QUARTER-FINAL
Sligo v Leitrim at Drumshambo Sunday 1st April @ 12:00 TBC
BU12S : Vincent Harte (Sligo) v Oisin McLoughlin (Leitrim)
BU12D: Diarmuid Harte, Arron Bruen (Sligo) v Tom McKeon & Caolin McDermott (Leitrim)
BU13S: Odhran Quinn (Sligo) v David Wrynn (Leitrim)
BU14S Brendan Foody (Sligo) v Aaron McLoughlin (Leitrim)
BU14D Jonathan Davey & Sean Carrabine (Sligo) v Conor O’Rourke & Conor Reynolds (Leitrim)
BU15S Michael Wrynn (LM) v Conor Booth (Sligo) v Michael Wrynn (Leitrim)
BU16D Padraig O’Dowd, Sean Golden (Sligo) v Mark Leddy & Mark Quinn (Leitrim)
Welcome to the Sligo Handball Blogpage. It is a new medium that the County will use to publicize its events. Enjoy reading the articles and Happy Blogging. Michael McGee Sligo Handball PRO
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Boylan to hot for Murtagh in Ocean FM handball final
Boylan helps Leitrim to historic handball double
Leitrim’s Francis Boylan created a little piece of handball history when he became the inaugural Ocean FM Handball champion for 2012. Leitrim’s Jamie Murray was the referee and he explained the rules to the two gladiators before the duo went into battle in the Collooney coliseum. Boylan the favourite made the early running and went into a big opening 8-1 lead. Murtagh found the going tough early on and his accuracy in good positions let him down at crucial times. Boylan was the more economical when it came to score getting and he kept the scoreboard moving upwards. Murtagh as the opening game wore on came more into the contest but Boylan had a good cushion of a lead built up to let it slip. In an exciting finish Boylan got three scores in a row to take the opening game by 15-9
Into the second game Boylan again went out in front. Murtagh adapted to the play much better in the second and certainly made the champion fight all the way. Mid way through the second game Murtagh hit a purple patch with 4 points in a row and Boylan looked decidedly shaky for the first time in the contest. Even his colleagues Michelle Gildea & Darragh Cox lent their support to the boy wonder Murtagh. Boylan looked rattled for the first time. The massive support in the Collooney cauldron erupted with a crescendo of noise Sligo, Sligo reverberating all over the handball court. This gave Murtagh great encouragement and he played his best handball in the final.
With the likes of Peter Heaney, Jamie Murray and Pat Wrynn Father of Donal Wrynn Leitrim’s Minor Singles All-Ireland champion giving their county hero Boylan every encouragement. The final was played like it was a World handball title at stake. Boylan’s determination was etched all over his face while Murtagh with the boyish good looks boosted by the huge Sligo support made in roads to the Leitrim’s man’s lead. Boylan managed to weather the Murtagh storm and like a bolt of lightning asserted control again. This time Boylan took a firm grip. In an exciting conclusion Boylan got the all important winning scores to seal a thrilling victory by 15-12.
Connacht Handball President Peter Heaney congratulated both players for an excellent exhibition of handball. The gallant David Murtagh was presented with the runners-up trophy by Peter Heaney. Leitrim’s Francis Boylan made it an historic double for Leitrim in the handball courts this week when he was presented with the Ocean FM Handball 2012 champion trophy. The event looks certain to become an annual event in the Sligo handball calendar.
Sligo's David Murtagh & Leitrim's Francis Boylan before the historic Ocean FM handball final
Ocean FM Sports Chief Darragh Cox interviews David & Francis before the start of the final
Leitrim's Jamie Murray referee explaining the rules to Ocean FM's Darragh Cox
Meet the Ocean FM afternoon crew Francis, Michelle & David AKA - FMD
Action play from the final
Leitrim supporters with Francis Boylan
Peter Heaney Connacht Handball President presenting the gallent Sligo's David Murtagh with his runners-up trophy
Ocean FM handball champion 2012: Peter Heaney presenting the 2012 Ocean FM Handball champion trophy to Leitrim's Francis Boylan. Well done Francis.
