Hospital Handball Club attract star line up for Danny O’Sullivan Memorial Tournament – 21/22 June

Following its revival last year in a senior doubles format, the cream of Irelands’ crop return once more to the South Limerick region ready to lock horns once again for the Danny O’Sullivan Memorial Cup. Famous names of the game like Duxie Walsh, Kenneth Kane, Tony Healy, Eoin Kennedy and more have graced the Hospital 60x30 court in the past in pursuit of this coveted trophy. Again this years line up has not failed to impress with no fewer than 5 current and former senior champions on show with over 20 senior medals to their names. Throw into the mix the reigning Intermediate doubles (Eddie Burke & Mike Clifford) and singles (Paul Mullins - playing with David Moloney) champions, and a great tournament is in the making.

Eoin Kennedy will be hoping to retain the title he won last year, while the return of one Kenneth Kane to competitive handball is sure to be a major talking point among the handball fraternity in the coming weeks. Kennedy teams up with Robbie McCarthy jnr this year while Kane will form a formidable partnership with Mike Finnegan. Crowd favourites may be the Wexford duo of Tommy Hynes and Colin Keeling however, whose hard hitting no nonsense style is sure to please the local crowd. The final pairing sees Dominic Lynch of Kerry team up with Gavin Buggy of Wexford.They will be hoping their contrasting styles can blend to form a formidable partnership. Buggy’s steady play coupled with Lynch’s artistry may prove a tough nut to crack. Only time will tell. One thing is for sure however, a festival of handball is in store.

The action gets underway at midday on Sat 21^st with Eoin Kennedy and Robbie McCarthy jnr facing Eddie Burke and Mike Clifford. Games will continue throughout the day with the semi finals pencilled in for 7pm. The final is down for 1pm on the Sunday. It is to be preceded by the final of a very successful intermediate tournament ran last week which saw Paddy Donovan and Ollie Cassidy battle through to face Kerry Hennessy and Ian Griffin in the final. The local crowd will also eagerly await this as it sees both Paddy and Kerry return to their home club once more.

An Exciting weekend of handball, craic, chat, and enjoyment is certainly on the horizon and all are invited to come along and share in what should prove to be a wonderful social and sporting occasion. A true advertisement of what this great game and club are all about.

Schedule:

Sat 21^st June:

Game 1: @ 12 Noon

Eoin Kennedy/Robbie McCarthy (Dub/WH) v Eddie Burke & Mike Clifford (KK)

Game 2:

Tommy Hynes/Colin Keeling (Wexford) v Paul Mullins/David Moloney (Tipp)

Game 1A:

Kenneth Kane/Mike Finnegan (Carlow/Cavan) v Game 1 Loser

Game 2A:

Dominic Lynch/Gavin Buggy (Kerry/Wexford) v Game 2 Loser

Semi Finals @ 7pm

Game 1 winner v Game 1A winner

Game 2 winner v Game 2A winner

Sunday 22^nd June:

Intermediate Final @ 12 Noon

Paddy Donovan/Ollie Cassidy (Laois/Mayo) v Kerry Hennessy/Ian Griffin (Dublin)

Senior Final @ 1 pm