Danny O’Sullivan Memorial Cup

Kennedy and McCarthy take title

The sun drenched Galtee Mountains were nowhere to be seen last weekend in South Limerick, yet the torrential downpours failed to dampen the spirits of those present at Hospital Handball Club. A feast of handball lay in the making with some of Irelands finest players present. Collectively they served up a banquet in what proved to be a magnificent 2 days of competition.

The action got underway midday on Saturday with Eoin Kennedy and Robbie McCarthy laying down a marker early on with a comprehensive 2 game victory over Eddie Burke and Mike Clifford. The Kilkenny pairing did trouble Kennedy and McCarthy for periods however showing glimpses of why they won All-Ireland Intermediate honours in 2007.Match 2 was being eagerly anticipated with the 4 big hitters taking to the court, Paul Mullins and David Moloney (Tipperary) facing off against Tommy Hynes and Colin Keeling (Wexford). For 2 hours these men showed little respect for that little red ball, belting it with skill and precision around the court. The Wexford duo may have been firm favourites but Mullins and Moloney were having none of it taking a tight first game. Game 2 saw the Wexford pairing bite back however with a 21-9 victory followed up by a hard fought 21-16 victory in the 3^rd.Next up was the dynamic pairing of Kenneth Kane and Mike Finnegan against the previously defeated Kilkenny paring of Burke and Clifford (probably the only back door Kilkenny will need this year). With the unfamiliar Carlow/Cavan pairing slow to start the Nore side men took full advantage but it was not to be enough to take game 1 as the sleeping giants awoke from their slumber just in time taking game one 21-18.Game 2 proved again to be a hard fought contest but the intelligence of Kane and power and experience of Finnegan making the difference in a 21-14 victory. In the final quarter final Dominic Lynch and Gavin Buggy battled out a hard fought 2 game victory over Mullins and Moloney settling the semi final pairings. Lynch and Buggy were to do battle with Hynes and Keeling while a mouth-watering match was being anticipated between the Kennedy/McCarthy partnership and the Carlow/Cavan alliance of Kane and Finnegan

The entertainment thus far had been incredible with the packed gallery showing their appreciation on numerous occasions for amazing feats in the court. Kane with his dazzling skill and Bob Marley appearance was proving to be a crowd favourite. The question remained however, how would he fair out against the great Kennedy down that left side?

High Noon came at 7pm in Hospital that evening on the longest day of the year, with the two teams taking the court. The buzz of anticipation was palpable. Some argued Kane/Finnegan while others said Kennedy/McCarthy. For over 2 hours these men set about their task like gladiators in the coliseum. The game ebbed and flowed with magnificent handball from all 4. Kennedy precise and punishing with McCarthy steady as ever. Kane started slowly again but in full flight was magnificent killing at will at times while Finnegan once again proving why he is so regarded down that right side. In the end the fresher legs of Kennedy and McCarthy prevailed with a 21-14 third game victory. The second semi final say Hynes and Keeling play Lynch and Buggy and following the previous game it was always going to be hard to repeat. It began frantically however with some magnificent power and accuracy being shown by both sides. It was clear however that Hynes was hurt and following a 21-19 first game loss he was forced to retire with an arm injury. In from the breach stepped Paul Mullins to sub. It was always going to prove difficult however and the new pairing found themselves 16-0 behind before they ever got going. Lynch and Buggy won out 21-9 in the end setting up a showdown with Kennedy and McCarthy the following day.

At 12pm on Sunday the intermediate final between Paddy Donovan/Ollie Cassidy and Kerry Hennessy/Ian Griffin kicked off. Little did everybody know that at 2:30 they would still be playing? With both Hennessy and Donovan returning to their home club the gallery was packed early and both were keen for victory. A titanic battle ensued with high levels of skill, speed and fitness on display. In the end Hennessy and Griffin took the title 21-19 19-21 21-19. Tony Hannon IHC President was present to present the cup and paid tribute to both teams for an incredible game.

Moments later the senior players took to the court with Kennedy and McCarthy unbackable favourites to take the title. As the game began it was clear from an early stage that Lynch/Buggy came with a game plan with Gavin playing solidly on the right while Lynch was killing at the 1^st opportunity. Scores were level on several occasions and Kennedy and McCarthy looked rocked as their opponents took the game to them at every opportunity. They are not the champions that they are for nothing however and they steadied the ship once again, taking game one 21-17. In game 2 all 4 players served up an exhibition of doubles play with Lynch on fire early on then Kennedy showing his class. Again scores with tough to get were long crowd-pleasing rallies. McCarthy was really beginning to motor at this stage with some clever fly kills around the right corner. Buggy was pushing himself to the limit also diving for several balls and continuously keeping Kennedy on the back foot. In the end that winning edge of Kennedy and McCarthy may just have proved the difference winning on a 21-17 21-19 scoreline. Again Tony Hannon was present to present the cup together with Cyril O’Sullivan, son of the late Danny.

The entire tournament proved to be a tremendous success with all players full of praise for its organisation. All Credit to the Hospital Handball Club again for bringing the countries premier players to the area. And all credit to those players for making the tournament the tremendous success that it was.