Danny O'Sullivan Memorial Tournament
Report and Photos
Legendary Kilkenny handballer, Michael "Duxie" Walsh
(Talbot's Inch), teamed-up with ace Meath veteran, Tom Sheridan (Kells),
to claim the Senior Doubles title at this year's Danny O' Sullivan Softball
(60X30) Memorial Tournament over the weekend. They defeated Kerry
stalwart, Dominic Lynch (Glenbeigh) and Wexford ace, Gavin Buggy (St. Mary's,
Wexford Town), in a two-game final, at a well-groomed Hospital Handball
Club.
The dynamic pairing of Walsh, who is the most-decorated
player in the history of the sport, with 38 All-Ireland Senior titles to
his credit, and Sheridan, the most prolific doubles player ever, with a
haul of twenty-one All-Ireland Senior Doubles titles, proved too strong
for Lynch and Buggy, as they blitzed through the first game, on an emphatic
scoreline of 21-6.
Playing with complete control and unerring hands,
the two legends of the game served out a lesson in doubles play to the
Kerry/Wexford pairing. Sheridan displayed just why he is the master of
the doubles game, having both his opponents scampering all over the court
on several occasions. His tactical awareness was phenomenal and his stats
for unforced errors and misses for the entire weekend could be written
on the back of a stamp. And then there is the simple matter of the man
standing beside him. With Sheridan on fire Duxie ‘made hay’ on the right,
taking a huge amount of ball on the fly with precision placement and no
little spin. Every back wall set up was flattened around the front right
corner, every standing ball was guided to the corners out of the air with
both left and right. It really was a master class from the ageless pairing.
In game 2 Lynch and Buggy did come out all guns
blazing and took the game to their opponents, showing real heart and fight.
Buggy was turning on the power and beginning to get just a small bit of
change out of Duxie down the right, while finally Lunch’s renowned silken
left hand began to flow and the rollouts were beginning to accumulate.
They continued to mount their challenge and buoyed by a packed gallery,
the underdogs were battling towards a second game win. Sheridan and Duxie
regained the serve at 15 to 16 and for the first time over the weekend
the pressure was on. The reply was emphatic.
Regaining their composure, the Meath/Kilkenny juggernaut
returned to business as usual with a six-point run to claim the second
game 21-16. Sheridan again was the picture of composure, and following
a super passing shot down the left, leaving both Lynch and Buggy faltering
on the floor, he boldly turned to the crowd and cheekily applauded himself,
and the crowd were loving it. Not to be out done, Duxie passed brilliant
down the right with a magnificent fly shot off his left hand moments later.
Again the huge crowd in attendance erupted in applause. Moments later it
was all over. The final scoreline read 21-6 21-16.
Lynch and Buggy though disappointed can certainly
hold their heads high after playing some great stuff over the 2 days. Their
21-12 21-15 semi final victory over former All-Ireland doubles champions
Eoin Kennedy and Egin Jensen, just highlights the quality of their play.
Having now lost the last two finals I have no doubt that 2010 will see
them return in hope for that third time lucky.
In the Intermediate Doubles final, Limerick's Paul
Hedderman (Hospital) and Tom O' Brien (Broadford), defeated Clare duo,
Declan Frawley (Clarecastle) and Seamus Lawlor (Newmarket-On-Fergus), in
a thrilling clash, over three games, on a scoreline of 18-21, 21-16, 21-13.
The tournament proved again to be a huge success,
and has become one of the premier events of the year for our senior players.
Both Duxie and Sheridan paid tribute to Hospital Handball Club for the
manner in which the tournament was organised and run, and the wonderful
hospitality shown to all 16 players attending. Seamus O’Donovan, the club
chairperson, paid tribute to his fellow committee and club members for
all the work and time they had put in, to prepare the court and facilities,
and in organising the event. The entire weekend proved a resounding
success. Roll on 2010.
Saturday
20/06/2009.
Time offirst
game is fixed at 12.00pm . The time of remaining games are approximate.
E.
Kennedy and E. Jensen dft S. Carroll and
C. J. Fitzpatrick 21-9,21-5.
D. Lynch and G. Buggy dftT.
Hynes andP. Mullins 21-17, 21-11
D
Keegan and J McCann dftR.
McCarthy and M. Finnegan 21-14, 17-21, 21-17
M. Ducksy
Walsh and T. SheridandftE.
Burkeand M. Clifford 21-10 21-10
Semi
Final at 7.00pm
on Saturday evening
D
Lynch/ G Buggy dft E Kennedy/ I Jensen 21-12,
21-15
Walsh/ Sheridan dft
Keegan/ McCann 21-5, 21-10
Sunday
21/06/2009
12.00pm
Intermediate Final
P.Hedderman
and T. O`Briendft
D. Frawley and S. Lawlor
19-21, 21-16, 21-13
1.00pm
Senior Doubles Final
Ducksie
Walsh/ Tom Sheridan dft Dominic Lynch/ Gavin
Buggy 21-6, 21-16
