Williamstown
Tournament – Report and Photos courtesy Michael McGee
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The
previous day, seen qualifying games with two Men’s Open games
particularly memorable. Armagh’s James Doyle Ireland’s only adult
1-wall champion at last year’s World Championships was the early
favourite following the late withdrawal of Irish 1-Wall champion Charly
Shanks. Mayo’s Vinny Moran was in superb form against Doyle and took an
early lead that he held onto the finish despite Doyle throwing everything
into it to rescue the tie. Moran held out for a memorable win to qualify for
the final. In the other semi clash Ruairi Kelly from Tyrone was pitted
against Mayo’s Joe McCann. Right at the death McCann rescued the match
after a heart stopping finale.Yet it was Kelly who progressed with 2 points
in time added on. Donohue takes Ladies Open It was an all Roscommon contestbetween St. Coman’sDeirdre Donohue and Hiliary Rushe in the White House Hotel sponsored Ladies final. Donohue opened with intent leading by 9-3.Both players entertaining the good attendance with well worked scoring opportunities in the skills of the one-wall code. Rushe came more into it and reduced the lead but Donohue always looked comfortable in this encounter.Rushe heroically managed to save game ball 3 times before Donohue finished it by 15-10.Donohue had a good 5-0 lead early in the second but it was Rushe who dug deep. An excellent return from Rushe that landed inch perfect at the back line to reduce the lead to 5-4.It looked like it could be a close second game with the game in the balance at 9-7 in Donohue’s favour. From there to the finish Donohue began to dominate making fewer mistakes and kept driving for the finishing line. A powerfully struck ace by Donohue to Rushe’s right side for a 12-7 lead had her in the driving seat and she finished strongly recording a thoroughly deserving15-8 win in the second. Shane Ganly from the White House Hotel was on hand to make the presentations shortly afterwards. |
Early on the Sunday morning
the Tarmy’s Tavern Sponsored Boys U-18 final took place between Monaghan’s
Darragh Doherty and Armagh’s rising young star in Conal McKevitt.At 11-11
in game one it was finely balanced but it was McKevitt who dug deep to secure
the win by 15-11.Doherty was unfazed by this and he played some great handball
thereafter and he had to as McKevitt made Doherty a double World Champion from
last year fight all the way. Doherty took a big lead 13-2 lead in the second.
McKevitt put on 2 more scores but Doherty ran out game 2 quite comfortably. In
the tie breaker again it was the Monaghan teenager that started well going 5-2
up. McKevitt took a time out and getting some expert coaching from fellow
Armagh player James Doyle. McKevitt returned to the court and reduced the lead
to the minimum 5-4.
However despite giving his all and with the Armagh support behind him it was Doherty who excelled in the closing stages eventually taking it by 11-4 in an exciting final.
McCartin
defeats Creamer in C final
NevanMcCartin
from the St. Coman’s Club in Roscommon was up against Fintan Creamer from
the famed 1-wall nursery Club Abbeylara in Longford in the final of the D.G.
Roofing sponsored C final. This was expected to be a close affair but McCartin
proving stronger in all departments.The St. Coman’s club player trained on
a number of occasions on the court prior to the tournament and this stood to
him against the Longford man.At 4-4 in game 1 McCartin demonstrated why he will
be pushing for National One-Wall honours in July with an overall controlled
display of good defence and finishing power.Creamer could not match McCartin’s
overall play as the Roscommon man took game 1 by 15-4.In game 2 McCartin
powered his way to a 7-1 lead.Creamer was finding the St. Coman’s player
difficult to handle but kept battling away. The Longford man managed to reduce
the lead to 8-4 but could not maintain it. McCartin could not be broken down
and his overall positioning and clever use of the court was unerring. In the
end McCartin came home on a 15-5 scoreline.
Mayo’s Vinny Moran was
first on court for the Mullin’s Engineering Sponsored Men’s Open
final. Moran wearing the Club’s sponsored shirt with matching head band.
Ruairi Kelly arrived soon after with his name emblazoned on the back of his
dark blue shirt. There was nothing separating the finalists as both fought for
an early advantage.The match was level at 5-5. Then Moran took control and with
his customary powerfully stuck shots causing problems for Kelly.The
Ballaghaderreen man hit the front with a blistering salvo going in front by
13-6. Kelly with 2 nice angled shots to Moran’s right reduced the lead
somewhat.Moran ended the first game after Kelly with 2 excellent returns under
pressure kept the ball in play. Moranfrom an acute angle on the right expertly
killed to take the opening game by 15-8.
Nobody would have seen what
was coming in the second. Kelly who looked overwhelmed by the ferocity of Moran’s
play laid down the challenge to Ballaghaderreen’s pocket rocket when
leading 9-0 in the second.Kelly straight away into the game used the tactic of
serving deep to Moran’s right side and Moran’s returns were then sent
spinning away to the right side that even Usain Bolt the Olympic sprinter would
have done well to reach on occasions.This plan worked well and Moran could not
dictate play from this point on. It was Kelly who now held all the aces and
Moran had to expend huge levels of energy running both sides of the court to
keep in contention.Kelly’s overhand serve worked well and with powerfully
struck returns giving Moran much to think about.Moran was forced to go for
kills from the back line with a number of them dropping short or not accurate
enough. Kelly extended his lead to 14-3. Moran magnificently refused to give in
and with a heart of a lion roared back bringing him 3 more scores.Kelly had the
impetus built up however and closed out game 2 soon bringing the final to a tie
break.
