Historic
treble for Brady and Shannon as Ireland amass 35 World titles in Portland
Portland, Oregan
was the setting for the 2009 World championships which took place from
October 4th-11th last. With 12 countries
taking part and 1,000 participants. The Committee led by Chatten
Hayes, Jay Maxwell, Tom Hussey and the entire committee was stretched to
their ultimate limits. Volunteers working almost round the clock helped
to make the Championships one
of the best ever organised and the Portland committee deserve every
praise for pulling out all the stops.
It
was a championships that Cavan’sPaul
Brady & Belfast’s Fiona Shannon will never forget as the pair won an
historic 3 World titles in a row. It says much to their longevity and commitment
to the perfect game of handball that they have stayed at the top of their
game for so long.
Wrynn’s
world title, and Monaghan’s stars shine
 |
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| Men's B One-Wall Champion James Doyle with R-Up Ramiro Rodriguez | Ladies Open Doubles Presentations, Tony Hannon (Irish Handball President) Aisling Reilly & Maria Daly (Runners -Up) with Champions, Fiona Shannon and Sibeal Gallagher and Handball Manager - Chris Curran |
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| Fiona Shannon and Aisling Reilly in action in the Ladies Open Singles Final | Men's Open Singes Champion Paul Brady |
Overall
260 Irish players made the long journey to the Multnomah
Athletic Club in Portland the venue for the 2007 U.S. Nationals.The
Irish equipped themselves extremely well to such an extent they won they
dominated the Men’s
A, B, C singles and doubles events. The Juveniles Boys & Girls took
home a staggering 17 titles in 4 wall and 1 wall games. James Doyle from
Armagh was the only winner in the Adult One-Wall singles when he took the
Men’s B crown. Incidentally James Doyle’s wife Maighread
also won the Ladies equivalent at the 2006 World championships in Edmonton
Canada thus creating a little piece of sporting history for the Doyle family.It
was also a memorable championships for Donal
Wrynn from the Fenagh handball nursery in
Co. Leitrim. Wrynn went all the way in the Boy’s 15 & Under One Wall
title a first ever for Leitrim in the World championships. There was also
notable first World titles for Monaghan in the form of Darren Doherty who
won 2 titles at 13 & Under and Padraig
McKenna in the Boys 15 & Under.
Ireland
Juvenile stars continue to do the Country proud at International level. The
youngest competitor Daniel Curry from Wicklow also won 2 titles in Portland
at 11 & Under level. Galway’s Martin
Mulkerrins won both the singles and doubles (with Niall O’Connor) in the
17 & Under category. Limerick’s Seamus O’Carrollclaimed
2 World titles the Boys 19 & under with a hugely impressive win over
Luis Cordova and then partnering C.J. Fitzpatrick in the Men’s B doubles
final over Cork’s Finbarr Rafferty &
Alan O’ Dwyer. Unfortunately for OctogenarianJim
Kennedy the Cork man had to settle for silver in Platinum final. Legendary
Kilkenny maestro Michael Ducksy Walsh had facile wins in Masters singles
& doubles event with Dublin’s Egin Jensen. Galway’s Shane Connelly
had a good win over Scott Richter of Wisconsin in the Golden Masters B
Singles final.
Shannon’s
historic singles feat and doubles win with Sister Sibeal
The
Ladies also performed admirably winning the Ladies Open Singles and Doubles.
And also the Ladies A, B & C singles returned to Ireland.It
was another fine Wicklow double this time in for form of Shauna Hiley
Ireland’s representative won both the Girls19
& Under & Ladies B singles title. Cianna Ni Churraoin from Galway
also claimed 2 titles at 13 & Under level.
Roscommon’s Lauren O’ Riordan had much to smile about winning the Girls
15 & Under singles and doubles with Martina McMahon from Limerick.
For Fiona Shannon like Paul Brady reached handball immortality also with
her 3 consecutive World Open Ladies title. This time she had to fight out
stiff resistance from Belfast’s Aisling Reilly. It was a repeat of this
year’s All-Ireland final with the result the same.Reilly
put up stubborn resistance throughout and Shannon had to be at her best
to gain victory by 21-19, 21-15. Shannon completed an historic double when
teaming up with her sister Sibeal to win the doubles over Aisling Reilly
& Maria Daly. They did it the hard way losing the 1st and
were 18-9 down in the second before staging a remarkable comeback before
gaining a narrow win the 2nd. In the tie-break Fiona & her
sister Sibeal prevailed taking the championship by 11-4.The final score
in this entertaining Ladies doubles final was 19-21,
21-19, 11-4.
All
eyes were on Paul Brady could he go into the history books as the 1st
player to win 3 consecutive World Open titles. Going into the championships
the World champion & Cavan G.A.A. star sustained an injury in the run
up. So much so he had to withdraw from the Golden Gloves the week before
the start of the championships. On arrival in Portland Brady had to make
the big decision to pull out of the doubles with county doubles partner
Michael Finnegan as his injury needed more treatment. Brady had to take
a number of pain killing injections to carry him through tough qualifyinggames
on route to another final.Brady who
kept all his opponents in singles digits up to the semi final meeting with EmmetPeixoto.
