Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Earlis, Fox, Harte, Quinn going for Connacht Gold


Sligo Juveniles into Connacht finals

Jason Earlis is again back in action this weekend in the semi-finals of the Boys U-17 singles.  Earlis from the Castleconnor club is having a great year in handball having helped Castleconnor to an historic first Interclub  Connacht title at Junior B level. Earlis defeated Leitrim’s Aaron Scollan 21-12, 21-9 last Friday and he should account for  Galway Ronan O’ Beolain in the semi-finals on Saturday. A number of Sligo players are already into two provincial finals. Aoife Quinn who won an historic Irish Nationals Girls U-15 singles 40 x 20 title earlier this year will be hoping of adding a Connacht title to an already successful season. While Stanley Harte & Patrick Fox both from the Collooney club will be hopeful of victory in the Boys U-17 doubles final


Connacht Juvenile A 60 x 30 championships
Saturday 31st August in Belcarra Co. Mayo at 11 a.m.
U-16 Girls singles  final Aoife Quinn (Sligo) v Fiona Tully Ros or Tara Gibbons Mayo 

U-17 Boys doubles final: Stanley Harte Jnr & Patrick Fox  Sligo)  v   Alan Kenny, Nathan Massey (Mayo)             

At Castlebar Saturday 31st August @ 11am
Semi-finals
BU17S Jason Earlis (Sligo) v Ronan Ó Beolain (Galway)
winner v Niall Joyce Mayo  in U-17 singles final in Belcarra

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Paddy Walsh into All-Ireland final - Francis Mc Cann in race against time to be fit for Golden Masters A doubles semi-final

                                 Paddy Walsh into All-Ireland Over 70's final

Walsh into All-Ireland final

The legendary Paddy Walsh is into this year’s All-Ireland Over 70 singles final without having a game in this year’s championships. Walsh was due to play Dublin’s Mick O’ Brien last Saturday in Collooney but the game was called off after the Dubliner got injured prior to the match.  Walsh will now play Cork’s Pat O’Brien in the final. Another Sligo player Francis McCann had to withdraw from the semi-finals following a rib injury picked up in the week before his semi-final contest with Westmeath’s Robbie Mc Carthy. It was disappointment for Mc Cann as the Ballymote man had his sights on winning the All-Ireland this year.



Martin Cooney & Noel  Holden Kilkenny All-Ireland Silver Masters B singles semi-final


Castleconnor’s Martin Cooney had a high noon showdown with Kilkenny’s Noel Holden in the Silver Masters B semi final on Sunday. It was looking good for Cooney as he comfortably took the opening game by 21-9.  Unfortunately he picked up a shoulder injury in the second and this allowed the Kilkenny man back into it. It was a very tight second game with Holden just holding off Cooney by 21-18. In the tie breaker it was equally as close. Cooney tried to shake off the injury but Holden just did enough to reach the final.

All-Ireland handball 60 x 30 championships semi-finals:
Silver Masters B singles:  Martin Cooney (Sligo) lost to Noel Holden (Kilkenny) 21-9, 18-21, 16-21.
Over 70’s singles:  Paddy Walsh (Sligo) recd a walkover from Mick O’Brien (Dublin)

McCann in a race against time to be fit for Sundays All-Ireland semi-final

Ballymote’s  Francis Mc Cann & Martin Golden have home advantage in their semi-final outing with Meath’s Christy McGovern & John Boy Molloy. For Francis McCann is in a race against time to be fit for the tie following an injury picked up in training that forced out of last weekend’s All-Ireland singles semi final. The Ballymote duo have amassed 10 Connacht titles to their credit but have yet to taste All-Ireland success together. Their  Meath opponents have already won this year’s All-Ireland Golden Masters A 40 x 20 doubles title together and will go in as firm favourites. Both McGovern & Molloy became world handball champions last October in Citywest and have a great pedigree. McCann & Golden defeated Roscommon’s Ger Walsh & Dermot Doolin by 21-14, 21-19 while McGovern & Molloy defeated  Kildare’s Mick Dowling & Padraig Maguire. It is a big ask of the Sligo men but a fully fit McCann & Golden will press the Meath men to their limits in Ballymote and could cause a shock in their home court. The Sligo players will have large support from Sligo in what is expected to be an intriguing contest. 

