Moycullen's Martin Mulkerrins has won handball's 2019 Tuscon Memorial Tournament in Arizona, USA.
Up against a field of American and Mexican professionals, Mulkerrins produced a dominant performance in the final to defeat the much fancied and decorated American, Sean Lenning, in two straight sets, 15-9, 15-6.
The American pro had no answer to Mulkerrins' power serving and precision kills, and the Galway man claimed the title - the first Tribesman and Connacht man to win a ProStop tournament.
Lenning and Mulkerrins had split their four head-to-head encounters since their first matchup in 2013, with Lenning winning their R48 clashes and Mulkerrins winning their matches at the USHA Nationals.
Mulkerrins played patiently in the opening stages of game one, extending rallies and forcing Lenning to hit 10 or more shots in the majority of rallies. He then opened up his game, taking a 10-3 lead with laser serves and kills. Lenning cut the deficit to 9-10 with a brilliant streak of aces and kills, but Mulkerrins slammed the door shut with five consecutive points, and dominated game two from the outset to become the second qualifier (Brady ) to win a R48 event.
“We watched the tape of my matches in Atlanta and I made the corrections,” stated Mulkerrins. “I needed to serve better and take my chances and I was able to do that. I am just delighted with the result.”
There was disappointment for Ciana Ni Churraoin who lost the ladies' final to Cork's Caitriona Casey.