After getting past this test it was Texan Allan Garner who stood in his
way of an historic treble. The place was packed to capacityto
see the 2 go head to head in the final. The Irish & U.S. flags could
be seen in the stands as both sets of supporters got behind their players.
Brady the well oiled human machineopened
with intent and laid down the marker with some astonishing kills and great
athleticism all over the court taking the 1st game by 21-14.
In the second Brady had a good 14-8 lead but Garner stormed back and he
fought for everything like only a Texan tiger can. Garner piled on the
pressure and Brady felt the effects ofGarner’s
attacking spirit.From a deficit
Garner threweverything
into the causeand he stunned Brady
andthe large vocal Irish support
with his all out attacking play. Garner pushed into an 18-14 lead but Brady
after the Texan’s onslaught drew level at 18-14. Garner had the momentum
built up to take the game and bring the final to a tie break.
Itwas
Brady who started the more lively in the final game going into an 3-0 lead.
However he injured himself when going for a Garner return. He called for
an 15 minute injury
time out and referee Danny Bell granted it. It was shades ofCroke
Park Dublin 03 (Brady v Healy) all over again. Brady went upstairs to get
another painkilling injection to pull him through. When he returned with
steely determination in his eyes and with true grit he forced the issue.Cometh
the hour cometh the man hitting 6 points a row. Garner lost his
concentration at the critical time and Brady using all his experience gained
from previous World final triumphs pouncedand
made it count when needed most. Garner got 1 further score but it was to
be the Breffni man’s day when he took game
ball with scenes of tumultuous joy from the huge Irish handball army looking
on. Garner was gracious in defeat. Playing on adrenaline andthrough
the pain barrier becoming World
Champion is something that could not be scripted. Perhaps in the years
to come a film on Paul Brady will be made. It would be certain to be a
blockbuster just like the player himself. Brady achieved what no other
player has achieved before or may never achieve 3 consecutive World open
singles on the trot. It is a feat that may never be surpassed. Surely,
surely now Brady will go down in history as possibly the greatest handball
player of all time. The last
remaining final to take place was the Men’s doubles decider with Dublin’s
Eoin Kennedy replacing the injured Paul Brady on the Irish team with Michael
Finnegan as they faced Brian Carroll & Robbie McCarthy the World 19
& Under champions from 2006. The game like the Men’s & Singles
Ladies finals was shown live thanks to Dave Vincent’s & JeffKastnerwebcast
technology. It was the Irish team that came home with Eoin Kennedy excellent
on the left and Michael Finnegan’s rock solid on the right. They put pay
to any chances of a Carroll/McCarthy win. In the end Kennedy/Finnegan had
won by 21-18, 21-6.
When
the dust settles down in Portland and when fires burn brightly all over
the Country on cold dark Irish winter nights.The
names of Paul Brady & Fiona Shannon will be talked of fondly for their
super human efforts.Their Herculean
exploits will go down in history and will glisten just like the brightest
stars in heavens above.
Waterford
Crystal World Handball Championships - Portland Oregon
Irish Champions List
40x20
(4-Wall) World Handball Championships
Men's
Open Singles:
Paul Brady (IRL/Cavan) bt
Allan Garner (USA/Texas) 21-14, 18-21, 11-7.
Men's
Open Doubles:
Eoin Kennedy (IRL/Dublin) & Michael Finnegan (IRL/Cavan) bt
Brian Carroll (IRL/Meath) & Robbie McCarthy Jnr.
(IRL/Westmeath) 21-18, 21-6.
Women's
Open Singles:
Fiona Shannon (IRL/Antrim) bt
Aisling Reilly (IRL/Antrim) 21-19, 21-15.
Women's
Open Doubles: Fiona
Shannon & Sibeal Gallagher (IRL/Antrim) bt
Aisling Reilly (IRL/Antrim) & Maria Daly (IRL/Kerry) 19-21, 21-19,
11-4.
Men's
Masters Singles (40+):
Michael Walsh (IRL/Kilkenny) bt
Jay Balkenbush (USA/Washington State) 21-6,
21-2.
Men's
Masters Doubles (40+):
Michael Walsh (IRL/Kilkenny) & Egin Jensen (IRL/Dublin) bt
Ryan Grossenbacher (USA/Oregon) & Dan Armijo
(USA/New Mexico) 21-8, 21-7
Men's
A
Singles: Ruairi
Kelly (IRL/Tyrone) bt Ger Coonan (IRL/Tipperary)
21-14, 21-15.
Men's
A Doubles:
Darragh Daly (IRL/Tyrone) & Ger Coonan (IRL/Tipperary) bt
Aaron Garner (USA/Texas) & Mike Steele (USA/Oregon) 12-21, 21-18, 11-6
Men's
B Singles:
Shane O' Neill (IRL/Tyrone) bt
David Hope (IRL/Offaly) 21-19, 21-6.
