Connacht Juvenile B U-16 doubles title for Noel McLoughlin & Shane Wright

Noel McLouglin & Shane Wright Connacht Juvenile B U-16 doubles champions for 2011

Congratulations to Castleconnor's Aoife Quinn member of the Connacht Girls team of 10 that beat Ulster in the Interprovincial final in Kilkenny recently. Aoife is pictured in the front row on extreme right. Also included in Tony Hannon Irish Handball President back row along with Francis Curran team manager back row on extreme right.



Castleconnor's McLouglin & Wright bring back Connacht Handball doubles title back to Sligo

Aoife Quinn Interprovincial title with Connacht



In the last games of the 2011 40 x 20 Juvenile handball season it was left to Castleconnor's Noel McLoughlin & Shane Wright to finally bring back Connacht gold to Sligo and the duo did not disappoint. In Castlebar yesterday the Sligo players playing in the Boys U-16 doubles final with their final opponents Stephen Regan & Ross Melvin coming form Roscommon. In a great final McLoughlin & Wright were composed throughout and with some great finishing held firm despite a spirited comeback from the Roscommon players to record a fully deserved 21-5, 21-14 victory. It was Sligo first Connacht Juvenile B title of the year.

It was a season of mixed fortunes for the young Sligo players Castleconnor’s Marianna Foody & Aoife Quinn representing Convent of Mercy Ballina won the Connacht Colleges 40 x 20 1st year girls doubles and the same duo won the Connacht Girls U-15 A doubles final but were beaten by Clare’s Natasha Coughlin & Michelle Nihill in Invirin in the Girls U-15 All-Ireland doubles semi-final.


Aoife Quinn played her part on the Girls (Connacht) Interprovincial team of 10 that beat Ulster in the final by 101-50 two weeks ago in O'Loughlin's Kilkenny.

The Boys U16/17 of Tommy Trill, Jason Earlis, Barry McLoughlin, Stanley Harte and Sub Alan Gilmartin beat Galway in the final of the Connacht U16/17 team final played in Williamstown by 60-42. However Sligo's "famous five" went down to Tipperary in the semi-final and the Munster champions went on to win the All-Ireland final.

Perhaps the most remarkable achievement by a Sligo Juvenile player this year came when 14 y.o Barry McLoughlin from the Castleconnor Club teamed up with Ballymote's Francis McCann to win the Annual Gerard Jones Memorial doubles tournament in Castleconnor last January with a display of outstanding handball.

World Handball Championships moved to October 2012

World Handball Championships moved to October 2012

Following extensive meetings and, in conjunction with the World Handball Council, a decision has been made as follows:


In light of issues and delays surrounding the preparations for the World Handball Championships in 2012 in Ireland, it has been decided to put back the date for the hosting of this hugely prestigious event in Ireland. This is in light of major work to be carried out in preparation for the event and now that the proposed new National Handball Centre in Croke Park has been ruled out to being ready in time to host this event.


It has already been passed and approved by GAA Handball Ireland Central Council that the World Championships will be hosted in conjunction with the Ulster GAA Council in Ulster Venues (with the use of North Leinster venues if required). Full details on venues will be released by end of May 2011.


This is a World Handball Council sanctioned event and, following discussion and authority by the World Handball Council Executive, it has been agreed to amend the date for the World Handball Championships (both 40x20 and 1-Wall) to a new date as follows:


World Handball Championships in Ireland 2012

(4-Wall 40x20 & 1-Wall)

Commencing Thursday 4th October 2012 and concluding by Sunday 14th

October 2012.