Martin Donnelly sponsored All-Ireland 60 x 30 championships semi-finals
Sunday 1st September At Ballymote at 3 p.m.

Golden Masters A doubles (Francis McCann & Martin Golden  (Sligo) v Christy McGovern & John Boy Molloy (Meath)

Aaron Scollan Leitrim congratulates  Jason Earlis  on his quarter final victory in the Boys U-17 singles

Sligo Juveniles into Connacht finals

Jason Earlis is again back in action this weekend in the semi-finals of the Boys U-17 singles.  Earlis from the Castleconnor club is having a great year in handball having helped Castleconnor to an historic first Interclub  Connacht title at Junior B level. Earlis defeated Leitrim’s Aaron Scollan 21-12, 21-9 last Friday and he should account for  Galway Ronan O’ Beolain in the semi-finals on Saturday. A number of Sligo players are already into two provincial finals. Aoife Quinn who won an historic Irish Nationals Girls U-15 singles 40 x 20 title earlier this year will be hoping of adding a Connacht title to an already successful season. While Stanley Harte & Patrick Fox both from the Collooney club will be hopeful of victory in the Boys U-17 doubles final
Connacht Juvenile A 60 x 30 championships
Saturday 31st August in Belcarra Co. Mayo
U-16 Girls singles  final Aoife Quinn (Sligo) v Fiona Tully Ros or Tara Gibbons Mayo
U-17 singles Boys semi-final:  Jason Earlis (Sligo) v Ronan O’ Beolain (Galway)
U-17 Boys doubles final: Stanley Harte Jnr & Patrick Fox  Sligo)  v   Alan Kenny, Nathan Massey (Mayo)             

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Connacht Juvenile A championships fixtures -

Earlis in quarter-final action.

Jason Earlis a member of the Castleconnor Club  will take on Leitrim's Aaron Scollan in  the quarter finals of the Boys U-17 singles.   The match goes ahead in the newly opened Fenagh handball Court tomorrow evening  Friday at 8 p.m. Earlis came through the recent County U-17 singles trials with relative ease. Earlis a member of this year's Castleconnor Junior B Interclub 60 x 30 team that won the Connacht final. The talented teenager Earlis also play’s Intermediate football with Castleconnor G.F.C. will be hoping to advance to the semi-finals in Belcarra Mayo on Saturday 31st August next against Galway’s Ronan O’ Beolain

Connacht Juvenile A 60 x 30 championships fixtures:

Friday 23rd August in Fenagh at 8 p.m.
U-17 Boys  singles:  Jason Earlis  (Sligo) v Aaoran Scollan (Leitrim) quarter final

Semi-final winner v Ronan O’ Beolain (Galawy) on Saturday 31st August in Belcarra
Winner of Earlis/Scollan/O'Beolain  v Paul Cunnane (Mayo) U-17 singles final


Saturday 31st August in Belcarra Co. Mayo
U-16 Girls singles  final Aoife Quinn (Sligo) v Fiona Tully Ros or Tara Gibbons Mayo  
U-17 Boys doubles final: Stanley Harte Jnr & Patrick Fox (Sligo) v Mayo 

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Ocean FM interview with Hugh McGarry

Pictured at the start of the Collooney handball 40 x 20 deveolpment are Hugh McGarry Club Chairman, Paddy Walsh & Michael Bruen.



Am sending on the link to last Friday's Ocean FM interview with Hugh McGarry with  Sports Editor Darragh Cox in studio last week.


https://soundcloud.com/oceanfm/hugh-mcgarry-on-collooney




Jason Earlis in Connacht U-17 singles quarter final on Friday evening.

                                                 Sligo U-17 singles Jason Earlis

Earlis in quarter-final action.