Leitrim’s Francis Boylan created a little piece of handball history when he became the inaugural Ocean FM Handball champion for 2012. Leitrim’s Jamie Murray was the referee and he explained the rules to the two gladiators before the duo went into battle in the Collooney coliseum. Boylan the favourite made the early running and went into a big opening 8-1 lead. Murtagh found the going tough early on and his accuracy in good positions let him down at crucial times. Boylan was the more economical when it came to score getting and he kept the scoreboard moving upwards. Murtagh as the opening game wore on came more into the contest but Boylan had a good cushion of a lead built up to let it slip. In an exciting finish Boylan got three scores in a row to take the opening game by 15-9
Into the second game Boylan again went out in front. Murtagh adapted to the play much better in the second and certainly made the champion fight all the way. Mid way through the second game Murtagh hit a purple patch with 4 points in a row and Boylan looked decidedly shaky for the first time in the contest. Even his colleagues Michelle Gildea & Darragh Cox lent their support to the boy wonder Murtagh. Boylan looked rattled for the first time. The massive support in the Collooney cauldron erupted with a crescendo of noise Sligo, Sligo reverberating all over the handball court. This gave Murtagh great encouragement and he played his best handball in the final.
With the likes of Peter Heaney, Jamie Murray and Pat Wrynn Father of Donal Wrynn Leitrim’s Minor Singles All-Ireland champion giving their county hero Boylan every encouragement. The final was played like it was a World handball title at stake. Boylan’s determination was etched all over his face while Murtagh with the boyish good looks boosted by the huge Sligo support made in roads to the Leitrim’s man’s lead. Boylan managed to weather the Murtagh storm and like a bolt of lightning asserted control again. This time Boylan took a firm grip. In an exciting conclusion Boylan got the all important winning scores to seal a thrilling victory by 15-12.
Connacht Handball President Peter Heaney congratulated both players for an excellent exhibition of handball. The gallant David Murtagh was presented with the runners-up trophy by Peter Heaney. Leitrim’s Francis Boylan made it an historic double for Leitrim in the handball courts this week when he was presented with the Ocean FM Handball 2012 champion trophy. The event looks certain to become an annual event in the Sligo handball calendar.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Visit to Tubbercurry N.S. - with thanks to Teacher John Cawley
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Handball match comes to "Boylan" point
Darragh Cox Sports Editor Ocean FM 102.5, Francis Boylan Leitrim, Margaret Carr Flynn Donegal & David Murtagh Sligo
Handball match comes to “Boylan” point by Michael McGee
A novel 1-wall handball challenge will take place in Collooney Sligo tomorrow evening Thursday at 5 p.m. between 2 radio presenters on Ocean FM’s 102.5 “Lazy afternoon show”. The show goes out on air from 12 noon to 4 pm daily. Leitrim’s Francis Boylan has put down the challenge to his co-host in Sligo’s David Murtagh. Boylan holds the upperhand as he has already played handball in Fenagh & Manorhamilton.
“I played handball a good few years ago up in Fenagh and used to play in the court in Manorhamilton. Sean Farrell was involved out there and we used to go up to Fenagh but I wasn’t any good by any stretch of the imagination. I am looking forward to it and it’s something different” said the Leitrim man.
As for his co-host David Murtagh freely admits he is a complete novice when it comes to playing the sport. “I never actually played handball before. It is a lot harder than it actually looks and not all about your hands and hitting the ball off the wall. I am looking forward to this challenge and hopefully to make Sligo proud. Francis is a very sporting player and I know I have a strong challenge ahead of me. Hopefullly I will be able to beat him. I am younger and a bit fitter and with a bit of luck I will have the trophy in my hands on Thursday evening”, declared a confident Murtagh.
Will Boylan help to make it an historic double success for Leitrim on the handball courts this week or will Murtagh's anticipated sparking display in the Sligo colours spoil the party!
Sligo Handball Board Secretary/PRO Michael McGee has sponsored the trophies and the winner will receive the “Ocean FM Handball Champion 2012 trophy. Darragh Cox Sports Chief on Ocean FM and Michael McGee will provide live commentary on this unique handball battle on the Northwest’s airwaves.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Sligo handballers going for glory
Sligo handballers going for glory
Sligo pairing of Shane Bruen & Mark Murphy will need to play their best handball in the championships if they are to become All-Ireland Over-35 B doubles 40 x 20 champions on Sunday, writes Michael McGee.
The Yeats County men will be the underdogs against Munster champions in Limerick’s Paul Hedderman & Ken Bourke. Murphy & Bruen took the Connacht title after a 3 game thriller against Mayo’s Michael Ginley & Seamus Maughan. In a very close contest throughout the Sligo men just edged it by 21-19, 20-21, 21-17. In their semi-final clash with Tyrone’s Eamonn & Seamus McCrory after a sluggish start the Sligo men dominated and ran out comfortable winners in the end by 21-14, 21-2.
