eircom Handball Report 2011

Gael Linn Cup Final - at O'Loughlin's Kilkenny 21.01.12

Michael Breathnachs Galliamh (Cian O Conghaile, Majella Nic Dhonncha)
dft Williamstown Galliamh (Nathan Feeney, Heather Spellman) 44-32

Pictured left
Majella Nic Dhonncha and Cian O Conghaile, Michael Breathnachs
Gael Linn Cup Winners 2012

Tournament Reports - See below for Munster Juvenile Report/ Eircom Report / Broadford Tournament Results

Curraghboy 40x20 Doubles Tournament New Year's Day 2012

Moycullen’s young duo of Martin Mulkerrins and Seamus O’Conghaile were victorious in the annual Curraghboy Doubles Tournament played on Sunday 1st January.

They collected the Pake Doyle Cup after a brilliant final display versus fellow Galwaymen Pat Conway and Declan Connaughton of Williamstown. The action was nip and tuck all the way to the end with a few magnificent spin serves from Mulkerrins gaining the final 3 aces. The Moycullen duo showed their class right from the first round and showed why they were so successful in the minor grade in 2011.

In the plate final, Ballymoe’s Lorcan Maughan and Neil McDermott defeated Sligo’s Francis McCann and Shane Bruen.

Well done to all the hard working committee in Curraghboy on a well-run tournament, especially Seamus McHugh and the beautiful crystal trophies presented. Thanks to St Coman’s for use of the court for plate games and lastly to all the players who made the effort to travel to play.

Results

1st Round: Darren Beatty/Aengus Cunningham dft P Daveron/P Lawlor, M Mulkerrins/S O’Conghiale dft N McDermott/L Maughan, M Raftery/D Wrynn dft JJ Farraghe/M Duggan, C O’Brien/M O’Brien dft O Naughten/P Kelly

Quarter Finals: Cunningham/Beatty dft D Doolin/G Walshe, Mulkerrins/O’Conghaile dft B Mullins/J Guilfoyle, Conway/Connaughton dft F McCann/S Bruen, O’Brien/O’Brien dft Raftery/Wrynn.

Semi Finals: McCann/Bruen dft Doolin/Walshe, McDermott/Maughan dft Naughten/P Kelly

Quarter Finals: McCann/Bruen dft Raftery/Wrynn, McDermott/Maughan dft Davoren/Lawlor, Naughten/Kelly dft Duggan/Farragher, Doolin/Walshe dft Mullins/Guilfoyle.

Semi Finals: Mulkerrins/O’Conghaile dft Cunningham/Beatty, Conway/Connaughton dft O’Brien/O’Brien

Pake Doyle Cup Final: M Mulkerrins/S O’Conghaile dft P Conway/D Connaughton 31-20

Plate Final: N McDermott/L Maughan dft F McCann/S Bruen


Parke Doyle Cup Winners Martin Mulkerrins & Seamus O Conghaile	Declan Connaughton and Ollie conway with Michael McDonnell Curraghboy Handball Club

Neil McDeromtt, Michael McDonnell and Lorcan Maughan plate winners	Michael McDonnell with Francis McCann and Shane Bruen

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MUNSTER JUNIOR HANDBALL OPEN 2012 Report - with thanks to Fergal Coughlan

The cream of Munster Juvenile handball were on show in Liscarroll, Co. Cork last week. This tournament has been organised every year for well over a decade under the stewardship of Timmy Healy of Liscarroll and his band of helpers. This event down through the years has shown the young talent that is evident throughout Ireland. Former champions include the recently crowned US National Champions, namely Colin Corbett and Colin Crehan of Clare.

This year the tournament had in excess of 40 competitors in the under 13 category and in excess of 30 in the under 15 category. Games got underway on Wednesday and concluded on New Year’s Day with the semi finals and finals in each category.

Throughout the week the crowd of followers were entertained with some fine games and out of a total of 76 games played the young contenders were whittled down to semi-final stages in both the under 13 and 15 categories.