Jason Earlis a member of the Castleconnor Club  will take on Leitrim's Aaron Scollan in the newly opened Fenagh Court on Friday evening at 8 p.m.. Earlis is progressing well this year and came through the recent County U-17 singles trials with relative ease. Earlis a member of this year's Castleconnor Junior B Interclub 60 x 30 team that won the Connacht final and beaten by the Kells club Kilkenny the eventual winnners in the semi-final. Earlis who plays Intermediate football with Castleconnor G.F.C. will be hoping to advance to the semi-finals in Belcarra Mayo on Saturday 31st August next

Connacht Juvenile A 60 x 30  championships quarter-finals
Friday 23rd August in Fenagh at 8 p.m.
U-17 singles: Jason Earlis (Sligo)  v Aaron Scollan (Leitrim)

Monday, August 19, 2013

Connacht Juvenile Championships semi-finals Sligo v Galway

Patrick Fox, Jason Earlis & Stanley Harte Jnr. Missing from photo is Aoife Quinn




The Connacht Juvenile 60 x 30 A championships semi-finals and finals will take place in Belcarra on Saturday 31st.

Sligo/Leitrim winners v Galway.
Roscommon v Mayo.

Finals afterwards.


U-16 Girls  singles  Aoife Quinn 
 
U-17 Boys  singles:  Jason Earlis
 
U-17 Boys doubles: Stanley Harte Jnr & Patrick Fox

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Jamie Murray coaches Sligo's stars ahead of the Connacht Juvenile 60 x 30 championships semi-finals


Jason Earlis Sligo U-17 singles

Patrick Fox & Stanley Harte Jnr U-17 doubles

Patrick Fox, Jason Earlis, Stanley Harte & Coach Jamie Murray


Patrick Fox, Jason Earlis, Stanley Harte jnr, Jamie Murray & Stanley Harte Snr


The Sligo Juvenile players that will represent the County in the Connacht Juvenile A 60 x 30 championships semi-finals next weekend were put through their paces on Sunday by Leitrim’s Jamie Murray.  The players learned a great deal from Jamie in the training session.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Coleman outstanding achievement winning 3 World handball medals at the World Police & Fire games


Outstanding:  Gerry Coleman celebrating 3 World Fire & Police Games medals  in Handball
Gerry displaying his handball skills

Sligo's answer to Usain Bolt


 Gerry pictured in his Irish Prison Service shirt proudly displaying his handball medals




Coleman wins 3 Police & Fire games World medals in handball writes Michael McGee

Curry’s Gerry Coleman is Sligo’s latest handball star having come home from the 2013 World Police & Fire games  with three handball medals (five in total) which took place in Belfast from August 1-10th last.  Coleman who works as a Nursing Officer in Loughlin House in Cavan is a member of the St. Mary’s & Collooney handball club. He also plays his One-Wall with the Cully club. Coleman faced stiff competition with players from Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Northern Ireland, U.S.A, & Ireland all taking part in a strong International field. 
Coleman won a Bronze medal in the Over 40’s One-Wall, Bronze in the 40 X 20 Four Wall event, Silver in the Over 40’s doubles with L.A.P.D. Officer Oscan DeSilva.  Not content with the handball medals Coleman also won a Bronze with the Fire Service G.A.A Over-35 team and also a silver medal in the dragon boat team of 10.

An outstanding achievement from Gerry and I sincerely congratulate him on his World medals success in handball. Gerry’s sensational achievement’s has given everyone in Sligo handball circles a major boost. His tremendous feats will be one of the highlights in another amazing year in Sligo handball.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Cooney, McCann & Walsh aiming for All-Ireland finals

                                              Francis McCann


                                                 Martin Cooney



                                      The legendary Paddy Walsh

Cooney, McCann & Walsh aiming for All-Ireland finals writes Michael McGee

Sligo handball players will be contesting 3 All-Ireland semi-finals over the weekend.  Legendary Sligo player Paddy Walsh is first into action against his old adversary in Dublin’s Mick O’Brien.  O’Brien has been something of a stumbling block for the St. Mary’s club man in recent years. In the last number of battles O’Brien has come out on top. Walsh had no competition in Connacht while O’Brien defeated Kilkenny’s Jim Dooley in the Leinster final. Walsh is chasing an amazing 29th All-Ireland handball. The maestro won his first national title in 1974.  On home ground and a large vocal support behind him  Walsh has the confidence this year to finally beat the Dubliner and qualify for another All-Ireland final appearance.