Castleconnor A Sligo Handball 40 x 20 League champions for 2011

Castleconnor 2011 Sligo League handball champions from left to right: Michael Browne, Joe Gorman,Padraig Maye, Michael McMorrow Sligo Handball Chairman, Larry Jones & Mark Murphy


Castleconnor A team gain league honours in Sligo Handball league final


Castleconnor A shocked Sligo I.T to claim the 2011 40 x 20 league title following their 78-74 success over the students played in Castleconnor last evening. Sligo I.T. who remained unbeaten up to the final found the Castleconnor A team up for the test. Sligo I.T. was forced to line out without their talisman player Christopher McKenna. McKenna was replaced by Newport’s man Noel McLoughlin.
The 1st doubles match was very even with Castleconnor’s Mark Murphy & Larry Jones taking on Barry McGuirk & Aimee Corrigan. At the end the Students held a slender 39-36 advantage. Castleconnor’s 2nd doubles pairing of Michael Browne & Joe Gorman immediately set about overturning the students lead. The duo were rewarded when playing some cracking handball in front of their fervent supporters, on their way to an 21-19, 21-16 success over the I.T.’s Noel McLoughlin & Aoife McDonagh. Browne & Gorman’s greater resilience proved just enough for the Castleconnor team to record an 78-74 win.
Afterwards Sligo Handball Chairman Michael McMorrow presented the winners and runners-up with their trophies.

Best of luck to Tommy Trill, Stanley Harte, Alan Gilmartin, Barry McLoughlin & Jason Earlis in All-Ireland U16/17 team semi-final

Saturday 23rd April 2011, in Kingscourt, Cavan
Semi-Finals: Ulster v Leinster, Munster v Connacht

12.30pm, Ct 2: SF2: Tommy Trill, Stanley Harte, Barry McLoughlin, Alan Gilmartin, Jason Earlis Sligo v Stephen Moroney, Jason Cahill, Marcus Troy, Jack Jones (Tipperary)

Semi-Finals: Ulster v Leinster, Munster v Connacht
12.30pm, Ct4: SF1: Kilkenny (Ollie Falsey, Fergal Lalor, Eoin Doyle, Ronan Egan, Johnny Mulholland) v Tyrone (Chrissy Gillen, Eoin Mullan, Mattie McSorley & Pearse Grimes)


Final to follow

Disappointment for Paddy Walsh in All-Ireland final

All-Ireland handball championships 40 x 20 final
Ruby Masters Singles: Paddy Walsh (Sligo) lost to Seamus Graham (Antrim) 7-21, 2-21.

Disappointment for Walsh in final
Sligo’s Paddy Walsh suffered a heavy defeat in the final of the Ruby Masters Singles final in Abbeylara on Sunday last. Walsh couldn’t unhinge Graham who used the spin serve to telling effect. Graham opened up an 7-2 lead in game one but Walsh fought back to only 7-6 behind. It didn’t get any better for the Sligo player as Graham who perfected the spin serve from the legendary Clare man Pat Kirby opened up a sizeable lead and Walsh was powerless to respond. Graham went on to the take game 1 by 21-7 and the second impressively by 21-2. Walsh will now turn his thought to the forthcoming 60 x 30 season where normally the Sligo players fare better.

Saturday 16th April in Nenagh Tipperary at 5 p.m.
Diamond Masters A doubles final
Seamus Duffy & Pat O’Sullivan (Sligo) v Ned Buggy & Gareth Somers (Wexford)
The doubles pairing of Seamus Duffy & Pat O’Sullivan travel to Nenagh to take on Wexford duo of Ned Buggy & Gareth Somers. Duffy & O’Sullivan’s semi-final match did not materialise owing to an injury to one of their opponents. Duffy & O’Sullivan already the holders of 2 All-Ireland titles had a fantastic Connacht final win when getting the better of Roscommon’s Noel Raftery & Seamus McHugh by 21-20, 21-12. The duo will have to produce something like their best form if they are to become treble All-Ireland champions in the space of 5 years

Connacht Juvenile U16/17 team final
Tommy Trill, Jason Earlis, Barry McLoughlin, Stanley Harte . Sub Alan Gilmartin beat Galway 60-43

Paddy Walsh runner-up Ruby Masters singles final with the winner Antrim's Seamus Graham