Bruen has won an All-Ireland Colleges title with Michael Tormay in 1988 but had to wait until 2007 before winning Connacht Junior B singles & doubles titles with Kevin Meehan. Bruen didn’t play in last year’s tournament but has made great progress this year reaching the Connacht final in the Over 35 B singles and doubles triumph.
Castleconnor’s Mark Murphy has a number of Connacht titles to his credit and is a very capable player on court with a big physical presence. Murphy’s was a member of the Castleconnor team that finished runners-up in the recent Sligo handball team league final. The Castleconnor man can be relied upon to deliver the goods and with the experienced Bruen .
“We realise we will be the underdogs in the final. We are up against quality opposition. Mark & I are playing well and are quietly confident. The pressure will be on Limerick and we have nothing to lose going into the final,” said Bruen.
Their final opponents in Limerick’s Paul Hedderman & Ken Bourke defeated a very fancied Stephen Barcoe & Canice Quigley from Kilkenny by 21-17, 21-18 in their semi-final. Hedderman is an accomplished handball player having finished runner up in the Men’s C singles & doubles final in the last World handball championships in Portland Oregan three years ago.
GAA Handball O’Neills All-Ireland Handball Championships final:
Sunday 1st April 2012, in Moycullen, Galway, 1pm:
Over 35B Doubles: Shane Bruen & Mark Murphy (Sligo) v Paul Hedderman & Ken Bourke (Limerick)
Path to the final:
Over 35 B doubles: Shane Bruen & Mark Murphy (Sligo) dft Michael Ginley & Seamus Maughan (Mayo) 21-19, 20-21, 21-17
All-Ireland semi-finals
Over-35 B doubles: Shane Bruen & Mark Murphy (Sligo) dft Eamon & Seamus McCrory Tyrone 21-14, 21-2
Final defeat for Francis McCann
There was no joy for Sligo’s Francis McCann in the Golden Masters Singles final. A troublesome calf injury picked up in the week prior to the final severely hampered the Ballymote’s man chances. McCann who didn’t play in last year’s 40 x 20 championships found his final opponent in unstoppable form. Despite bravely fighting his way back into both games the Kildare man finished the stronger. Mc Cann will now turn his thoughts to the 60 x 30 court where he is the reigning champion.
G.A.A Handball O’ Neills All-Ireland finals:
Saturday 24th March 2012, in Curraghboy, Roscommon, 4pm: Golden Masters A Singles: Francis Mc Cann (Sligo) lost to Michael Dowling (Kildare) 12-21, 7-21
Quinn in final
Castleconnor’s Aoife Quinn is through to the All-Ireland girls U-15 singles final following a hard fought 3 set battle with Armagh’s Kaitlin Flevelle. It didn’t look good for the Sligo starlet after losing the first game to the Ulster champion. In the next two games Quinn powered her way to the final with a decisive 2 game winning salvo to propel her into the final.
Sligo’s thought of a double evaporated in Loughmacrory. Castleconnor’s Jason Earlis found his opponent Eugene McGeough in imperious form. The Castleconnor Club player started in confident mood taking the first game by 21-13. The momentum swung back to McGeough in the second after Earlis fell heavily while retrieving a ball. Earlis was forced to take a few minutes to recover. He bravely fought on but was clearly hampered by the injury. McGeough seized the initiative at that stage. There was no way back for Earlis. Though defeated Earlis received a standing ovation at the end for carrying on to the end.
All-Ireland Juvenile championships 40x 20 semi-finals
Saturday 24th March 2012, in Loughmacrory, Co Tyrone, 1pm
Girls U-15 Singles: Aoife Quinn Sligo dft Kaitlin Flevelle Armagh 12-15, 15-9, 15-10
Boys U-16 Singles: Jason Earlis (Sligo) lost to Eugene McGeough Monaghan 21-13, 6-21, 3-21.
Sligo Juvenile 40 x 20 championships results
U-11 Singles final: Paul Leydon Oxfield bt Daire Barrins Castleconnor 15-2, 15-14
U12 Singles final: Vincent Harte Collooney bt Diarmuid Harte Collooney 15-6, 13-15, 15-5
U-13 Singles: Odhran Quinn Castleconnor bt Michael Cahill Castleconnor 15-7, 15-4
U-14 Singles: Brendan Foody Castleconnor dft Jonathon Devaney Ballymote 15-5, 15-5
The following will represent Sligo in the Connacht Juvenile B 40 x 20 championships semi-final v Leitrim on Sunday time & venue to be confirmed.