Castleconnor Club man Martin Cooney has a high noon showdown with Kilkenny’s Noel Holden. Cooney is into his second All-Ireland in as many years. Last year he defeated Down’s Sean McNally in the semi-final but was narrowly defeated by Limerick’s John Frazier in the final. Cooney is in top form this year. The only test he got in this year’s championships was in the Connacht final. In that he was forced to play his best game so far in these championships when getting the better of Mayo George Miller by 21-14, 21-20.    Holden like Cooney was beaten in last year’s All-Ireland final in the Masters B category.  Cooney is in sparking form all season. Cooney the powerful hitter is tipped to reach the final against either Monaghan’s John McGeough or Limerick’s Denis McCarthy

Another handball legend Francis McCann travels to Mullingar to take on Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy. Both players have played at senior level. In McCann’s case he represented Sligo for 19 years in the senior championships. In the Connacht final McCann had an easy 21-5, 21-8 win over Mayo’s Kevin Macken while McCarthy defeated Kildare’s Mick Dowling in the Leinster final a player that McCann knows very well. It was Dowling who defeated McCann in two All-Ireland  singles finals last year.  Three years ago was McCann’s last All-Ireland triumph beating Cavan’s Mickeleen Brady in the Golden Masters A singles final in Roscommon. The Ballymote club man has 18 All-Ireland titles and is eager to make it 19 this year. McCann’s first All-Ireland title was back in 1977 when winning the Minor All-Ireland doubles title with club mate the late Michael Porter. McCann has worked hard this year in training and with his great experience and fitness he should come through a tough test against the Westmeath man.

Martin Donnelly sponsored G.A.A Handball All-Ireland 60 x 30 championships semi-finals

Saturday 24TH August At Collooney, Sligo at 5pm                            
O70S: Sligo (Paddy Walsh) v Dublin (Mick O’Brien)

Sunday 25th August At Kilfane, Co. Kilkenny at 12.noon                  
SMBS: Sligo (Martin Cooney) v Kilkenny (Noel Holden)

At Mullingar, Co.Westmeath at  4pm                        
GMAS: Sligo Francis McCann v Westmeath (Robert McCarthy)



Hugh McGarry on Ocean FM tomorrow evening


Tomorrow Friday August 16th Hugh McGarry Chairman of the Collooney handball club will be interviewed by Darragh Cox Ocean FM Sports Editor on his Friday evening sports show which goes out on air from 6- 7 p.m.  Hugh will be talking about the start to the Collooney handball 40 x 20 court development which began on Monday. Hugh should be on air approx  6.30 p.m.


Monday, August 12, 2013

Construction of Collooney handball court begins (Monday August 12th 2013)


Collooney handball club members celebrate

 back row left to right: Connell Cannon, Seamus Duffy, Paddy Walsh, Micheal Flynn
front row: Michael McGee, Shane Bruen, Stanley Harte, Michael Bruen & Hugh McGarry

missing from photo is Peter Chambers, Mick Kelly, Brendan Carey, Michael McMorrow & Peter Davey




Group photo back row left to right: Seamus Duffy, Connell Cannon, Paddy Walsh, Micheal Flynn (partially hidden) Michael Bruen
front row: Keith Lavin, Aidan Malone, Stanley Harte, Shane Bruen, Hugh McGarry club chairman & Shane Malone Main Contractor


            Shane Malone and his team:  Aidan Malone, Keith Lavin & Shane Malone

                                    Hugh McGarry, Paddy Walsh & Michael Bruen


                                      Micheal Flynn & Paddy Walsh


                                Getting the site ready for development




                                        Group photo kindly taken by Seamus Duffy



Collooney club officials at the start of the club's development -  with thanks to Seamus Duffy


Construction of Collooney handball court begins

The eagerly awaited start to the new Collooney handball 40 x 20 court finally began on Monday last August 12th writes Michael McGee.

