Connacht Juvenile 40 x 20 finals Sunday

Sligo could be involved in 2 Connacht finals at the weekend with the Boys U-17 doubles pairing of Stanley Harte & Barry McLoughlin  or Galway v Mayo  and in the Girls U-17 singles should Aoife Quinn advance she will meet Adhna Ni Bhraonain Galway in the final

Connacht Juvenile A 40x20 Finals 2013

At Castlebar on Sunday 3^rd. March at 11:00am

Boys Court I U17D Stanley Harte, Barry McLoughlin (Sligo) OR Ben Murray & Ronan Keane (Galway) V Conor Burke& Cormac Moran, Mayo

Girls Court II

U17S Aoife Quinn  or  Caoimhe Shanagher v Adhna Ni Bhraonain

 

McMorrow & McGarry are Connacht handball champions

Michael McMorrow & Hugh McGarry crowned Connacht Emerald Masters B doubles 40 x 20  Champions

Success for McMorrow & McGarry in Connacht handball final
On the last weekend in the Connacht handball 40 x 20 championships Sligo finally won a provincial title, writes Michael McGee

Sligo handballers finally won a Connacht handball title as last Saturday in Lisacul the County’s Emerald Masters B doubles pairing of Michael McMorrow & Hugh McGarry overcame Mayo’s Columba O’Halloran & Peter Ferrick in a tense final. It took a supreme effort from the Sligo men after losing the opening game by 21-13 15-10 down in the second. After taking a time out McMorrow & McGarry stormed back into contention with some excellent passages of play and with a gritty display drew level at 15-15. Mayo took the lead again but it was shortlived as the momentum was with Sligo. McMorrow & McGarry rallied again and this time the duo hit the remaining six points to bring the Connacht final to a tie breaker. The St. Mary’s/ Collooney combination weathered the storm and began to play some stunning handball in the final game. McMorrow & McGarry racked up scores quickly as Mayo’s early challenge fell away. In the end the Sligo men raced away to record a runaway victory by 21-8. McMorrow & McGarry will now face Leinster champions in Carlow’s Eamon Sunderland & Mick Doyle in two weeks time

Sligo prospects of a second Connacht doubles title was dashed with the Golden Masters A doubles of Francis McCann & Martin Golden losing out to Roscommon’s Ger Walsh & Dermot Doolin by 15-21, 15-21


Connacht handball 40 x 20 championships finals

Emerald Masters B doubles: Mick McMorrow & Hugh McGarry dft Columba O’ Halloran & Peter Ferrick (Mayo) 13-21, 21-16, 21-8.

Golden Masters A doubles: Francis McCann & Martin Golden (Sligo) lost to Ger Walsh & Dermot Doolin 15-21, 15-21.

Junior C doubles: Gerry Coleman & Michael Bruen lost to Vinnny McLoughlin& Sean Sweeney (Mayo) 13-21, 13-21

Connacht Juvenile A 40 x 20 championships semi-finals
Girls U-14 singles: Mary Foody (Sligo) lost to Adrianne Mullen (Galway) 10-15, 7-15
Boys U-17 singles: Patrick Fox (Sligo) lost to John Lalor (Galway

The Sligo Handball Board passed votes of Sympathy with Tom Foody, Micheal & Larry Jones Castleconnor Handball Club on the death of Mary Ann Murphy and to Patrick Fox Collooney on the death of his grandfather Frank Fox.

The Co. Handball Club monthly meeting was cancelled as a mark of respect to the deceased.

Mary Ann Murphy R.I.P.

