Galway’s young handballers won seven out of eight finals at the recent 40x20 provincial finals hosted by St Mary’s College.
Michael Breathnach’s Cian Ó'Conghaile, who with Eimear Ní Bhiadha won an historic Comórtas Gael Linn National u-13 mixed doubles title the previous day, claimed the provincial boys u-12 singles title. Nathan Feeney and Stephen Raftery won the doubles, Desmond Conneely won the u-13 singles, and Daniel Lydon and James Dempsey added the doubles.
Ronán Ó Beoláin needed three games to get the better of a game Darren Langan from Mayo in the u-14 final, while Darragh Mulkerrins was a comfortable u-15 winner.
Galway’s final title was won in the u-15 doubles duo where John Lalor and Shane Richardson beat Mayo duo Conor Burke and Cormac Moran in two games. Colm MacDonacha from Inis Mór put in a fighting display before losing out in the boys u-17 final.
Heather Spellman from Williamstown came from a game down against Knock youngster Jade Henry in the u-12 singles, while Anna Ní Odhrain Ní Mhurchú and Sinead Ní Mhaoláin won the u-13 doubles. Galway’s Ciana Ni Churraoin won the girls’u-16 decider, securing the opening game by a single ace and the second by 21-13.
In the adult championship over the weekend with Padraic O Conghaile and Padraic O Fatharta lost out to Mayo in the ruby masters final, while silver masters A doubles duo, JJ Farragher and Martin Forde, lost to Martin Vahey and John Staunton of Mayo in an epic two-hour final at Lisacul. Galway handball secretary Morgan Duggan did just enough to see off Michael Ginley of Mayo in the men’s over 35s singles final by 14-21, 21-16, 21-15.
