One-Wall Nationals Report -by Michael McGee

 
First on the full programme of finals was the Diamond Masters finale between the well-travelled Morgan Darcy from the Moycullen Club in Galway and Noel Raftery from Lisacaul in Roscommon. Darcy looked well on course to take the first game when he led by 14-7. Left-handed Raftery defiantly came more into the game and began to play some neat handball and almost sneaked it at the finish.Darcy who has been in many similar tight finishes before. His joust with Oisin Naughton in the McGee Tournament final of 2006 in Newport comes readily to mind. At his fourth game ball attempt he managed to take the game with a volley by 15-14.
In game 2 after the players were level at 4-4 Darcy began to pull away with some excellent serving, placed shots and volleys put him into an 9-4 lead. Raftery made a bold bid to take the second game. And it was the Lisacual’s club man turn to dominate helped in part from some wayward shooting from Darcy. Within minutes it was level again.However Darcy regrouped and made sure it wasn’t going to be tight finish again as he took his second Diamond Masters title on the trot with a 15-11 win. 
In the final of the Golden Masters seen Peter Larkin from Monaghan pitted against Martin Bruen from Roscommon. Bruen was deceptively quick throughout.After Larkin pulled back Bruen’s early lead to 3-3 it was Bruen who raced ahead by 11-5. Bruen remarkably returned a ball that had gone past him he raced backwards and flicked the ball over his head that landed inch perfect on the front wall with Larkin close but unable to do anything. It was an exciting finish to the game with the Monaghan man coming back strongly and he almost took it. Bruen fought hard for the first game and on his 5th game ball attempt he finally ended Larkin’s comeback by the slender margin of 15-14. 
In the second game scores were tied at 3,5 and 8.Larkin began to cut out Bruen’s serve but this ploy didn’t work. The Roscommon man inching his way to the title wasn’t going to be denied despite the Monaghan’s gallant efforts to stay in the contest. Bruen at his 3rd attempt for National glory finally ended Larkin’s hopes with the winning score straight to the front wall by winning by 15-10 in the end.
In the Girls U-18 decider was Roscommon’s Leona Doolin and Lorraine Havern from Down. Havern is going to be a new star in Ladies Handball shortly following this exciting contest as she pushed her more illustrious opponent all the way. It was a terrific contest from start to finish and the array of skills on offer by the girls was off the highest order. Doolin was the stronger player in the first game while Havern took a while to settle in her first appearance in a National One Wall final. Doolin took advantage with a 9-2 lead. Havern replied with 2 scores while Doolin extended her lead with 3 scores to 12-4 Havern managed to cut the lead with 4 mores scores but the St. Coman’s star took the first game with a passing shot down on the right side to win by 15-8.
In game two Havern cut loose with an explosive start going 8-0 lead so much so that Doolin called a time out.After this fright Doolin showing great battling qualities came back strongly and drew level with Havern at 10-10.Doolin leading by 13-11.Havern refused to cave in and instead showing remarkable battling qualities came back from back from the brink and dug deep when she needed it most.Havern forcing the pace gained the 4 points to bring the contest to a tiebreaker.It was a very close tiebreaker with both girls having opportunities.In the end Doolin did just enough to win but what a fright she got from Havern. Down, Havern maybe but certainly not out.We will be seeing a lot more from this young star in the years ahead. 

 
Steven Cooney from the Ballaghaderreen Club in Mayo was up against Diarmuid Nash from Clare.This was the match of the day.Nash from Tuamgraney in Clare the same club as the legendary Kirby brothers dominated the first game.He stood in the centre court and dictated matters.Cooney could not move him out of the central control zone as Nash sprayed the ball left and right.It must have felt like the young Cooney was chasing shadows in game one.Nash showing great confidence in his own ability’s.Cooney got a number of scores on the scoreboard before Nash finished off game one by 15-5.Cooney went to his Coach John Gaffney at the interval and got wise council.Nash was immediately put on the back foot as Cooney opened up a 4-1 lead.Nash had to dive full length to win a point to only be 5-4 behind.Cooney standing almost directly behind Nash when he was serving to unnerve him.Nash from Clare uncharacteristically tossed his hand out when the ball hit him on his own serve.Cooney took advantage of his good fortune as he now led 12-6.Nash with good serves to the feet of Cooney reduced the lead to 12-9.Cooney destined to be a star in the near future another Dessie Keegan in the making showed great determination.Cooney with two great hands took the second game by 15-10.With the scores at 3-3 in the tiebreaker Cooney giving his all for the win took a commanding 9-3 lead.Nash tried to respond with 2 points.Cooney then dived to win the point for game ball and duly took it by 11-5 in an absorbing contest 
 
Marianna Rushe marches on in Ladies Final win
In the Ladies Final seen Marianna Rushe from Roscommon up against Kerry White from England. It was a disappointing final as Rushe proved too strong for the English champion winning comfortably in two games. Afterwards I asked Marianna for her reaction to the win in the Ladies Final.The quiet spoken Roscommon star was delighted to win it. “I was happy with my own performance but I need to improve a bit.”I asked Marianne was she surprised how easy she won in the end?“Yes, but White was nervous in the fist game and then she played well in the second game.I wasn’t really nervous said Marianna.”Marianna will now set her sights on doing well in the 60 x 30 championships.

