Irish handballers will return from Tucson, Arizona today (Tuesday) with six US Junior National titles to their credit. The Irish ladies ran riot over the four-day competition with both the 13s/15s crown and 17s/19s title returning to the Emerald Isle.
In the 17s/19s final, Antrim’s Aisling Reilly defeated doubles partner, Leona Doolin on a scoreline of 21-4, 21-12. Reilly has been in outstanding form over the past few days of action and when paired with Doolin, the Irish girls provided an unstoppable outfit as they overcame Canadian’s Kira Toxopeus and Pepukai Jones 21-1, 21-0.
In an all-Irish 13s/15s final, Mayo’s Amy Corrigan saw off the challenge of Cork’s Catriona Casey, as the Ballaghaderreen girl exacted revenge for her defeat in the Irish trials for the US Juniors. Corrigan produced a top class display and took the opening game 21-6, continuing her good form to take the second 21-9.
In the Boys 17 and Under Final, Bannermen Diarmaid Nash and Niall Malone defeated the number one pairing, Tyree Basitdas (New York) and Mexican, Luis Cordova in a gripping affair. In the opening game, the Clare pairing were outstanding and registered a 21-18 victory, and the second game proved just as tough as they went on to win 21-15. Former Irish great, and Clare native, Pat Kirby was present at the Tucson Club to witness the victory as the next generation of handballers made their mark.
In the 13 and Under Boys final, Barry
Nash was forced to pull out all the stops as he took the overall title.
Nash went down 21-14 in the first game but recomposed himself in to take
the second game 21-17 and force a tiebreaker. Nash controlled the decider
from start to finish as he fended off the challenge of Californian Alejandro
Serra 11-1.
In the doubles, the younger of the Nash brothers paired up with Kilkenny’s
Dylan Walsh to add his second title when the duo defeated Avery Haskell
and Patrick Sutherland (Kansas).
Kilkenny’s Eoghan Hennessy also put
in a gusty performance in the 15 and Under Doubles finals but was defeated
by a strong Canadian partnership of John
Audet and Daniel Cordova.
In
the consolation finals, Ireland took three further titles as Malone, Hennessy
and Tyrone’s Paul Clare also recorded victories. At the tournament banquet,
Gavin McCrystall was awarded the best newcomer award after his fine performances
in the 13 and Under category. Now the juniors will return to prepare for
the 40x20 championship season ahead.
 |
 |
| Girls U13/15 & U Winner Amy Corrigan | Gilrs U19 Doubles winners Leona Doolin and Aisling Reilly with Ducksie Walsh |
 |
 |
| Niall Malone Barry Nash Pat Kirby & Diarmuid Nash | Leona Doolin in action |
 |
| Ballaghaderreen Club Homecoming Group including Stephen Cooney & Amy Corrigan |