Francis McCann
Sligo handball stars aiming for Connacht titles
Sligo handball players go in search of 5 Connacht handball titles this weekend. St. Marys duo of Peter Chambers & Michael McMorrow travel to Castlebar the venue of their semi-final triumphs and both have an excellent chance of bringing Provincial titles back to Sligo. Chambers was enjoying the Galway racing festival in Ballybrit last weekend and will be hoping his current good form will see him cross the finishing line in flying colours.
Meanwhile the following day in the Williamstown court in Galway Collooney’s Shane Bruen and Ballymote’s Francis McCann & Martin Golden will be hoping for a Sligo treble in their respective grades.
Saturday 6th August 2011 in Castlebar at 5pm
Golden Masters B Singles: Peter Chambers Sligo v Willie Corcoran Galway
Peter Chambers is a Newport native and he put that to one side in his semi-final over Mayo’s James McNulty. Chambers was runner-up in 2 Connacht finals before finally getting his hands on a Connacht title when teaming up with Collooney’s Stanley Harte to win the Silver Masters B doubles title last year. Chambers is playing well in training but will need to move an extra gear if he is secure his second Connacht title against Galway’s Willie Corcoran
Emerald Masters B Singles: Michael McMorrow Sligo v James Coughlin Roscommon.
Michael McMorrow is the holder of 2 Connacht titles. The St. Mary’s Club man had an exciting 3 game battle with Mayo’s Eugene Maloney in the semi-final before battling back for a memorable victory. The Castlebar court should suit the Sligo man and he bids for a 3rd Connacht handball title.
Sunday 7th August 2011 in Williamstown at 3pm
O35 B Singles: Shane Bruen Sligo v Billy Kelly Roscommon
Collooney star Shane Bruen makes a welcome return to competitive action after a 2 years sabbatical away from the game. Bruen and playing partner Kevin Meehan won Connacht doubles titles in 2008/09 in both 40 x 20 & 60 x 30 courts and a Connacht singles title in 2008. Bruen had an excellent 21-6, 21-8 win over Mayo’s George Miller in the semi-final
Billy Kelly from the Ballymoe Club in Roscommon already has an All-Ireland medal having been a medal of the Ballymore side that won the All-Ireland 40 x 20 Junior B Interclub title last year. If Bruen can maintain his semi-final form there is every chance the Collooney player will have another Connacht title to celebrate
Silver Masters A Singles Martin Golden Sligo v Anthony O’Donnell Roscommon.
A holder of 18 All-Ireland handball titles the experienced Sligo player will need it all as he faces Roscommon’s Anthony O’Donnell.The Ballymote man has not been tested in the championship so far but will face a stern examination from O’Donnell. Golden will need to stamp his authority on the game right from the start if he is to capture another Connacht championship medal
Golden Masters A Singles: Francis McCann Sligo v Dermot Doolin Roscommon
Sligo’s Francis McCann is one of Sligo’s most decorated players having won numerous Connacht & All-Ireland titles. He won his first adult title at Provincial level having won the Junior Singles back in 1980. A holder of 18 All-Ireland handball titles to his credit and a noted one wall handball player McCann will relish the opportunity of adding to his record medal haul. Doolin defeated Galway’s Brian Hard by 21-1, 21-4 in the semi-final while McCann was equally impressive when disposing of Mayo’s Frank Mackin last time out. This could be the match of the day with McCann fancied to come through.
The Sligo Juvenile 1-Wall championships took place in the Cully Open court last Saturday as part of the Curry GAA Club’s celebrations.
The winners were
U-13 doubles Marie & Brendan Foody bt Caitronia Swift & Rachel Foody 21-6.
Plate final: Conor Booth & Jonathon Devanney bt Vincent Harte & Tony Fox 21-4
U-15 doubles final: Ross Taheny & Patrick Fox bt Jason Earlis & Barry McLoughlin 6-15, 15-10, 11-10.
U-17 doubles final: Tommy Trill & Stanley Harte bt Shane Wright & Aoife Quinn 15-2, 15-12
