60×30 HANDBALL
The 2014 60×30 handball season came to an end last week-end for Monaghan Handball players. The County were contesting two All-Ireland Semi-Final Doubles matches. In the first match, Michael Clerkin and Peter Duffy , Bawn were taking on John Roche and Damien Kelly, Wexford in the Masters B Doubles competition in Kingscourt. Michael Clerkin was hoping for home court advantage to avenge his defeat by John Roche in Wexford the previous week-end.
The match started out in favour of the farney boys who were well used to the Kingscourt alley. Michael Clerkin was in top form and serving well and covering alot of the court. His partner, Peter Duffy, who came in as a last minute substitute for Michael’s regular partner John Mc Geough, after being injured in the Ulster Singles competition was combining well to trouble the Wexford pairing. The Monaghan lads took the first game 21-15. In the second game, Wexford started to show the class that the County is renowned for in 60×30 neither Michael or Peter could combat the power and skills of their opponents and lost the second game. In the third game, Wexford came out of the starting blocks with all guns blazing and established a lead that was difficult to come back against. Michael and Peter continued to fight gallantly, but unfortunately it was Wexford’s day and they took the match.
In the second All-Ireland semi-final, Conor Mc Donnell, Monaghan Harps, and Pete Larkin, Emyvale were contesting the Golden Masters A Doubles category. Conor was hoping to shed the disappointment of his singles defeat the previous week-end. the boys were taking on Robert Mc Carthy, and Liam Cassidy, Westmeath in Mullingar. The match started out with both side making some basic errors, but the Westmeath pairing soon gathered momentum and established a fine lead. Conor and Pete did the best they could, but the knowledge of the local court and the combined skills of the Westmeath players were extremely difficult to combat, and they easily ran out winners in the first game. The pattern of the first game continued in the second game, and neither Monaghan player had any answer for the skills and court craft from the Westmeath duo, who closed out the match in spectacular fashion.
On reflection over the 2014 season, it is clear that the big 60×30 Court game is suffering in Ulster. Perhaps, the lateness in the season is one reason, bearing in mind that our players have been playing three different Courts since last October. The One-Wall Court season in June/July appears to be affecting the 60×30 game also. But one thing is for sure, that unless Monaghan and Ulster players get playing regular top quality opposition in the 60×30 Court it will be difficlut to achieve All-Ireland success. Hopefull, all our 60×30 players enjoy a wekkor two off before returning to the County Leagues in the smaller 40×20 courts next month.
Monaghan County Handball would like to wish Donegal Senior and Minor teams the best of luck this week-end in the All -Ireland Football final. A good Ulster result on the day will bring back a smile to Conor’s face after a few disappointing handball results.
Pete Larkin & Conor Mc Donnell with Robert Mc Carthy & Liam Cassidy
MELLANS HANDBALL
Juvenile Registration. As we try to get the juvenile coaching and play up and running we will have juvenile registration on tomorrow evening (Friday) the 19th of September @ 7:30pm, we also have a bit of coaching for an hour or so for any that want to come down and try out handball for the first time, old and new welcome, both boys & girls, same rates as last year 5 euro per child, goggles are essential, no entry into the alley without goggles.
AGM. The club will be holding the AGM on Tuesday the 30th of September and we would like to ask people of the area to consider coming on board this term to help out, as the club grows steadily bigger each year the amount of organising events leagues etc also increases, so as the old saying goes “many hands make light work”.
Committee Meeting. There will be a committee meeting next Monday evening coming the 22nd of September @ 8:30pm sharp all please attend as set about organising the coming year and the 40 year celebrations, the club will be having a launch night to kick start the 40 year celebrations in St.Mellans on Friday evening the 26th of September @ 8:30pm,we hope to have all the original and the existing committee there on the night, all welcome.