 It is a momentous & historic occasion for the Sligo club in what has been a long time coming.

The Club has been in existence since 1928.  The then Chairman Alfie Higgins a signal man on the Midland Railway and WP McElroy and Secretary approached the land owners the Cooper Family of Markree Castle who kindly donated a plot of ground on the Fairgreen. At the official opening in 1928 Joe & Paddy Bergin who had local connections and were residing in Tipperary played Jim Hunt & Eddie Perry from Sligo. Others who played included Joe Lane, Guard Cunnion from Ballintogher, Jim & Mickey O’Rourke from Ballisodare.

 In 1996/97 the height of the walls was extended to 27ft and the installing of a new floor. Dressing rooms were added in 1999.The old galvanised roof was replaced in 2001 with a modern roof. With the added facilities Collooney hosted many Connacht handball championships matches and a number of All-Ireland semi-finals & finals. 

The idea of a 40 x 20 handball court was first mooted in 2007 by Paddy Walsh, & Stanley Harte club stalwarts and others who were coaching the young players in Collooney.    “It’s a pity they don’t have a 40 x 20 Court with a glass back wall to train in”. Club Chairman Hugh McGarry immediately recognised the potential in the young players but without the proper facilities they could not advance the coaching.

“I was also very conscious that if Sligo had a home game & venue we didn’t have a Court with a full glass back wall that could accommodate a crowd that would see all the action – the St. Mary’s facility in Sligo was made up of concrete and glass back wall.”

 And with the idea now firmly ingrained in McGarry’s mind a committee was formed. Fundraising for the new handball court began in 2008 with tickets sales bringing in €13,000 initially.  In August of 2009 Andy Healy (a Sligo native) President of the Boston Sligo Association handed over $2,000 to the club following a St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser in Boston to club officials in Collooney handball club. Most recently the Club was grateful to receive €50,000 from the Department of Arts Sports & Tourism in January.

The plans for the handball court was unveiled in January 2011 in Collooney. Indeed the handball club got much satisfaction from the local Owenmore G.A.A Club with its award winning grounds and more recently the playground in the Fairgreen. Chairman of the Owenmore G.A.A Club Martin Cannon spoke at the unveiling of the plans as did Sligo G.A.A Chairman Cyril Feehily & P.J. Moran the technical advisor.

 Present at the unveiling of the plans were Cyril Feehily Chairman Sligo G.A.A. Board, Michael McMorrow former Chairman Sligo Handball Board, Martin Cannon Chairman of the local Owenmore Gaels Club, P.J. Moran Civil Engineer, & Fr. Pat Peyton P.P. who is a great supporter of the club. Hugh McGarry Chairman Collooney Handball Club & invited guests. All Sligo handball clubs were represented.

The Club have taken a loan out of €76,000 from “Clan Credo and the money is being paid back by two sources of revenue the Bingo and from the club members themselves who put in €5 every week.  The club welcomes anyone who is willing to contribute to the project to come on board.  The bingo will be running for 3 years in September each Thursday night and is successful to date. Former Chairman of the Collooney Club Brendan Carey was the first who suggested that the club get involved in the weekly bingo and this has been running every week since. 

The project almost never got off the ground according to the Chairman. “It was vitally important that the new 40 x 20 Court would be built adjacent to the existing 60 x 30 court so that the two facilities would be side by side in the one venue. At first The Park Committee who own the park were reluctant to give up any ground. The club got around this stumbling block by buying additional ground beside the Park and in turn  exchanged that ground for the ground on which we are now presently building the 40 x 20 court.  The Park Committee were happy with this, thus allowing the project to proceed.  McGarry played a pivotal role in this making sure that the project would progress and has worked tirelessly on it.

The main contractor is Shane Malone from Boyle. Shane has already built two award winning developments in Collooney at Bramble Hallow and at Hawthorn Court. The Club’s Technical Advisor is none other than P.J. Moran an All-Ireland winner with Roscommon.

The cost of the entire project is costing €200,000 to build. The club nominated the legendary Paddy Walsh to deliver the commencement notice to Sligo County Council. Walsh the club coach along with Mick Kelly, Stanley Harte & Shane Bruen has twenty eight All-Ireland handball titles in a glittering career going back to 1974 when he won his first All-Ireland medal.