The death has occurred of Mary Ann MURPHY, (née Hannon) of Glann, Culleens, Sligo

Grandmother of Tom Foody & Mother in Law of Larry Jones Castleconnor. Peacefully, in her 98th year. Reposing at McGowan's Funeral Home, Ballina this Monday evening from 5pm with removal at 7pm to the Church of the Holy Family, Kilglass arriving at 7.30pm. Mass on Tuesday morning at 11am with burial afterwards in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Kilglass. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Sligo Palliative Care. The Sligo Handball Board expressed sympathy to Tom Foody & Larry Jones Castleconnor Club on the death of Mary Ann Murphy.  The monthly meeting of the Sligo handball board was cancelled as a mark of respect. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilís

Sligo handballers suffer defeats in Connacht finals

Mick McMorrow & Hugh McGarry contesting the Connacht Emerald Masters B doubles final at the weekend

Sligo handballers suffer defeats in Connacht finals

The County’s handballers are still waiting for their first Connacht handball title of the year following Connacht finals last weekend, writes Michael McGee

It was a black weekend in Sligo handball with the County’s handball players losing 3 titles. On Saturday Martin Golden in the Golden Masters B singles lost out to Mayo’s Tom Byrne.  Byrne from the Kiltimagh club was superior in all areas. Golden tried everything to get back into the contest but Byrne’s greater skills won the day.  Golden’s club mate Francis McCann had an agonizing 1 point defeat to Roscommon’s Ger Walsh in the Golden Masters A singles decider. St. Coman’s hosted 2 games on Sunday Shane Bruen in the Masters B singles fell to Mayo’s Michael Ginley in a great contest that went to a tie breaker. In a thrilling finale it was Ginley that finished the stronger. In the other tie involving Sligo, Mick McMorrow in the Emerald Masters B singles staged a lazarous style recovery that almost seen him past the finishing line.  McMorrow only got 2 points in the first game against Mayo’s Columba O’Halloran. In a great battling performance McMorrow hit back immediately in the second game taking it by 21-19.  And in tremendous tussle in the tie break the Sligo man threw everything he had into it. However victory was cruelly snatched from the St. Mary’s club man as he was just edged out 21-20 in the tie break having led 20-18.

Results:

Connacht handball championships 40 x 20 finals
Golden Masters A singles: Francis McCann lost to Ger Walsh (Roscommon) 21-10, 13-21, 20-21
Golden Masters B singles:  Martin Golden lost to Tom Byrne (Mayo) 5-21, 6-21
Masters B singles:  Shane Bruen lost to Michael Ginley (Mayo) 21-18, 13-21, 15-21
Emerald Masters B singles:  Mick McMorrow lost to Columba O’ Halloran (Mayo) 2-21, 21-19, 21-20

 Sligo doubles pairings to fare better

Sligo doubles pairings will be hoping for better fortunes at the weekend with 3 more Connacht titles up for grabs. The Junior C pairing of Gerry Coleman & Michael Bruen are in their 2^nd Connacht final in a row. In their semi-final outing the duo defeated Roscommon’s Rikki O’ Grady & Ronan Galvin in straight games.  Bruen & Coleman have been knocking on the door for the past few seasons without gaining success. This season the breakthrough may come after years of coming close in Connacht.

Francis McCann & Martin Golden go into the provincial decider without having forced to hit a ball while their opponents Ger Walsh & Dermot Doolin defeated Mayo’s Martin Vahey & John Staunton in their semi-final contest.  McCann will be hurting having lost the Golden Masters A singles decider to his opponent at the weekend Ger Walsh by just 1 point after three arduous games.  The resilient McCann will be all the more determined this time round to put matters right. Golden like McCann will be reeling from the singles loss and with their expected greater teamwork it may be enough to claim the Connacht title.

The new combination of Mick  McMorrow & Hugh McGarry have made a winning start  together following their victory over Galway’s Pierce Lalor & Padraig Kelly in their semi-final. McMorrow has worked hard this season. McGarry is an out and out 60 x 30 player but has made the change to the smaller court effortlessly. McMorrow won his solitary All-Ireland doubles title in 2011 winning the 60 x 30 Emerald Masters B doubles final with Collooney’s John McLoughlin.  McGarry an able doubles partner for the St. Mary’s club man will give nothing away easily.  Their opponents will be Mayo duo of Columba O’ Halloran & Philip Feerick. The Sligo men will be buoyed up with their semi-final win and another battling performance should see them claim the Connacht title.