The Men’s C final was an all Meath affair with Eugene O’Reilly up against his doubles partner Peter Flanagan. This was another full-blooded contest.O’Reilly took game 1 by 15-10. Flanagan came back strongly forcing the tie breaker with a 15-5 win in game 2.O’Reilly was well on the way to victory when leading 9-3 in the tiebreaker.Flanagan tried to get back into it but could only gain 3 more scores against the resolute O’Reilly. O’Reilly sealing victory by 11-6. 
Padraig McGlinchey from the Carrickmore Club in Tyrone faced Darren Flynn from Abbeylara. Flynn was hoping for better luck, as he was runner-up in 2 previous finals.McGlinchey was in superb form and with great fitness and handball ability he kept Flynn chasing the game.At 8-8 McGlinchey upped his performance and Flynn just couldn’t match the intensity from the Tyrone man. In the end McGlinchey taking it by 15-10
In game two McGlinchey had a good 5-1 lead but then tossed his hand out with 2 shorts. Flynn wasted no time to be only 5-4 behind.It was proving to be a great contest with little separating the players. Scores were level at 8,11 and 12.It was McGlinchey who got the all-important 3 points to take the title back to Tyrone by 15-12. His great sportsmanship will be remembered for a long time. Even when winning points he agreed for them to replayed and he will gain many admirers as a result.
The huge crowd now were waiting patiently for the Men’s open to begin. Brady was first on court followed shortly by Dessie Keegan wearing the Irish shirt while Brady wearing a white US playing shirt.Brady looking in supreme condition while Keegan looking like a prize boxer ready for the fight.Brady had a blistering start taking the Ballaghaderreen man apart win 11 unanswered points. Brady’s serving and killing off the ball was World Class.The crowd warmed to the Cavan man’s exploits.Brady displaying amazing fitness to get to the lowest of Keegan’s returns.Brady like a thoroughbred racehorse covering the court with lightning speed.When Keegan did comes to terms with Brady’s serving it made for a good contest even though the result was never in doubt. Brady taking the first game by 15-7.In game two Keegan got the first score but Brady got a great ace serving straight down the right hand side with Keegan not quick enough to react.Brady just kept ahead off Keegan in the scoring and the nearest the Ballaghaderreen man could get was 9-8. From there to the finish it was Brady as he ran out a deserving winner by 15-8. 

After the Presentations I asked Paul Brady his thoughts on winning the Men’s Open. “It was a new experience,” said Paul. “ I just decided to enter during the week and enjoyed it I have to say.I had no football this weekend and it was the first time I had an opportunity so I decided to give it a go.I worked my way into the championships and thankfully it worked out well in the end.” Next question I asked Paul was that it is already another fantastic year for him winning the double of Irish 40 x 20 Championships, U.S. singles titles for the 4th year in a row and now the One-Wall what is next for him? “ I wasn’t expecting to play the one-wall.All my goals have been achieved so far.The next big one is the U.S. open in October and I want to get ready for that and see how it goes.”
Despite having to settle for silver Dessie Keegan kindly gave me his time and I asked him that he must be a little disappointed losing to Paul but still played very well to get within touching distance of the World Champion.“Yes, when I found the first game which was a bit off putting.Look at the other rounds is 20-minute games and you have only 1 serve and everyone is lobbing the ball out. Then you go into the final with somebody like Paul he has such a brilliant serve.I was 11-0 behind and I couldn’t cope with this serve. Next thing when I do cope with it I brought it back to 8.In the second game it was neck and neck up to 8-8 then Paul been Paul takes away again. He is a Phenomenal player.
I asked Dessie his thoughts looking forward to the 60 x 30 championships and his prospects on winning the singles and doubles with Joe McCann?“Yes, Joe and I were training last year and I remember coming out of the court the week before the final and I said to myself this is it we are going to win it. I just knew everything had been done and then Joe got injured playing football.That is what is driving me on this year. It was an embarrassment coming out of the court in the final last year. I said to myself I am absolutely going to destroy Kennedy and Jensen the next time I get in the court with them and even Eoin in the singles. I am really up for it.I am really looking forward to the re-match.”  Connell Cannon the event co-ordinator was justifiably pleased with the championships when I asked him for his views on this year championships in Sligo.“It is just becoming more popular with 200 entering.We took it on 8/9 years ago with 50 in it.It is great to see it and the standards are getting higher and higher. It is just an enjoyable weekend.” I asked Connell what were the highlights for him that he will remember from this year’s championships.“I suppose seeing Paul Brady playing in it and the attraction.To me seeing the same players coming back but seeing them back years later.I saw a couple of guys in the Men’s B and I remember those guys as U-12’s.They have grown up and you see the sportsmanship of someone like Padraig McGlinchey giving away points that were already given to him because he just didn’t feel it was right. To see the Flynn’s coming back and fighting their hearts out trying to win it and Darren his year will come yet.One wall is a good game when you see it played at that level.It was worth all the hard work concluded Connell after an exhausting weekend.