The young girl handballers of Connacht retained this year’s interprovincial team title at the All-Ireland finals at the weekend.
They comfortably came through the semi-final against a somewhat experimental Ulster team that was competing in the event for the first time, winning by 139 aces to 60 over the five doubles matches to set up a battle against the 2007 title-holders Munster.
The u-13 Galway duo of Shannon Keady and Mary Fahy outclassed Kerry’s Anna Prendiville and Aileen Twomey with a 30 aces to 6 win. Cianna Ni Churraoin of Galway and Caoimhe Shanagher from Roscommon lost their games before Jennifer Fahy and Roisin Conneely turned in a match-winning performance again two of Co Clare’s top young handballers, securing both games for the loss of just eight aces to leave Connacht with hefty 30 aces lead. The Westerners never looked back after that with the Roscommon-Galway partnership of Lauren O’Riordan and Sinead Ní-Ainli completing the victory.
In boys’ college finals, Glenamaddy first year student Enda Connelly, claimed gold, defeatingRoss Taheny of St Mary’s College, Ballisodare, while nrother Cathal also reached the junior singles final when he got the better of Darragh Cunnane from Balla in his semi-final. He now plays Conor Egan of Roscommon in the final at Williamstown on Sunday Seamus O’Conghaile of Colaiste Chroi, An Spideal lost out to Rice College Westport’s Ian McLoughlin in the provincial boys senior singles final.
In other handball news Galway duo Eammon Conneely and Peter Mulryan pulled off another fine victory in the sponsored eircom tournament last week in Clarecastle, beating Fergal Ryan and Seamus Hughes of Dublin over three games in the final. Denis Phelan of Galway and Paddy Buckley reached the A plate final but lost out to Mayo duo Aidan Bell and Jim Sheridan.
Concerns over the worsening weather situation at the weekend meant that the final of the Boys 17 and under US Junior trial between Martin Mulkerrins of Moycullen and Cork’s Killian Carrol fixed for Limerick on Sunday was postponed and is likely to take place this Saturday.
