Search Results for 'GAA Handball'

Moycullen handball club is on the crest of a wave. It is a little over a month since Martin Mulkerrins triumphantly returned home from Minneapolis as the World champion in the 40x20 court, the first Galway man and only the third Irish man to crowned World Number One.

More than 400 players are fine-tuning their preparations for this weekend’s GAA Handball One-Wall Nationals at Breaffy House, Castlebar. Three time champion Charlie Shanks returns as top seed in the EDTL Handball Men’s Open having missed the last few tournaments due to his hiatus in New York, while Robbie McCarthy returns after missing last year’s event. McCarthy will replace four time World 40x20 Champion Paul Brady in the men’s open draw after the Cavan man had to withdraw through injury. But McCarthy is a classy replacement and is on the verge of making history. A three time champion himself, Mullingar’s McCarthy will bid to be the first man to hold the All-Ireland Senior 40x20 Title, All-Ireland Senior 60x30 Title, and Irish Men’s Open One-Wall Nationals Title all at the same time, which would be a truly remarkable achievement.

Two Galway players have secured their places on the Irish handball team for the upcoming World Championship.

Ciana Ní Churraoin from Cumann Liathróid Laimhe Micheal Breathnach Indreabhán capped off a brilliant year in handball when she was awarded the National GAA Handball All Star young player of the year for the second year in succession for her outstanding contribution to the sport.

Kilkenny handball legend Michael ‘Ducksy’ Walsh bowed out of the All-Ireland 60x30 Senior Singles championships when he lost to Westmeath young-gun, Robbie McCarthy 21-11, 21-19 following a weekend of exciting GAA handball action.

When Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy takes to the court against Kilkenny legend, Michael ‘Ducksy’ Walsh on Saturday next, any hero worshipping will be left outside the alley.

Ballaghaderreen claimed their fifth successive All-Ireland senior 40x20 club title at the expense of a game Coolboy of Wicklow at Abbeylara on Sunday last. Dessie Keegan opened for the Mayo side where he once again faced an in-form Michael Gregan. The Wicklow ace made life very difficult for the Mayo powerhouse in the first game, which he won comfortably 21 aces to seven. Keegan, at this stage a veteran of these team encounters, responded well in the second, which suffered a five minute delay due to a wet court, as he made his Wicklow opponent work much harder for each ace. Keegan took this game 21 aces to 15 to leave the Mayo side trailing by eight aces going into the doubles. Vincent Moran and Paul Flynn put in a fine performance to secure a good 21 aces to 12 win in the first game against Coolboy’s Pat Quaile and Michael Lennon. The second was a much closer affair which the Ballagh duo just won by a singles ace. With this slender advantage it was all up to Joe McCann who took on Johnny Willoughby in the final match of the afternoon. McCann was made to work very hard against a much-improved Willoughby and he did just that, winning the first game 21 aces to 17. This still left McCann needing 16 aces for victory in the final game of the evening. McCann kept a cool head and achieved the target at 16-14 to give Ballaghaderreen the well deserved victory. Much credit must go to the Coolboy lads who certainly pushed the Mayo champions all the way but overall Ballagh had the better balanced team on the day.