New Year’s Day 2012 and the first juvenile champions were about to be crowned in what is now the biggest attended juvenile competition(held by a club) in Ireland. The first semi final of the day pitted Fergal Coughlan of Clooney HC Clare against Ricky Bolton of Tuamgraney HC, Clare in the under 15 division. Aces were exchanged on a number of occasions but in the end Coughlan proved too powerful for young Bolton and won on a 15-7, 15-8.

Next up saw Tulla’s Brian Fahy take on O’Callaghans Mills player Jacob Loughnane. Loughnane was using his power arsenal to try and snatch victory from Young Fahy, but the Tulla contender proved too cunning in the end and ran out winner on a convincing 15-5, 15-6 scoreline. The first of the under 13 semi finals saw Clarecastle’s Jack Hayes square up against Ballyporeens big hitter Jason English. This match proved to be a nip and tuck affair with English clinching the first game by the narrowest of margins 15-14. The second game proved to be no different with both players putting every effort into their game but in the end it was young English who snatched victory with a second game win of 15-10.

The second under 13 semi-final saw Tipperary county doubles team mates take each other on, namely Jerome Cahill and Colin Ryan. These two players know each other very well, so it was expected to be a nip and tuck match. Both players were eager to exploit their opponents court weaknesses, and in the end young Cahill was the one to seal victory and set up a final against Ballyporeens Jason English.

The first of the finals was the under 15 division which pitted Brian Fahy of Tulla against Fergal Coughlan of Clooney. Both players have met on numerous occasions so were only too aware of each others weaknesses. It was Coughlan who got off the blocks at high speed and raced to a 8 -0 lead. Fahy clawed his way back into contention in the first game at 13-10. Coughlan had the serve and clinched the first game with some clinical serve and kill shots to win 15-10. In the second game young Fahy found his stride and won 15-8. The tie break proved to be all coughlans and with some superb offensive and defensive play he outclassed young Fahy with a convincing 7-0 win to claim the under 15 Munster open juvenile title.

The under 13 final also proved to be a close encounter of two young Tipperary stars, namely Jerome Cahill and Jason English.

The first game went to English 15-10, while the second game proved to be a cliff hanger of a game. English had the game and match in his grasp, but young Cahill had other ideas and snatched the second game 15-12. It was all Cahill in the tie break decider as Cahill claimed victory and the Munster under13 juvenile open.

Broadford Tournament Results 27.10.11 ( Approx scores)
Q-F
T Healy/ D Lynch bt S Devine/ S O Tuama 21-20,21-18
D Keegan/S Cooney bt R McCarthy/ J Willoughby 21-17,8-21,11-4
P Brady/ J McCann bt V Moran/ B Fleming 21-19,21-16
CJ Fitzpatrick/S O Carroll bt C Jordan/ M Gregan 21-17,21-8
S-F
fitz/o carroll bt healy/lynch 21-13, 8-21,11-8
brady/mc cann bt keegan/cooney 21-16,18-21,11-2
FINAL Paul Brady, Joe McCann bt C J Fitzpatrick, Seamus O’Carroll 21-10,21-14

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Annual eircom Tournament 2011 - St. Joseph's Wexford - Report by Paddy Collins

The Eircom Handball Finals returned to St Josephs in Wexford for their annual finals. Our Co-Ordinator Seamus Buggy had everything ready and with players travelling from all regions it was all set up for a great weekend of handball. The format for 2011 was two Divisions 1& 2 of Doubles with games to 20 minutes and played on a round robin basis. Next the draw for partners commenced and it threw up some very interesting pairings.
In Division 1 the pairings were Eamon Conneely & Jimmy Sheridan, Fergal Ryan & Aiden Bell, Liam Bourke & Pat Lacy, Denis Phelan & Pat Collins, Jimmy Heffernan & Padraig Gerathy. In Division 2 the pairings were Tom Prenergast & John Sheridan, Peter Mulryan & Seamus O Fatharta, Michael Coyne & Tom Donoghue, Billy Mc Elroy & Tom Walsh. Some Players were unable to play due to injury & others could not turn up due to work & family commitments .

