamie Murray, Jason Earlis,Michael Bruen,  Gerry Coleman, Mark Murphy, Colin Conlon defeated  Team B of Shane Bruen’s team Seamus Duffy, Larry Jones, Tommy Trill, Tom Foody, Micheal Jones 125-79.

Martin Cooney team champions: Back row: Michael Bruen, Gerry Coleman, Mark Murphy & Colin Conlon. Front row: Martin Cooney, Jamie Murray & Jason Earlis

 

Shane Bruen's team runners-up

Back row: Seamus Duffy, Micheal Jones, Tommy Trill,

Front row: Tom Foody, Larry Jones & Shane Bruen

 

Jamie Murray in action

 

Gerry Coleman keeps his eye on the ball

 

Gerry Coleman action shot in final

 

Larry Jones ready to return the ball

 

Larry Jones still smiling through it all !!

Martin Cooney in action

 

Micheal Jones with Colin Conlon and Tom Foody also in picture

 

Gerry Coleman in action along with Micheal Jones & Tom Foody

 

Cooney's side to prevail

Cooney’s side to prevail

The first “Sligo handball gathering” of the year will be decided in the St. Mary’s handball club on Wednesday evening with the team of six finale. The Sligo handball board organised the tournament with players from Sligo, Mayo & Leitrim taking part.    The event has been running since November and Wednesday night’s eagerly awaited final shoot out should result in a fiercely close contest between the two teams.  Mayo’s Joe Mc Cann & Steven Cooney All-Ireland senior club champions with the Ballaghaderreen Club also took part to add to the overall competitive nature of the games. Surprisingly both players failed to reach the final with their respective teams.

Team E captained by Castleconnor’s Martin Cooney & Team B skippered by Collooney Shane Bruen both finished on 29 points each to qualify for the final. These two teams met last month with Cooney’s Team E just edging it in a thriller.

Wednesday’s final looks set to be equally as close. Martin Cooney will partner Leitrim’s Jamie Murray in the first doubles contest against Team B of Shane Bruen & Tommy Trill. Cooney & Murray appear to have the stronger firepower.  The second doubles see’s Mark Murphy & Michael Bruen  battle against Seamus Duffy & Larry Jones.  Bruen & Murphy were taken to a tie breaker against Duffy & Jones when these two sides played in the qualifying round. This time Bruen & Murphy should make no mistake and propel Martin Cooney’s side to overall victory. While the last doubles match of evening see’s rising young Castleconnor star Jason Earlis & Gerry Coleman pitted against Castleconnor duo of Micheal Jones & Tom Foody.

Sligo handball team of 6 final:

Wednesday 9^th January in St. Mary’s handball club at 7 pm.
Team B: Shane Bruen, Tommy Trill, Seamus Duffy, Larry Jones, Micheal Jones & Tom Foody v Team E: Jamie Murray,Martin Cooney, Mark Murphy, Michael Bruen,  Jason Earlis & Gerry Coleman