 “It was appropriate that Paddy would be given this task as he was one of the main people to push for the erection of the 40 x 20 court in Collooney and he was always of the view that to develop good players you must have the right facilities,” said McGarry.

It is expected the project will take eight months to complete. The weekly bingo has become an integral part of the fundraising and the club have given a commitment that it will be held every Thursday hail, rain or snow. 

 “There is something very nice and special about the Bingo in Collooney and our patrons have told us on many occasions how much they enjoy coming to Collooney because of the welcome and the fun that they have.”

McGarry greatly acknowledges the excellent work of his team principally Paddy Walsh, Stanley Harte, Peter Davey, Mick Kelly, Peter Chambers, Connell Cannon, Shane Bruen, Michael McGee, Brendan Carey, Seamus Duffy, & Michael Mc Morrow.

 McGarry explained: “the people of Collooney want this project to succeed.  They realise that there is a huge history attached to the existing 60 x 30 court and they know that by the building of the 40 x 20 court beside it that Collooney will be the main centre for handball in the County.  They feel that this is rightly so because of the road networks – easy access in and out.”

It says much for the Collooney handball committee that even in these difficult  economic times the project continued at pace while other sporting projects were either cancelled or curtailed. It is a point that I am sure will not have been lost with the  the Sligo G.A.A Board who will have been hugely impressed with the Collooney handball club ambitious project as not a cent was taken out of the Sligo G.A.A Board’s coffers.

The sod turning ceremony took place on Friday May 18th 2012 and was attended by local politicians, G.A.A. Officials & the people of Collooney.  What pleased the Club most was the entire Collooney community turned out for the celebrations. Local G.A.A stalwarts Michael Flynn & Maureen Mullin were given the honour of turning the first sod on the club’s new handball court. Maureen Mullin was treasurer of the St. Feichin’s Community Games from 1973-1998 and Treasurer of the Teeling Centre for the past 27 years.  Michael Flynn was handball trustee back in the 1970’s.

Even a camera crew from TG4 attended on that beautiful warm Friday evening. Three people spoke at the sod turning ceremony Cyril Feehily Chairman of the Sligo G.A.A Board, Peter Chambers the then Chairman of the Sligo handball board and Hugh McGarry Club Chairman. All three speeches were delivered eloquently & expressively. Chairman Hugh McGarry the last to speak and in a rousing speech to all present remembered everyone who helped the club down through the years, the players, committee members, sponsors.  That long speech by McGarry will be best remembered in his closing sentences taking the lines from a famous Barack OBama speech when he said “stick with us and we will do it. Is feidir linn”

McGarry recalls the great club players of the past & present who dearly loved to see the project come to fruition and mentioned the names of the late Paddy Callaghan, Kenneth McKenna, Michaél Flynn, Aidan Flynn, Malachy and Dermot Flynn, Brendan Carey, Peter Francis O’Connor;  Aidan McGoldrick and many more. 

The present crop of stars include Shane Bruen,  Paddy Walsh, Vincent McKeon, Hugh McGarry, Connell Cannon, Mick Kelly, Peter Davey, John McLoughlin, Pat O’ Sullivan, Seamus Duffy, Stanley Harte, Sean Coen, Mick McMorrow & Peter Chambers all have won numerous Connacht & All-Ireland handball titles.

The likes of Stanley Harte Jnr, Patrick Fox, Emmett & Martin Brannigan, Simon Kavanagh, Ross Taheny, Tommy Trill & Adam McGoldrick are the emerging young stars who will represent club & county in the near future.

