Mayo's Ollie Cassidy and Paul Flynn lost out on a place in the all-Ireland intermediate doubles semi-final on Sunday last as they went down in two games to Kilkenny duo Timmy and David Clifford. The Swinford/Ballaghaderreen duo got off to a bad start in the opening game and lost is 21 aces to 10. It was a different story in the second as the Mayo duo really got stuck in and, playing some great handball coupled with top class serving, they led 16 aces to 8 at one stage. However try as they might they simply could not finish off this game and despite serving out game ball at 20 aces to 19 they lost the second by a single ace 21-20 and with it their hopes of a tilt at the title in three weeks’ time. However much credit must go to Cassidy who put the heartbreak of his father’s death just nine days ago behind him, to turn in a fine performance on the day.
Elsewhere the Castlebar club hosted a number of all-Ireland semi-finals over the weekend with mixed results. Ian McLoughlin was beaten in the u21 semi-final by Ciaran Neary from Kilkenny at Castlebar, while Matt Coady and Seamus Clare were also beaten in their Diamond masters semi-final played at Talbots Inch. Kevin Geraghty and Martin Cronin were also out of luck as they went down 15-21, 21-16, 21-9 to Johnny Brennan and Joe Hennessy in a thrilling match. However it was another good weekend for popular Ballinrobe handballer Frank Macken, who teamed up successfully with Claremorris club man Aidan Bell. They accounted for Wexford duo Miley Byrne and Adrian Synott in two games in the all-Ireland golden masters B doubles semi-final on a 21-15, 21-2 scoreline.
Jason Judge and Michael Ginley made the long trip to Castlebridge in Wexford on Sunday last but they lost out to Gavin Buggy and John Roach in the men's over 35 doubles semi-final. Roscommon's Mark Nally and Cian Connolly did pull of a great win in the all-Ireland minor doubles semi-final at the same venue beating the Leinster champions in three games.
Williamstown and Roscommon hosted a number of all-Ireland juvenile semi-finals on Saturday last, and Swinford’s Martin Maughan gave the home crowd much to cheer in the open match at the Galway venue. Having his first major outing at this level, the talented left-hander showed great courage and determination to put the narrow loss of the opening game against Dublin’s Naoise Green behind him to win the second and survive a few anxious moments in the deciding third to clinch the victory on an overall 18-21, 21-10, 11-7 scoreline. Killala duo Nathan Massy and Alan Kelly lost out to Wexford in the boys’ u15 doubles semi-final at Castlebar on Sunday last. The weekend after sees Mayo ladies Pauline Gallagher and Amy Corrigan contest their first all-Ireland senior ladies’ final as they take on Kerry duo Ashley Prendiville and Maria Daly at Thurles.