Connacht handball 40 x 20 championships finals

Saturday February 23rd in Lisacul at 

Junior C doubles: Gerry Coleman & Michael Bruen v v Vinnny McLoughlin& Sean Sweeney (Mayo)

Emerald Masters B doubles: Mick McMorrow & Hugh McGarry v Columba O’ Halloran & Peter Ferrick (Mayo)


Sunday February 24th in Ballaghadeereen at 3 p.m

Golden Masters A doubles: Francis McCann & Martin Golden (Sligo) v Ger Walsh & Dermot Doolin

Junior C doubles: Gerry Coleman & Michael Bruen  v v Vinnny McLoughlin & Sean Sweeney (Mayo)

Golden Masters A doubles: Francis McCann & Martin Golden (Sligo) v Ger Walsh & Dermot Doolin

Emerald Masters B doubles: Mick McMorrow & Hugh McGarry v Columba O’ Halloran & Peter Ferrick (Mayo)

McMorrow & McGarry into Connacht final

McMorrow & McGarry reach Connacht final

Sligo handball pairing of Mick McMorrow & Hugh McGarry have qualified for this years Connacht handball 40 x 20 championships following their straight sets victory over Galway’s Padraig Kelly & Pierce Lalor played in Moycullen last night Wednesday. McMorrow & McGarry will now play Mayo’s Columba O’ Halloran & Philip Feerick in the Emerald Masters B doubles final in 2 weeks time.
Elsewhere in the Golden Masters A singles Connacht final Ballymote’s Francis McCann had an agonizing 1 point defeat to Roscommon’s Ger Walsh. McCann the reigning champion just fell short after 3 absorbing games. Mc Cann will now turn his thought to the doubles where he and club mate Martin Golden will play Roscommon’s Ger Walsh & Dermot Doolin.
In the Silver Masters B doubles Martin Cooney & Tom Foody fell to Galway’s Prionsias Maughan & J.J. McDonagh in a tie breaker. The Galway pairing took the opening game but Cooney & Foody struck back immediately thus forcing the tie break. However the Sligo men push for the final fell short as they were beaten by 21-11 in the final game.


(played last night Wednesday in Moycullen)
Emerald Masters B doubles semi-final: Mick McMorrow & Hugh McGarry defeated Padraig Kelly & Pierce Lalor (Galway) 21-16, 21-10

Played Tuesday evening in Ballaghaderrin
Connacht handball 40 x 20 championships Golden Masters A singles final: Francis McCann (Sligo) lost to Ger Walsh (Roscommon) 21-10, 13-21, 20-21
Played Tuesday evening in Moycullen
Silver Masters B doubles semi-final: Martin Cooney & Tom Foody (Sligo) lost to Prionsias Maughan & J.J. McDonagh (Galway) 5-21, 21-18, 11-21

Sligo players aiming for Connacht gold

The trio of Shane Bruen, Martin Golden & Mick McMorrow, are endeavouring to bring back three Connacht handball singles to Sligo at the weekend, writes Michael McGee

St. Coman’s handball club in Roscommon is the venue for Sligo players as they go in search of Connacht titles. Shane Bruen who caused a sensational semi-final result when he knocked out Galway’s Morgan Duggan the runner up in last year’s World Masters B singles final will go into the weekend’s tie with a great deal of confidence. Bruen will face Mayo’s Michael Ginley in the provincial decider. Ginley from the near Bofield club will provide a stern test for Bruen. Ginley had an impressive semi-final victory over Roscommon’s Martin Conroy. Bruen has been doing well in training and will be hopeful of victory. A repeat performance of his semi-final win will ensure a winners Connacht medal for the Collooney club man.

Martin Golden qualified for the Golden Masters B final with an 13-21, 21-10, 21-3 victory over Galway’s Willie Corcoran. Golden was narrowly beaten in last year’s Connacht final and will be all the more determined to bring the Connacht title back to Ballymote this time round. Golden who started slowly against Corcoran in the semi-final finished strongly after three competitive games and his great fitness could again come into play against the Mayo’s Tom Byrne

Mick McMorrow from the St. Mary’s club comes face to face with Mayo’s Michael Conlon in the Emerald Masters B singles. McMorrow had an impressive straight sets victory over Galway’s Pierce Lalor in the semi-final will be keen to gain provincial hounours to that of his solitary All-Ireland handball title he won in 2011. The big man with an even bigger heart has the confidence to clinch Connacht gold.

