The provincial juvenile B finals hosted at An Sportlann, Castlebar, on Sunday week last resulted in some very close matches and a few favourable results for Mayo contenders.
While Bofield’s Michael Conlon did lose out in the boys’ u-12 final, the club did not have too long to wait for their first success of the day as the impressive Darren Langan defeated the fancied Ross Walsh of Roscommon in a thrilling boys’ u-13 final on an overall 15-12, 13-15, 15-11 scoreline. Ciaran Maye and Michael Dunleavy from Charlestown lost out to Galway in the boys’ u-13 doubles final while impressive Ballaghaderreen duo Christopher Finn and Dermot Mullaney secured the boys’ u-15 doubles title with a well-deserved 15-6, 15-12 win over Galway. Bofield picked up their second title of the afternoon when Colin and Brendan Conlon beat Tyler and Eric Fatharta of Galway in a marathon final on a 15-12, 15-14 scoreline. Shauna Ruane from Belcarra won the girls’ u-14 title while Laura Gannon from Aughagower was narrowly beaten in the girls’ u-17 decider.
Dessie Keegan made the trip to Tucson, Arizona last week to compete in the WPH Fireball Classic but the Ballaghaderreen man lost out to Dave Fink of the US, while fellow Irish raider Eoin Kennedy from Dublin chalked up a number of fine victories to reach the final, only to lose out to Dave Chapman in two games.
A level one coaching course had been organised for handball coaches in the province and commences this Saturday at Claremorris. A limited number of places are still available and those interested should contact their county secretary or course tutor, Joe McCann, as soon as possible. The course which runs for three Saturdays in April and May, will be of enormous benefit to all those involved or considering involvement in handball coaching of juveniles at club level.