The Collooney handball 60 x 30 court has hosted many All-Ireland championships games and indeed the One-Wall Nationals finals were held in the Collooney club from 1999-2008

While the machines were working away McGarry’s reminiscence on the players he played with. The Committee members of the Park, who at the end of the day, agreed to transfer that bit of ground to us. “The Committee known as ‘The Pound Committee’ who transferred the section of ground that leads from the Ball Alley down to the public road is now so vital for car parking and the playground there – people like Marie Lang, the late Eddie Tighe and so many more.  The many business people who have given so generously down through the years, people like Michaél Flynn,  Mick Eames, O’Connors of Ballisodare; Tony Gray; Andy Healy and the great people of Collooney who have supported this Club financially and otherwise since 1928 – people who have gone to their eternal reward, Kathleen Flynn, Ned Connolly, Tommy Mullen  and many more.  These people are in our thoughts today and will never be forgotten.”


Next month there is a rock festival on the Fairgreen but already all in the Collooney handball club are rocking with the prospect of a new and modern 40 x 20 handball court. Dreams are made of this......

Collooney handball 40 x 20 court development starts

Collooney handball club starting work on their 40 x 20 court development today



After something like 5 years of fundraising, meetings, more meetings hard work,commitment, loyalty and dedication the Collooney handball club are celebrating the start of its new 40 x 20 handball court development today Monday August 12th. It's an historic day in the historic of the club and to its members who have steadfastly strived for this to happen.

Work will be getting under way around 12 noon  today. The cost of the new handball court will be in the region of €200,000 to build and will take 8 months to complete. Shane Malone from Boyle is the main contractor.  The club was grateful to receive €50,000 from the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport  back in January from the Sports Capital funding programme.  Collooney was one of just six handball clubs throughout the country to receive grant aid. There was over 2,000 applications for funding from all over the country in the allocated €26 million sports grants from the Government.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Kilmactigue handball gathering


Group photo.
Back row standing left to right:Francis Mc Cann, Shane Bruen, Seamus Howley, Seamus O' Donnell, Jimmy Hegarty, Ben Ginty, Padraig Maye, Ollie Cassidy, Peter Cassidy.

Seated left to right: Tom Golderick, Fr. Tom Quinn, Tommy Ginty & Jimmy Roper




photo no. 2 Peter Cassidy striking the ball. Also in picture is Ollie Cassidy & Francis McCann


Kilmactigue handball gathering

An historic handball celebration took place in Kilmactigue as part of the “Gathering” on the Bank Holiday Sunday August 4th last writes Michael McGee.  

It brought back special memories of the 1940’s & 1950’s when handball was a popular sport & pastime in Kilmactigue. The old handball alley is 101 years old. The historic court was originally a 3 wall court but oddly enough when a back wall was erected in the late 1950’s interest in handball sadly declined.
The idea  to the handball gathering was to recreate a typical village scene from days of old when locals congregated at the ball alley after Sunday Mass and played each other sometimes even for a small wager before going home (usually late) for their Sunday dinner
.
A number of inspired locals have restored the alley to its former self especially Seamus O’Donnell, Matt Barren, Brendan Kennedy, Seamus Molloy, Milo Maye & Joseph Gallagher.  An exhibition match took place in brilliant sunshine between Sligo’s Francis McCann & Shane Bruen and Mayo’s the Cassidy brothers Ollie & Peter. Seamus O’Donnell spoke prior to the start of the match and reminiscence about past players and games played in the old court.  


Mayo won the match but more significant the handball alley again reverberating with the sound of handball being played brought back many cherished memories for the large crowd that attended. Padraig Maye and All-Ireland handball champion and an International Athletics Champion played in Kilmactigue hopes that “the exhibition match will be the catalyst to a new generation to take up the game.”




Thursday, August 8, 2013

Earlis to represent Sligo in U-17 singles




                                       Padraig O' Dowd & Stanley Harte



                                      Patrick Fox & Jason Earlis


            Stanley Harte r-up with Jason Earlis winner U-17 County trials


County Juvenile U-17 A trials.

The U-17 A trials took place in Collooney last evening and Castleconnor’s Jason Earlis emerged the winner and will represent the County in the Connacht Juvenile A championships

1st Semi-final:   Stanley Harte dft Padraic O’ Dowd 21-5, 21-8
2nd Semi-final:  Jason Earlis dft Patrick Fox 21-6, 21-7

Final:    Jason Earlis dft Stanley Harte 21-5, 21-11

Results & photos  with thanks to Shane Bruen

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Doubles delight for McCann & Golden

Doubles delight for McCann & Golden

Sligo handball players were involved in four Provincial double deciders over the weekend winning one writes Michael McGee.

