Handball News

TYDAVNET HANDBALL

JUVENILE CLUB LEAGUES

The semi-finals and final of the group 3 handball league took place on Thursday night last with a very high standard in all three matches. In the first semi-final, Killian Sherry played Conor McMahon and Killian won in two straight games 15 – 12 and 15 – 9. There was not much between these players but Killian has being taking part in the county championships for a few years now and this bit of experience stood to him. Conor played very well but was unable to pressurise Killian into making mistakes but he will have learned from this match. In the second semi-final, Liam McCague played Ronan King and this was a very hard game to call between two very strong players. The first game was a real battle but Liam managed to win 15-14 after switching to a three walled serve that caused Ronan a lot of problems. In the second game Ronan really gave it everything and won 15-12. Then in the third and deciding game Liam reverted to the three walled serve and won a nail biter 15-14. The final thus saw Killian Sherry playing Liam McCague and once again a very close game was in prospect. Both players did not disappoint with another 3 game cliff hanger that was played to a very high standard. The battle ebbed and flowed from start to finish and in the end, Killian, after losing the first game 13 – 15, proceeded to win the next two 15-11 and 15-14. It was probably his ability to hit good roof shots at crucial times that won him the shield. Well done to 14 players who took part in this league and it must be said that the sportsmanship in the semi-finals and final was top class and there were no losers only winners.

Tonight (Thursday) the group 2 semi-finals and final for the Jack Murphy perpetual shield will take place at 7pm between James Curley v Fintan Hackett and Conor Mohan v Adrian Grew.

BAWN HANDBALL

Well done to Eugene mc Geough on winning his All Ireland U16 Singles semi final last sat 25th in Tyrone

v Sligo’s Jason Earlis, this proved to be hard battle for Eugene after he lost the first game 21-14 but he went into the 2nd with all guns blazing  and soon had a 15-6 lead , at this stage both players picked up a injury while diving for a ball but they soon were ok to continue and Eugene kept the pressure on winning 21-8. it was down to a tie break to 11 and Eugene wasn’t going to let  this match get away from him ,playing to his full potential he won 11-3. He now plays Colin Corbett (clare) in the all Ireland finalsun 8th April in Kilkenny . Thanks to all who donated to our church gate collection last weekend , we are one of the few stand alone clubs in the country and all support is greatly appreciated

HARPS HANDBALL

Terry Mc Elvaney failed to land the Under 21 Singles All-Ireland title last Sunday when he lost over two games to a very fit and skillful Patrick Funchion from the Kells club in Kilkenny.  There wasn’t much to choose between the two players in the first game which was quite close.  Funchion easily took the second game as Terry wilted from the constant long rallies and superb killshots from the Kilkenny player.  The scores were 21-13 and 21-8.  Hard luck Terry and congratulations on a fine achievement in reaching the final.  Next week Terry gets another shot in the Under 21 Doubles final.
There was great news for our juvenile players who were involved in the Ulster Cumann na mBunscol competition.  After several hours of play all six Harps players had reached the finals. There was agonising defeat in the Under 13 doubles final when Justas and Cailean lost out to Tyrone in a third game decider.  We had high hopes in the Under 11 Singles with Eoghan Mc Ginnity in superb form.  However he came up against a very strong Lorcan Mc Bride from Tyrone.  The first game was won on the scores of 11 to 3.  Eoghan came so close to bringing the match to a decider when he played superbly to lead by 9 to 6.  The Tyrone player eventually got back in to serve and won 11-9.
Congratulations to Jakub Szkup and Konrad Koval who won the Under 11 Doubles final with an excellent performance against Tyrone.  Konrad served magnificently and Jakub used his favourite passing shots to put the opposition under pressure.  They won both games with ease. There was further delight for the travelling supporters when Ryan Mooney, who had been playing great handball in the earlier rounds, won the Under 13 Singles final with a two-game victory over Cavan. Ryan showed all his array of shots to dominate the final.  Ryan, Jakub and Konrad will now represent Ulster at the National Handball Day in April.

MELLANS HANDBALL

Double Doubles All-Ireland Finals. Congratulations to Christopher Mc Kenna(D) and Terry Mc Elvaney who have made the U21 All Ireland Doubles final after they won their semi-final Tuesday week past, they beat Cian Connolly & Darren Beattie from Roscommon 21-20, 21-17 in what was a very tight affair, now they face Kilkenny duo Patrick & Peter Funchion. This leaves an all Monaghan bill in Mullingar Saturday coming the 31stwhich also includes our other 2 boys Eamon Todd & Christopher Mc Kenna’s(PJ) in the Junior B All Ireland Doubles Final who play Darren O Toole & Malachy Whelan Wexford and fulfilling the days action is Terry Keirnan(Cmx) & James Gavaghan(Corduff) who will be playing in the Junior Doubles final against Paul Moran & Niall O’ Connor Kildare, games are marked to start at 1pm, so good luck to all involved, all the boys hope as many people as possible could travel down to support them. We are running a bus to the final which leaves St.Mellans Saturday morning 10am approx, anyone wishing to travel down must contact Kevin Treanor(B) no later than tonight (Thursday). Everybody would like to wish all the boys the best of luck on Saturday.

Table Quiz. The Handball Committee would like to thank everybody who came down to support our table quiz, we all hope that all who came had an enjoyable night, we would like to thank Anna-Rose and Bridget for helping out with the food, all who donated spot prizes and all who helped out in any way on the night.

Adult County Doubles Championships. We have several sets of player’s which have made county doubles finals, in the Nov4 Frank Mc Kenna & Damien Mc Clave, and in Nov3 Kevin Treanor & Patrick Mc Kenna are there and this could see Frank in No3 and Patrick in Nov3 claiming both titles singles and doubles, still all Finals TBC. Good luck to all involved.

Adult Club Championships. Only the adult club singles finals have been played over last weekend, in The Gola Singles Final Ryan Treanor(T) took on his friend and playing partner Niall Rooney, yet again this proved to be another tight affair but Niall ran out victorious on a score line of 14-21, 21-11, 21-8. The only other final to be finished was the The Silverhill Singles Cup, which was between Eamon Todd and Christopher Mc Kenna’s (PJ), Eamon won this tussle on another 3 game match 21-14, 19-21, 21-3. Both doubles final have yet to be played, The Coalisland Fireplaces final between Ian Treanor & Kevin Treanor V Christopher Mc Kenna(PJ) & Barry Treanor was abandoned in the first game at 21-18 due Kevin receiving a foot injury, this has to be replayed, and the Highhouse Doubles was also postponed due to John Thomas Treanor receiving an injury at football it also has to be re-fixed, all will be notified when all is set.

Juvenile Club Leagues. The remaining juvenile final The Kerry League final between Aaron Mohan and Ryan Mohan was played last week which concluded with a victory for Aaron 15-9, 7-15, 15-11 this goes to show yet again nothing much separates these pair of boys, well done all. Photos of all finalists will be published over the next few weeks along with the notes so keep an eye out for your picture. As all coaches have brought down the curtain on the juvenile club season we ask that during the summer months for all juveniles to try to keep playing a little bit of handball as this would stand to them greatly for next years season when it begins, remember parents if there are any wet evenings (of which I am sure there will be) send them down to the alleys.

Community Games. Good luck to our U15 team who now start playing in the Ulster round of games shortly.

Feile Na Gael. We have entered a 6-man team into Feile na Gael and will begin training with these boys shortly to keep them in shape as the competition approaches.

Prize Draw. We will be approaching club members if they would be interested in buying a ticket for the handball council, there are some brilliant prizes for the individuals and also for the club, all will be explained before purchasing.