Girls:
U-12 singles: Rachel Foody Castleconnor
U13 singles: Mary Foody Castleconnor
U14 singles: Aoibhe Barrins Castleconnor
U15 singles: Catronia Swift Castleconnor
Boys
U-12 Singles: Vincent Harte
U-12 Doubles: Diarmuid Harte & Aaron Bruen
U-13 Singles Odhran Quinn
U-13 Doubles: Michael Cahill & Tony Fox
U-14 Singles: Brendan Foody
U14 Boys doubles Sean Carrabine & Johnathon Devaney
U-15 singles: Conor Booth
U-16 Doubles Padraig O’Dowd & Sean Golden
Sligo were represented at last weekend’s GAA Handball Congress in Carrick-on-Shannon by Peter Chambers, Michael McMorrow, Connell Cannon & Hugh McGarry
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Sligo delegates at Congress
Peter Chambers, Hugh McGarry, Michael McMorrow & Connell Cannon Sligo delegates at last weekend's GAA Handball National Congress in Carrick-on-Shannon
President's Award for Peter Heaney
President’s Award for Peter Heaney
Fenagh’s favourite handball son Peter Heaney was presented with the “Gradaim an Uachatarain” President’s Award by Uachtaran Chumann Luthchleas Gael Criostoir O’ Cuana at a special Croke Park banquet on Friday 16th March last, writes Michael McGee.
In total seventeen winners were presented with the 2012 President’s Award. The Award winners came from all strands of the Association representing all codes and disciplines from the wider G.A.A family. The annual winners are honoured as long standing GAA volunteers. Christy Cooney congratulated all the award winners. “We are extremely fortunate as an organisation to be able to call on the voluntary effort of so many, so frequently and this event aims to acknowledge a chosen few on behalf of the wider membership,” said Cooney.
Peter Heaney’s involvement in handball began in 1974 where he was elected Secretary of the Fenagh club. The club went through many lean years and interest subsequently waned. However in 1989 an resurgence began. In July of that year Heaney together with Sean McKeon from Drumshanbo set about repairing the floor in the alley. Soon after the Leitrim Handball Board was set up and Heaney immersed himself on the Board both as Treasurer, Secretary and serving as Chairman from 2009-2012. In 1991 Heaney became Chairman of the Fenagh Handball Club a position he held for over 20 years. The Fenagh man was Leitrim’s delegate on the Connacht Handball Council for 10 years before being elected Connacht Handball Council President on 1st March last.
The dedicated official has work tirelessly for handball in Leitrim. A visionary before his time he set up clubs in Carrigallen, Manorhamilton,Cloone, Gortletteragh but unfortunately these clubs did not last long. Heaney’s best efforts to have handball in the sports complex in Ballinamore fell through due to lack of interest. The same fate happened with the proposed alley in the Bee Park in Manorhamilton. Undeterred the resilient Heaney carried on and began coaching in the Fenagh Club.
Heaney’s endeavour in Fenagh is exceptional. A decade long fundraising project was put in place for the development of the Fenagh Handball Club. His resoluteness, dynamism, energy & can do attitude is incomparable. With Heaney’s hallmark the Fenagh court will be officially opened on the 6th May next. The completion of the Fenagh 60 x 30 Court is testament to Heaney’s unrelenting drive and determination to achieve what looked like an impossible dream.
Coaching is his passion and has coached many Provincial, All-Ireland winners and a World Champion in Donal Wrynn. Heaney has high hopes that Wrynn will again become a World champion in October when Ireland hosts the World Championships.
In an outstanding career in handball administration the role that gave the celebrated official most satisfaction is “coaching children and watch them grow into wonderful adults.” And the newly elected Connacht Handball Council President Heaney wants to see the implementation of the (GAA Handball Strategic plan 2011- 2016) for the future fulfilled and to bring the game into more schools. “Handball has to be in at least 50% of GAA clubs with better promotion of the game on television and in the papers to glamorise our top players.”
Known as Mr. Handball in Leitrim the GAA Handball fraternity are now calling him St. Peter for all the miracles he has worked for handball in his beloved Leitrim. Heaney’s lasting legacy in Leitrim is assured. The affable Fenagh club man will go down in the annals of Leitrim G.A.A Handball as one the County’s finest ever administrators.
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