ULSTER ONE-WALL HANDBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.
This years Ulster OneWall championships took place in Loughmacrory last weekend. It coincided with the official opening of their new state of the art Handball complex which features three covered one-wall courts, new gym and changing facilities and refurbished 40×20 all on the picturesque banks of the lake. 160 of Ulsters top handballers battled all weekend in the glorious sunshine with the cream rising to the finals on Sunday. The event attracted large spectator crowds and a great weekend was had by all. Platters representing Monaghan were, Darren Doherty, Gavin Coyle, Paul Cassidy, Martin Mc Entee, Jakup Skzup ,Eoghan Mc Ginniy, Justas Dambinskas, Konrad Kowal , Louise Mc Ginnity and Sean Callan.
Congratulations to Eoghan mc Ginnity after he won the boys Under 12 Ulster provincial One wall Singles . Eoghan breezed through the opening rounds into the final and we all expected a tough final from Cahir Munroe, Tyrone. Eoghan continued his impressive form throughout the final and cast aside his opponent in his stride. The gold medal was Eoghan’s and was well deserved. It was over so quick, that one particular Monaghan Harps man missed it whilst yapping to a few Tyrone people!!!!. That’s another story. Well done Eoghan from all at Monaghan Harps. Presentation photo will be uploaded shortly.
Monaghan Harps was well represented in the competition. Martin Mc Entee took part in the Golden Masters competition, but ran in to stiff opposition from Paul Cassidy, Tydavnet, who edged past him in a very close encounter 17-13. Martin then met Brian Havern, Down, the experienced one-waller, and could not match Brian’s one-wall skills on the day. Martin would have preferred to be having an extended holiday by the River Seine and listening to Edith Piaf.!!!!!.
We expect, Martin will bounce back for the 60×30 season shortly.
Louise Mc Ginnity and Sean Callan accounted for themselves well in the Girls and Boys Under 12 event without success. But both of them impressed some of the large crowd of onlookers, and we have no doubt they are faces for the future. Sean is only ten years of age, and it was his first taste of Ulster competition. Well done.
In the Boys under 14 event, Justas Dambinskas, Jakub Sczup and Konrad Kowal all took part in matches on Saturday. Jakub played well in his first match and got through to the next round, but fell just short by a scoreline of 15-17. Justas had a good win over Caoilean Mc Cartan in the first round after a nervous start. But he held his nerve to edge past Caoilean. In the next round, Justas came up against Dara Curran, Tyrone, who had been very impressive in his first round against Down opposition. Once again, Justas had a very nervous start, but fought back gallantly to level the match. There was only two minutes left on the clock and Justas got in to serve and got in to the lead. The Monaghan support felt that Justas had done enough to secure the gold, but miraculously the Tyrone player regained serve and took the match by the finest of margins. It was heartbreak for the ever popular young Harps player. It was a bad experience but we know Justas will be back. Konrad Kowal took on Aaron Owens, Tyrone in the first round and the Tyrone player capitalised by playing to Konrad’s weaker left hand. Konrad served well and kept within close range of the local player throughout the first half of the match, but in the second half, Konrad just could not get in front and lost out by three points. He then went into the plate competition on Sunday adn won his first match, but eventually lost in the semi-final to the eventual winner, Tim Prenter of Tyrone.
Congratulations to Paul Cassidy, Tydavnet who reached the final of the Golden Masters competition ,losing in a tie-breaker against Sean Mc Nally, Down.
Gavin Coyle, Bawn played extremely well but was knocked out by Johnny Woods, Tyrone. Darren Doherty, Emyvale lost out to Johnny Woods, Tyrone in the main competition, but went on to the plate final where he ended up as runner-up.
The entire event was well represented by Monaghan Harps players and it is good preparations for the National One Wall competition in Breaffy house next week-end. The new facility at Loughmacrory holds three covered indoor one-wall courts, and is a credit to the Clubs and Community. Many thanks to Loughmacrory Handball Club, Paula Clarke. referees, time-keepers and caterers and anyone else who helped make the event such a success.
St.Mellans Handball Feile Team
We entered a team into The 2014 Feile, which was played over weekend 21st & 22nd of June in Savel Newry. The St Mellans team played in Grade 4, the team was Packie Mc Meel (capt) brothers Connor & Cian McGuire, Ryan Harnett and another pairing of brothers in Ryan & Ronan Boyle, we were up against Kells of Killkenny and St Pats Cavan in our section. Connor and Cian McGuire played first against a very strong Killkenny team losing 21-2, Ryan Harnett &Ryan Boyle played next losing 21- 4.
The second game was against St Pats Cavan a tighter game we won on count back. Packie McMeel & Connor McGuire lost 21 – 11, next game Ryan Harnett & Ryan Boyle won 21 – 9. This put St Pats Cavan into the plate competition (which they won) and St Mellans into the semi final.
In the Semi final we faced Cashel Handball Club. Packie McMeel & Ronan Boyle lost to a very strong pair 21 – 3, in the second game Ryan Harnett & Ryan Boyle won 21-16 in a much closer game, but on the count back we were out of the competition.
The whole outing was a very worth while experience for all that took part and they must be commended on attendance for the training leading up to the Feile.
The club would like to thank Geraldine and Ciaran for transporting the team to parade in Armagh Fri evening 21st and to the venue in Saval in Newry and also to John and all the other coaches who gave up their time in this busy time of year to help the boys.