In the tie break it was
Kelly displaying very little emotions and with his ice cool demeanour forged
ahead by 7-1.Moran then got an ace to Kelly’s left side that the Tyrone
star hardly expected and barely moved for. Moran killed the following
opportunity close to the front wall.The Mayo star in one last throw of the dice
switched serves to Kelly’s left but had little effect.Moran played a huge
part in making it a memorable final but it was Kelly’s clever tactical
switch and his overall performance in all departments was very encouraging to
watch.
Shortly afterwards I asked
Pat Conway of the organizing Committee where did the idea come from to host a
1-wall tournament? “After last year’s nationals in Breaffy House we
looked at the calendarto see was there any space to host a 1 wall tournament.
And we picked last weekend 6 weeks before the Nationals.”
Next question I asked Pat
What was the most pleasing aspect of the weekend handball action? “In
replay Pat said “The amount of youngsters enjoying handball. With the
plate games it gave them an extra incentive to keep going. Also to see the
Masters and Diamond grades they were spectacular in their performances. The
Ladies & Men’s Open sealed the whole weekend for us enthused Conway.”
The following sponsors were
thanked
EMP Furniture, Mullins
Engineering, Glenamaddy Credit Union, Moughan’s Pharmacy, Whitehouse
Hotel, DG Roofing, Keith Hevican Planning & Building Services, David
Geraghty & Tarmy’s Tavern.
The Williamstown Tournament
looks set to become an annual event according to Conway “If we can get
enough sponsorship hopefully we will be able to continue it on.The Committee of
Pat Conway, Shane Conneely, Declan Connaughton, Sean Finnegan & Noel McHugh
deserve every praise for organizing a wonderful tournament. At the end the
numbers of players, supporters and officials showingtheir appreciation to the
committee was very welcome. I have no doubt there will be an even bigger One Wall
tournament in Williamstown in 2011.
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Pat Conway, Shane Coneeley, Declan Connaughton
Sean Finnegan and Noel McHugh Organising Committee |
Boys 16 R-Up Conan McKevitt with Pat Conway and
Winner Darren Doherty |
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Mount Talbot Duo, Liam O’Ceallaigh and Jarlath
Coyle Men’s Challenger Pres. |
Boys U14 R-Up John Lalor with Noel McHugh and
Winner Johnny Woods |
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Men’s C Winner Nevan McCartan & R-Up
Fintan Creamer with Pat Conway |
Ladies Open Champion Deirdre Donohoe with Shane Ganley Sponsor and Hialry Rushe |
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Boys 18 R-Up Diarmuid O’Flatharta with Pat
Dean and winner Martin Mulkerrins |
Geraldine Fahy Presents Cianna NiChurraoin with
the Girls U14 |
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Vincent Moran (r-up) with Pat Conway and Champion
Ruairi Kelly |
Masters Singles R-Up Frank Semple with Pat Conway
and Champion Niall Kerr |
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Girls 11 Pres Heather Spelman and Aisling NiMhaoilean |
Martin McMahon Gilrs U16 Winner with Roisin Ni hAinli |
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Girls
U11 Cup:
Winner:
Heather Spellman (Williamstown)
R.-Up: Aisling Ní
Mhaoileáin (Inis Mór)
Girl’s
U12 Cup:
Winner:
Eimear Ní Bhiadha (Indreabhán), R-up: S. Ní Bhraonáin (Indreabhán)
Plate:
Winner: H. Dagg (Kildare) R-Up: Elaine Mithchell( Williamstown)
Girls
U14 Cup: Winner Ciana Ní Churraoin, R-Up Mary Fahy (Williamstown)
Girls
U14 Plate: Winner: Linda Ní Chadhain, R-Up: Kate Dagg ( Leixlip)
Winner:
Martina Mcmahon(Limerick), R-Up: Róisín Ní Chonghaile(Moycullen)
Winner:
Deirdre Donohue, R-Up: Hilary Rushe(Roscommon)
Plate-
Winner: Pauline Gallagher (Mayo), R-Up: Maighréad Bn. Uí Dhúill.
Winner
: Bairbre Ní Ainlí (Indreabhán) R-Up: Ciara McGloughlin, (Fenagh)
Plate:
Winner: Ellen O Connor (Leixlip), R-Up:
Winner:
Ruairí Kelly (Tyrone), R-Up: V. Moran (Mayo)
Plate:
Winner: Darren Flynn (Longford), R-Up: Pat Conway, (Galway)
Winner:
Liam Ó Ceallaigh (Roscommon), R-Up: Jarlath Coyle (Roscommon)
Plate:
Winner: Micheál Ó Cualáin (Inis Mór), James Greevy (Roscommon)
Winner:
Nevan McCartan (Roscommon) R-Up: Fintan Creamer (Longford)
Plate:
Winner: Danny Reilly (Leitrim), R-Up: Mark McCartan (Tyrone)
Winner:
Niall Kerr (Tyrone), R-Up: Frank Semple (Dublin)
Winner:
Dermot Doolin, R-up: Brian Havern
Winner:
Martin Mulkerrins (Moycullen), R-Up: Diarmaid Ó Faharta (Indreabhán)
Plate:
Winner: Cathal Connolly.
Winner:
Darren Doherty (Monaghan), Conall McCavitt (Armagh)
Plate:
Winner: Garry Kelly (Roscommon), R-Up: C.Egan (Roscommon)
Winner:
Johnny Woods (Tyrone), R-Up John Lalor (Galway)
Plate:
Winner: Enda Conn
Winner:
Sean Kerr (Tyrone), R-Up: Matthew McCartan (Tyrone)
Plate:
Winner Ruadháin Ó Curraoin, R-Up: B. McGarry
Winner:
Diarmaid Mulkerrins, (Moycullen) R-Up: Stephen Raftery (Williamstown)
Plate:
Winner: James Smyth, R-Up: Gerard Comer (Both Williamstown)