Photo Left Eamon Conneely, Jim Sheridan , Fergal Ryan, Aidan Bell
Below Liam Burke, Pat Lacy Paddy Collins & Denis Phelan
Bottom Tom Walsh, Billy McElroy Michael Coyne, Tom Donohue

In the Division 1 Round Robin scores were hard to come by and we had some great games. Fergal Ryan & Aiden Bell topped the group beating beating Liam Bourke & Pat Lacey 28-8, Denis Phelan & Pat Collins 24-8, Jim Heffernan & Padraig Gerathy 20-12, and were beaten by Eamon Conneely & Jim Sheridan 14-11. Eamon Conneely & Jim Sheridan Drew their games with Pat Collins & Denis Phelan 20-20 & with Jim Heffernan & Padraig Gerathy 14-14.They beat Liam Bourke & Pat Lacy 22-19. Liam Bourke & Pat Lacy secured a Semi-Final Place beating Denis Phelan & Pat Collins 19-13 & Jim Heffernan & Padraig Gerathy 25-15. The Final place in the Semi-Final was down to the winners of Jim Heffernan & Padraig Gerathy & Denis Phelan & Pat Collins. This was very close with Denis & Pat just shading it 25-18.In Division 2 there were some very big scores recorded . Tom Prendergast & John Sheridan set the pace winning all their Round Robin games in style getting a massive 95 aces and only conceding 42. Peter Mulryan & Seamus O Fatharta were close behind with Tom Donoghue and Michael Coyne just edging out Billy McElroy & Tom Walsh to take 3rd Place. In the Semi Finals Tom Prendergast & John Sheridan Beat Billy McElroy & Tom Walsh 32-13 & Peter Mulryan & Seamus O Fatharta Bt Michael Coyne & Tom Donoghue 36-20.The Final was a close affair as tired limbs struggled to last the pace. In a low scoring final Prendergast & Sheridan just about edged it beating Mulryan & O Fatharta by 20-18. In the Plate final Michael Coyne & Tom Donoghue beat Billy Mc Elroy & Tom Walsh 30-23.

n Division 1 Semi Finals Fergal Ryan & Aiden Bell beat Denis Phelan & Pat Collins 33-16. Eamon Conneely & Jim Sheridan Beat Liam Bourke & Pat Lacy 24-11.In a very Close final Conneely & Sheridan Beat Ryan & Bell 14-11. In the plate final Bourke & Lacy Beat Phelan & Collins 19-14. Well done to all the players who took part and thanks to all who refereed the games . A special thanks to Eileen Lacy for looking after the refreshments throughout the day.

At a function held in the Drinagh Court Hotel the Eircom Handball Chairman Michael Coyne welcomed all the players and guests . The event was a great success and there were some great games of handball during this years event. Michael thanked the St Josephs Club for the use of their wonderful facilities and welcomed the Club representitives Chairman Ritchie Culleton, Ned & Gavin Buggy. Michael Thanked our Sponsors eircom Credit Union, Claremorris Sports & Social Club, Castlebar Sports & Social Club, Martin Jennings Inch Bar Ballinrobe, Brian Gilhooley (Wex), Richie Browne (Wex), Willie Tyrell (Social Club Wex) & Robert Doyle (Wex). He thanked the Management & Staff of the Drinagh Court hotel for a lovely meal and their hospitality over the weekend. Michael Coyne made the Presentation to the winners and runners up and the evening was rounded off with music ,song & storytelling led by a most capable Fear a Tí Michael Coyne with music provided by Brendan Ennis & Pat Collins. We all look forward to the World Championships in City West (Dublin) in October and closely followed by the eircom finals in November 2012.
Pat Collins (National Secretary)