Walsh wizardry to win All-Ireland - Duffy & O'Sullivan aiming for doubles final

All-Ireland Handball 40 x 20 championships finals
Sunday 10th April in Abbeylara Longford at 2 p..m
Ruby Masters Singles final: Paddy Walsh (Sligo) v Seamus Graham (Antrim)
Walsh’s wizardry enough to secure another All-Ireland handball title
Sligo handball star Paddy Walsh is just one step away from recording his 29th All-Ireland handball title in an illustrious sporting career when he takes on Antrim’s Seamus Graham in the Ruby Masters Singles final in Abbeylara next Sunday, writes Michael McGee.
The St. Mary’s club man has been in great form this year and has played to a consistently high standard in all matches. Walsh was taken to a tie break 3rd game in his Connacht final win over Galway Padraic O’Fatharta before running out a comfortable winner in the end. In his semi-final Walsh found himself behind in both games against Cork’s Tony Buckley before recovering well and stamping his authority on another solid performance. Walsh has weaved his magic in games this season with some sparkling perfromances just at the right time. His undoubted willpower in the handball courts is always visible when he plays and he will give it everything in the Sligo colours. A large following from Sligo clubs is expected to travel to the Longford venue in what promises to be gripping finale. Walsh’s opponent Seamus Graham had an 21-15, 21-15 win over Dublin’s Eddie Flynn in the semi-final. Walsh is also the holder of 6 County senior GAA Championships medals. Walsh’s greater determination and with the expected large support behind him from Sligo should be enough for the Yeat’s County man to secure another astonishing achievement in an outstanding sporting career.
Path to the final
Connacht Semi-final: Paddy Walsh (Sligo) bt John Kenny (Mayo) 21-7, 21-11
Connacht Final: Paddy Walsh bt Padraic O’ Fatharta (Galway) 11-21, 21-3, 21-2
All-Ireland Semi-final: Walsh bt Tony Buckley (Cork) 21-17, 21-15
All-Ireland Handball 40 x 20 championships semi-finals
Saturday April 9th in St. Mary’s at 2 p.m.
Sligo doubles pair to rumble Cork in semi-final
Diamond Masters A Doubles: Seamus Duffy & Pat O’Sullivan (Sligo) v Dan O’ Brien & Mick Jordan (Cork)
The Diamond Masters pairing of Seamus Duffy & Pat O’Sullivan are attempting to reach this year’s doubles final. Already the duo are the holders of 2 All-Ireland doubles titles having won the Emerald Masters B 60 x 30 doubles in 2006 and followed this up two years later winning the 40 x 20 equivalent. The Sligo men had a stunning comeback in the Connacht final winning an exciting Provincial decider by 21-20, 21-12 over Roscommon’s Noel Raftery & Seamus McHugh. The duo have forged a great partnership in recent years. The weekend’s battle with the Cork men will provide a stern test for the Sligo players. Duffy & O’Sullivan will have benefited from a tough Connacht final battle and it may be just enough for the Yeats County men go on and reach their 3rd All-Ireland final appearance in 5 years.

Sligo Handball leagues
Castleconnor A bt Ballymote 67- 56. Castleconnor team Joe Gorman, Padraig Maye, Mark Murphy & Larry Jones
St. Mary’s v Castleconnor B

Upcoming fixtures in league
Castleconnor B v Ballymote Wednesday 6th April in Castleconnor
at 8 p.m.

Round 7 - Sligo IT a bye

Ballymote v Drumcliff Monday 11th April in St. Mary’s at 9 p.m.
Castleconnor A v Castleconnor B Monday 11th April in Castleconnor at 8 p.m.
Collooney v St. Mary’s Wednesday 13th April in St. Mary’s at 8 p.m.

Interesting handball blogs

http://www.nicknormal.com/normalblog/2011/03/27/a-thing-or-two-about-irish-handball-courts/


http://www.irishhandballalley.com/