 The Golden Masters A doubles pair of Francis McCann & Martin Golden were the only successful Sligo handball team to return home with a Connacht title

Williamstown hosted two finals involving Sligo on Saturday evening. In their first Connacht appearance in the final of the Junior B Martin Brannigan & Simon Cavanagh lost out in 3 games to Roscommon’s Liam O’ Ceallaigh & Joe Fallon by 19-21, 21-20, 21-12. Both teams were evenly matched throughout but in the vital stages of the match Roscommon’s Liam O’ Ceallaigh & Joe Fallon gained the all important points and edged the contest in an entertaining final. Brannigan & Cavanagh can be pleased with their first Connacht final appearance in the Sligo colours. It won’t be too long before they are celebrating a Connacht title.

For the experienced McCann & Golden it was a repeat of this year’s Connacht 40 x 20 final overturning Roscommon’s victory in February.   McCann & Golden had to battle all the way before defeating the Rossies Dermot Doolin & Ger Walsh by 21-14, 21-19. Saturday’s win for the Ballymote men was their their 9th provincial together.
  
The Silver Masters B doubles pairing of Martin Cooney & Tom Foody came out the wrong side of a narrow loss to Mayo’s George Miller & Kevin Cox in St. Coman’s Roscommon on Thursday evening. Cooney & Foody had opportunities to take the title especially in the second game when leading 19-16. Mayo came back strongly at Sligo getting the all important points to take the second game forcing the tiebreaker Sligo took a 10-4 lead up in the tie breaker but it proved to be their last score as Mayo piled on the pressure and took control finishing stronger against the tiring Sligo players.

There was further disappointment for the Golden Masters B pairing of Peter Chambers & Stanley Harte who lost to Mayo’s Joe Cummins & John Conroy from Mayo for the second year in a row in a Connacht final by 13-21, 14-21

Connacht Championships 60 x 30 finals:
Saturday 3rd August  in Williamstown at 6 pm.
Junior B doubles: Martin Brannigan & Simon Cavanagh (Sligo) lost to Liam O’ Ceallagh & Joe Fallon (Roscommon) 19-21, 21-20, 12-21
Golden Masters A doubles:  Francis McCann & Martin Golden (Sligo)  dft Ger Walsh & Dermot Doolin (Roscommon) 21-14, 21-19

Saturday 3rd August in St. Coman’s Roscommon at 5 p.m.
Golden Masters B doubles:  Stanley Harte & Peter Chambers (Sligo) lost to John Conroy & Joe Cummins (Mayo) 13-21, 14-21
Silver Masters B doubles:  Martin Cooney & Tom Foody (Sligo) lost to George Miller & Kevin Cox  (Mayo) 21-20, 19-21, 10-21


Connacht championships 60 x 30 finals
Wednesday 7th August in Collooney at 6 p.m.
Emerald Masters A doubles:  Hugh McGarry & Michael McMorrow (Sligo) v Kevin Geraghty & Pat Hopkins (Mayo)

 Two Bronze medals for Gerry Coleman
Gerry Coleman from the Collooney handball club won 2 bronze medals at the World Police & Fire in  One-Wall & 40 x 20  games in Belfast at the weekend.


Colllooney handball club will officially start the construction to the new 40 x 20 handball court on Monday 12th August.  

Friday, August 2, 2013

Photos from Collooney August 1st 2013

Collooney handball comittee back row left to right: Hugh McGarry Chairman, Seamus Duffy & Peter Davey.
Front row: Shane Bruen Club Secretary, Paddy Walsh & Mick Kelly.
Missing from photo - Connell Cannon, Peter Chambers, Stanley Harte & Michael McGee


               Martin Brannigan & Simon Cavanagh Connacht Junior B doubles finalists

                                   
                                  Sligo County Handball Chairman Shane Bruen


                                                   Mayo's Michael Ginley

                                             A smiling Dave Mulhern Donegal