The Eircom Handball Finals returned to St Josephs in Wexford for their annual finals. Our Co-Ordinator Seamus Buggy had everything ready and with players travelling from all regions it was all set up for a great weekend of handball. The format for 2011 was two Divisions 1& 2 of Doubles with games to 20 minutes and played on a round robin basis. Next the draw for partners commenced and it threw up some very interesting pairings. In Division 1 the pairings were Eamon Conneely & Jimmy Sheridan, Fergal Ryan & Aiden Bell, Liam Bourke & Pat Lacy, Denis Phelan & Pat Collins, Jimmy Heffernan & Padraig Gerathy. In Division 2 the pairings were Tom Prenergast & John Sheridan, Peter Mulryan & Seamus O Fatharta, Michael Coyne & Tom Donoghue, Billy Mc Elroy & Tom Walsh. Some Players were unable to play due to injury & others could not turn up due to work & family commitments . Photo Left Eamon Conneely, Jim Sheridan , Fergal Ryan, Aidan Bell Below Liam Burke, Pat Lacy Paddy Collins & Denis Phelan Bottom Tom Walsh, Billy McElroy Michael Coyne, Tom Donohue
	In the Division 1 Round Robin scores were hard to come by and we had some great games. Fergal Ryan & Aiden Bell topped the group beating beating Liam Bourke & Pat Lacey 28-8, Denis Phelan & Pat Collins 24-8, Jim Heffernan & Padraig Gerathy 20-12, and were beaten by Eamon Conneely & Jim Sheridan 14-11. Eamon Conneely & Jim Sheridan Drew their games with Pat Collins & Denis Phelan 20-20 & with Jim Heffernan & Padraig Gerathy 14-14.They beat Liam Bourke & Pat Lacy 22-19. Liam Bourke & Pat Lacy secured a Semi-Final Place beating Denis Phelan & Pat Collins 19-13 & Jim Heffernan & Padraig Gerathy 25-15. The Final place in the Semi-Final was down to the winners of Jim Heffernan & Padraig Gerathy & Denis Phelan & Pat Collins. This was very close with Denis & Pat just shading it 25-18.In Division 2 there were some very big scores recorded . Tom Prendergast & John Sheridan set the pace winning all their Round Robin games in style getting a massive 95 aces and only conceding 42. Peter Mulryan & Seamus O Fatharta were close behind with Tom Donoghue and Michael Coyne just edging out Billy McElroy & Tom Walsh to take 3rd Place. In the Semi Finals Tom Prendergast & John Sheridan Beat Billy McElroy & Tom Walsh 32-13 & Peter Mulryan & Seamus O Fatharta Bt Michael Coyne & Tom Donoghue 36-20.The Final was a close affair as tired limbs struggled to last the pace. In a low scoring final Prendergast & Sheridan just about edged it beating Mulryan & O Fatharta by 20-18. In the Plate final Michael Coyne & Tom Donoghue beat Billy Mc Elroy & Tom Walsh 30-23.
n Division 1 Semi Finals Fergal Ryan & Aiden Bell beat Denis Phelan & Pat Collins 33-16. Eamon Conneely & Jim Sheridan Beat Liam Bourke & Pat Lacy 24-11.In a very Close final Conneely & Sheridan Beat Ryan & Bell 14-11. In the plate final Bourke & Lacy Beat Phelan & Collins 19-14. Well done to all the players who took part and thanks to all who refereed the games . A special thanks to Eileen Lacy for looking after the refreshments throughout the day. At a function held in the Drinagh Court Hotel the Eircom Handball Chairman Michael Coyne welcomed all the players and guests . The event was a great success and there were some great games of handball during this years event. Michael thanked the St Josephs Club for the use of their wonderful facilities and welcomed the Club representitives Chairman Ritchie Culleton, Ned & Gavin Buggy. Michael Thanked our Sponsors eircom Credit Union, Claremorris Sports & Social Club, Castlebar Sports & Social Club, Martin Jennings Inch Bar Ballinrobe, Brian Gilhooley (Wex), Richie Browne (Wex), Willie Tyrell (Social Club Wex) & Robert Doyle (Wex). He thanked the Management & Staff of the Drinagh Court hotel for a lovely meal and their hospitality over the weekend. Michael Coyne made the Presentation to the winners and runners up and the evening was rounded off with music ,song & storytelling led by a most capable Fear a Tí Michael Coyne with music provided by Brendan Ennis & Pat Collins. We all look forward to the World Championships in City West (Dublin) in October and closely followed by the eircom finals in November 2012. Pat Collins (National Secretary)