Men's
B Doubles: Seamus
O'Carroll & CJ Fitzpatrick (IRL/Limerick) btFinbar
Rafferty & Alan O'Dwyer (IRL/Cork) 21-11,
21-5
Men's
C Singles: Shane
Hedigan (IRL/Cork) bt
Paul Hedderman (IRL/Limerick) 21-18, 21-17.
Men's
C Doubles:
Ciaran Neary (IRL/Kilkenny) & Michael
O'Brien (IRL/Offaly) bt
JP O'Connor & Paul Hedderman (IRL/Limerick)
21-20, 21-3
Men's
Senior Singles (35+): Gavin
Buggy (IRL/Wexford) bt
Robert Herrera (USA/Oregon) 21-2, 21-3.
Men's
Golden Masters B Singles (50+):
Martin Conneely (IRL/Galway) bt
Scott Richter (USA/Wisconsin) 21-12, 21-12.
Men’s
Singles Platinum (80+):
Michael Walker (USA/Washington) bt
Jim Kennedy (IRL/Cork) 21-5, 21-6
Women's
A
Singles:
Deirdre Donohoe (IRL/Roscommon) bt Pauline
Gallagher (IRL/Mayo) 14-21, 21-15, 11-3.
Women's
B Singles: Shauna
Hilley (IRL/Wicklow) bt
Lisa McAleer (IRL/Tyrone) 21-11, 10-21,
11-1.
Women's
C Singles:
Sinead Hanley (IRL/Galway) btKira
Toxopeus (Canada/Alberta) 21-0, 21-8.
Underage
Events
Boys
19 & Under Singles: Seamus
O' Carroll (IRL/Limerick) bt
Luis Cordova Jnr. (Mexico/Chihuahua) 21-9,
21-12.
Boys
17 & Under Singles:
Martin Mulkerrins (IRL/Galway) bt
Killian Carroll (IRL/Cork) 21-19, 21-16.
Boys
17 & Under Doubles:
Martin Mulkerrins (IRL/Galway) & Niall O' Connor (IRL/Kildare) btKeith
Kavanagh (IRL/Wicklow) & John Audet (Canada/Ontario)21-10, 15-21, 11-2.
Boys
15 & Under Singles:
Padraig McKenna (IRL/Monaghan) bt
Barry Nash (IRL/Clare) 21-18, 21-19.
Boys
15 & Under Doubles:
Barry Nash & Ciaran Malone (IRL/Clare) bt
Michael Lalor & Donal Wrynn (IRL/Galway) 21-3, 21-12.
Boys
13 & Under Singles:
Darren Doherty (IRL/Monaghan) bt
Tyler Stoffel (USA/Minnesota) 21-4, 21-9.
Boys
11 & Under Singles:
Daniel Curry (IRL/Wicklow) bt
Coleman McGrath (USA/California) 21-7, 21-1.
Girls
19 & Under Singles:
Shauna Hilley (IRL/Wicklow) bt
Leona Doolin (IRL/Roscommon) 12-21, 21-14, 11-8.
Girls
19 & Under Doubles: Aisling
O' Keeffe & Catriona Casey (IRL/Cork) bt
Hillary Rushe & Leona Doolin (Roscommon) 21-16, 21-6.
Girls
17 & Under Singles:
Lorraine Havern (IRL/Down) bt
Amy Corrigan (IRL/Mayo) 21-6, 21-18.
Girls
15 & Under Singles:
Lauren O' Riordan (IRL/Roscommon) bt
Martina McMahon (IRL/Limerick) 21-17, 18-21, 11-1.
Girls
15 & Under Doubles, 1st Place:
Lauren O'Riordain (IRL/Roscommon) &
Martina McMahon (IRL/Limerick)
Girls
13 & Under Singles: Ciana
Ni Churraoin (IRL/Galway) btBridin
Bidegain (USA/California) 21-7, 21-3.
One-Wall
World Handball Championships
One-Wall
Men’s B Singles:
James Doyle (IRL/Armagh) bt
Ramiro Rodriguez (Oregon/USA) 21-7, 21-1
Big-Ball
Boys 11 & Under Singles:
Daniel Curry (IRL/Wicklow) bt
Sean Kerr (IRL/Tyrone) 21-4, 7-21, 11-3
Big-Ball
Boys 13 & Under Singles:
Darren Doherty (IRL/Monaghan) bt
Wayne Kinsella (IRL/Wicklow) 21-4, 21-12
Big-Ball
Boys 15 & Under Singles:
Donal Wrynn (IRL/Leitrim) bt
Michael Lalor (IRL/Galway) 21-2, 21-4
Big-Ball
Girls 13 & Under Singles: Ciana
Ni Churraoin (IRL/Galway) bt
Jennifer Fahy (IRL/Mayo)
Big-Ball
Girls 19 & Under Singles:
Raquel Garcia (USA/New York) bt
Aoife McCarthy (IRL/Westmeath) 21-9, 8-21, 11-3
Big-Ball
Men’s B Singles:
Peter Tran (USA/Washington) bt
Nicholas Anthony (IRL/Kilkenny) 21-2, 21-5
Big-Ball
Women’s B Singles:MarikeBeckers
(Netherlands) bt
Patricia Doyle (IRL/Wicklow) 21-1, 21-10