Moycullen's Martin Mulkerrins sealed his third R48 Portland Classic in a row as he secured victory over Ray Ure on Sunday, October 6.
The number one seed entered the 2024 Portland Classic final aiming to extend several streaks, as he had won four consecutive Race (R48 ) events and two consecutive Portland Classics.
His opponent, 22-year-old Ray Ure, became the youngest finalist in R48 history when he unexpectedly defeated Lucho Cordova in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Mulkerrins totally dominated proceeding with precision handball and on a 15-3, 15-7 score-line went on to win his eleventh R48 title, fifth R48 title in a row, and third R48 Portland Classic in a row. The Moycullen ace now joins Brady and Carroll as the only players to reach five consecutive R48 finals.
“It's unbelievable to see these young guys,” Mulkerrins told ESPN’s Kara Mack in reference to Ure, Mark Doyle, Ivan Burgos, and others. “It’s really freshened it up and put everyone in jeopardy. Portland is the first place I ever came to in America, in 2009 and I love it here.”
Mulkerrins will be returning to Ireland in a few weeks' time to defend his Men's Open title at the World Handball Championships in Croke Park, October 26 to November 3.
