Galway handballers were in fine form at the 13th The Irish One-Wall Nationals last weekend, claiming a record five titles.
The Galway contingent came away with a record five titles in the event that attracted 250 competitors to Castlebar.
The first of Sunday’s finals was claimed by Galway’s Eimear Ní Bhiadha who saw off the challenge of Leixlip’s Hannah Dagg to secure the girls’ u-12 singles. The county added the u- 14 girls’ singles title in dramatic fashion when Cianna Ni Churraoin beat top seed and reigning title holder Lauren O’Riordan of Roscommon. Having lost out narrowly in last year’s decider, Ni Churraoin prevailed by a single ace in the third game on a 15-4, 6-15, 11-10 scoreline.
Moycullen’s Martin Mulkerrins repeated his All Ireland success in the 40x20 u-16 singles final, overcoming Wicklow’s Keith Kavanagh on an impressive 15-8, 15-3 scoreline.
Both Morgan Darcy (Moycullen ) and Tony McInerney (Salthill ) added masters’ titles. They did so in two all-Galway finals. Darcy beat Seamus O’Fatharta 15-9 15-3 for the diamond title, while one-wall specialist McInerney got the better of Gerard O’Fatharta in three games to secure the emerald title.
Sorcha Ní Bhraonáin defeated Clodagh Nash from Clare to secure the girls’ u-12 plate title on a 20- 14 scoreline.
In the provincial 60x30 championship, Salthill duo Willie Corcoran and Mike O’Shaughnessy chalked up a 21-8, 21-13 win over Sligo duo Michael McMorrow and John McLoughlin in the golden masters B doubles semi-final at Roscommon and now face Mayo in the final. Corcoran would also be fancied to reach the singles final when he takes on James McNulty of Mayo in a deferred semi-final early this week. The eagerly awaited intermediate doubles final between Paul Flynn and Ollie Cassidy of Mayo and Galway duo Ollie Conway and Alan Tierney goes ahead at Williamstown this Sunday at 4pm.