Saturday 16th February in St. Mary's at 8 p.m.
Golden Masters B singles: Martin Golden (Sligo) v Tom Byrne (Mayo)

Sunday 17th February in St. Coman's at 3 pm
Masters B singles: Shane Bruen (Sligo) v Michael Ginley (Mayo)
Emerald Masters B doubles: Mick McMorrow (Sligo) v Michael Conlon (Mayo)

Sligo's Paddy Walsh recd a walover from Roscommon's Mick Naughton in the Over 70's Connacht final

Castleconnor host successful Cumann na mBunscoil handball finals

The  Castleconnor handball club hosted the Cumann na mBunscol competitions on February 10th last.  All counties in Connacht was represented. Overall there was 44  players from U-11 to U-13 girls & boys taking part in Singles & doubles.

The results are as follows:

Girls’ U11 Singles:

1^st Ailbhe Bhreathnach, Scoil Éinne, An Spidéal, Galway.

2^nd Shauna Clogher, Mt. Talbot NS, Roscommon.

3^rd Cuilinn Burke, Holy Angels’ NS, Mayo.

Girls’ U11 Doubles:

1^st Sadhbh Ní Fhlaithearta & Orlaith Ní Churraoin, Scoil Éinne, An Spidéal, Galway.

2^nd Aisling & Siobhán Treacy, Mt. Talbot NS, Roscommon.

3^rd Ruth Tuffy & Therese Garry, Holy Angels’NS, Sligo.

Boys’ U11 Singles:

1^st Niall Fleming, Cloonlyon NS, Mayo.

2^nd Mikey Kelly, Athenry BNS, Galway

3^rd Liam Egan, Kilteevan NS, Roscommon

Boys’ U11 Doubles:

1^st Fergal McLoughlin & Cormac Scollan, Fenagh NS, Leitrim.

2^nd Seán Dunleavy & Jack Corley, Cloonlyon NS, Mayo.

3^rd Enda Collins & James Cummins, Carnmore, Galway.

Girls’ U13 Singles:

1^st Róisín Ní Ghionnáin, Scoil Sailearna, Indreabhán, Galway.

2^nd Cora Conlon, Bofield NS, Mayo.

3^rd Rachel Foody, StockaneNS, Sligo

Girls’ U13 Doubles:

1^st Lara Shannon & Lisa Ruane, Kiltimagh NS, Mayo.

2^nd Sophie Smith & Kelly Curran, Annaghdown, Galway.

Boys’ U13 Singles:

1^st Éanna Wood, St. Patrick’s BNS, Galway

2^nd Diarmaid Treacy, Mt.Talbot NS, Roscommon.

3^rd Thomas Reynolds, Belcarra NS, Mayo.

Boys’ U13 Doubles:

1^st Dylan Hanley & Gareth Delaney, Abbey NS, Roscommon

2^nd Rory Cullen & Michael Durkan, Cloonlyon NS, Mayo

3^rd John Ó Biadh & Seán Ó Conghaile, Scoil Sailearna, Indreabhán, Galway

The winners will travel to Kingscourt Boys (March 2nd) &  Girls March 23rd) on National handball day.

 

The following were thanked  Oisín Quinn and the Castleconnor Handball Club for providing refreshments  throughout the day. Francis Curran, Pierce Lalor, Richard Quinn Jewellers of Dominick Street who sponsored the trophies and Mary Curley of Connacht Cumann na mbunscol for sponsorship

 

 (With thanks to Oisin Quinn)

 

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Fox through to Connacht Juvenile handball championships semi-finals

 

Collooney Patrick Fox qualified for the Connacht Juvenile 40 x20 championiships semi-finals following a good 21-11, 21-16 victory over Leitrim's Alan Scollan.

 

In the Cumann na mbunscoil the Harte brothers Oisin (singles) & Vincent & Diarmuid Harte (doubles) lost to Mayo opponents.