Handball News: Connacht B Champ News | Connacht Adult 4-Wall Singles Champ Roundup | Brady Turns on the Style in Sligo

Leitrim’s juvenile 4-wall season concluded on Saturday morning last when a 12 strong team of up-and-coming Handball players competed in the Connacht B Doubles championships in Roscommon, Lisacul and Claremorris.

For most it was their first experience of playing competitively in Connacht. By all accounts everybody did brilliantly with all their hard work and training throughout the season coming to fruition. These young players will have learned a huge amount from their experiences on Saturday last and with continued practice, patience and coaching, they will be names to watch for in the next few years.  Keep up the good work.

A special word of thanks to all the juvenile coaches in Annaduff, Fenagh, Drumshanbo, and Manorhamilton clubs for giving all their time over the winter, as well as their dedication and enthusiasm for growing the game of Handball in Leitrim.

Maith sibh!

Manorhamilton’s Joel Smith was in Connacht 4-Wall Singles Championship action last weekend when he played Roscommon’s Darragh O’Gara in their Silver Masters B quarter final on Saturday evening in Collooney .  Despite his best efforts, the Roscommon man got the better of Joel this time proceeding to the semi-final on a 21-9. 21-7 score line.

Connacht 4-Wall Singles Championship continues next weekend with two more Leitrim competitors entering at semi-final stage.  Fenagh’s Barry McDonagh will play Mayo’s Vinnie McLoughlin in their Masters B semi-final match, and Ed Lee will take on an opponent in the Ruby Masters grade.

Venue details and time, as well as competition results can be tracked online at https://knowthescore.ie/

Best of Luck Barry and Ed.

The oneills.com 4-wall Senior Singles All Ireland Championship presented an enthralling encounter last weekend between the ever-present 45-year-old Paul Brady from Cavan and the young pretender Cormac Finn from Sligo. Played before a full house in Collooney on Friday evening last, Brady who is 6 time and current world champion, utilized his impressive armoury of exception mobility, unbelievable serving and above all else quite incredibly accurate killing of the ball from every part of the court to see off his much younger competitor. Cormac, to his credit did pull off some exceptional shots against the maestro, however there weren’t just enough of these magic moments and the Cavan man took the match on a 21-4. 21-9 score line.

For Leitrim Handball fans it was an opportunity to see the world champion play on their doorstep. Young player Adam Neary from Annaduff was there, and after the match took the opportunity to have his photo taken with and chat with the great man. But better was to come when Paul produced a signed jersey for Adam to bring home with him, making the occasion a very memorable one for Adam.

Paul Brady will play Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy in the Men’s Senior Singles Semi-final in Croke Park on Saturday afternoon next.