Handball News: Connacht Gael Linn Handball success – Cumann Na mBunscol Final’s – Sophie for Leitrim Sports star

Connacht Gael Linn Handball success for Fenagh’s Ruairi and Sophie.

Huge congratulations to Ruairi Mc Kiernan & Sophie Kane who won the Gael Linn 40×20 mixed doubles Connacht final hosted in Collooney Co. Sligo on Sunday last.

Representing their club Fenagh and Leitrim Handball in this novel competition, Ruairi and Sophie entered the alley in Collooney with strong ambition based on their recent form.  Each round was played over three matches consisting of a boy’s singles match, a girl’s singles, match and a mixed doubles match. In their quarter final tussle, the  Fenagh duo went about their business methodically to see off a Claregalway combination by an aggregate scoreline of 43-25 over the three matches.

Playing a duo from Bofield Co. Mayo in the semi-final, the Fenagh combination were made to work all the way through an epic three match marathon which took almost an hour to decide! With everything to play for Ruairi and Sophie needed to get a result from their mixed doubles match!  Bofield took an early 12:4 lead however unperturbed the Fenagh duo rallied superbly playing magnificent handball to take the match on a 15:12 scoreline. This was just enough to see them through to the final by the bare minimum aggregate score of 41:40!

Buoyed up by their tough semi-final games, the Fenagh combination met a formidable brother-sister combination from Moycullen Co, Galway in the Final. Watched on by a full house in Collooney,  Ruairi and Sophie played with confidence and composure in their singles matches beating their opponents by an aggregate score of 30-7 meaning they couldn’t be caught in the doubles match, and the Connacht Gael Linn title was coming to Leitrim.

Ruairi and Sophie now go on to represent Fenagh and Leitrim in the Gael Linn All Irelands finals in the national handball centre in Croke Park in  two weeks’ time.   The first Croke Park appearance for Leitrim in 2025!

 


County Leitrim Cumann Na mBunscol Final’s 2025

Drumshanbo handball alley in the Mayflower was standing room only on Sunday afternoon last for the 2025 Leitrim Cumann na mBunscol Finals.  Seven schools from across the county competed in boys and girls singles and doubles competitions in under 11 and under 13 categories. In what was their first competitive outing for many, all participants showed off great skill and confidence in the alley and their schools and handball clubs can be very proud of their accomplishments.

Pick of the matches on the day was the boys u13 singles final when Mark MacShera representing St Patricks NS Drumshanbo, and Ruairi McKiernan for St Bridget’s NS Drumcong served up a top-class display of handball with some astounding rallies.  However, Mark did enough to ensure the gold medal stayed in Drumshanbo this year. Also, the u13 boys doubles final served up a thriller when the clock ran out with only a single score dividing the St Brigids NS pairing of Sam Conroy and Kian McNabola from the Annaduff dynamic duo of Conor Cox and Enda Sharkey.

In line with the national renaissance in handball it was also exciting to see additional Leitrim schools rejoin this year’s event when Darragh Sutherland who trains with Annaduff Handball club represented Bornacoola NS in the boys u11 singles competition.

A big thank you to all the coaches, parents and teachers who prepared the children so brilliantly for Sunday, and to all in Drumshanbo Handball who looked after everyone so well on the day.

Congratulations to all the winners who now go forward to represent their schools and Leitrim in the Connacht Cumann na mBunscol finals in March.

 

Leitrim Cumann na mBunscol Finals 2025  

Drumshanbo – Feb 2nd

U11 Boys Single Semi-Final

Adam Sharkey (Annaduff NS) dft. Darren Sutherland (Bornacoola NS)

U11 Boys Single Final

Ronan Seibert (Gaelscol Chluainin) dft. Adam Sharkey (Annaduff NS)

U11 Boys Doubles Final

 Bríon Cullen & Danann English (St Clare’s NS) dft. Conor Cregan & Gerry Sharkey (Annaduff NS)

U11 Girls Singles Final

Abbie Kane (St Caillin’s NS) bye

U11 Girls Doubles Final

Doireann McKiernan & Eimer McKiernan (St Bridget’s NS) dft. Muireann Cox & Caoimhe Glancy (Annaduff NS)

U13 Boys Singles Semi-final

Ruairi McKiernan (St Bridget’s NS) dft. Padraig Mahon (Annaduff NS)

U13 Boys Singles Final

Mark MacShera (St Patricks NS) dft. Ruairi McKiernan (St Bridget’s NS)

U13 Boys Doubles Semi-Final

 Conor Cox & Enda Sharkery (Annaduff NS) dft. Donnagh McCawley & Sam Rynn (St Clare’s NS)

U13 Boys Doubles Final

Kian McNabola & Sam Conroy (St Bridget’s NS) dft. Conor Cox & Enda Sharkey (Annaduff NS)

U13 Girls Singles Final

Carlene Casserly (St Caillin’s NS) bye

U13 Girls Doubles Final

Kayla Crinnigan & Ciara Conlon (St Caillin’s NS) bye

 


Sophie for Leitrim Sports star.

Best wishes to Fenagh and Leitrim Handball’s Sophie Kane who is nominated in the juvenile category in the  Leitrim Sports Star awards next weekend.  Sophie is a brilliant ambassador for Leitrim Handball and her dedication and commitment to the sport makes her a great role model for all young people in the county.  Go néirí léi.

 

David Mahon
OCP Liathroid Láimhe Liatroma

Handball News: She’s Ace – 2nd Level Schools Finals – Ballinamore TY

Sophie shows She’s Ace in Clare finals.

Well done to Fenagh’s Sophie Kane who reached the semi-final in the 13 and under category of the She’s Ace Handball Festival last weekend

This annual ladies 4-wall championship took place in Clare over two days, and featured top female players from elite level through to the best in juvenile grades from u11 to u17.

In a packed category, with over 50 players vying for success, Sophie played some unbelievably brilliant 4-wall handball on her path to the semi-final. To reach the last 4 is even more remarkable considering that she still has another year left playing in this age group.

Although a final appearance alluded her this year, there is no doubt that Sophie will carry a favourites tag into next year’s competition.

Maith thú Sophie.

Leitrim 2nd Level Schools Finals round up.

Competitive post-primary schools Handball is experiencing a resurgence this year, with the Connacht 2nd level schools 4-wall handball championship returning to the 2025 event calendar. Following a highly competitive county 2nd level championship playoff in Fenagh last week, Leitrim sends seven top juvenile players to represent their schools at the Connacht Finals hosted in Galway venues on Sunday next, January 26th.

Mohill Community College leads the way with four players in the finals. Peter Cox will compete in the Junior (u15) boys singles grade, while Maxim Gilmartin will take part in the 1st year boys singles event. Additionally, Adam Neary and Eoghan Kelly will team up for the 1st year boys doubles competition.

Ballinamore Community School will have Sophie Kane in the 1st year girls singles, and she will also be joined by Ella Crinnigan who will compete in the junior (u15) girls singles. St Clare’s Comprehensive School Manorhamilton will be represented by Cormac Scarff in the Intermediate (U17) boys single competition.

Best of luck to all the players next weekend. Beir Bua!

Ballinamore transition year students try handball.

A big well done to all the transition year students in Ballinamore Community school who had the opportunity to try handball last Friday as part of the GAA Future Leaders Programme.

Clare Conway, the GAA Handball regional development officer for Leitrim, delivered an engaging presentation to the class and demonstrated a variety of simple drills, highlighting the numerous fitness benefits of this fast-paced, skillful, highly entertaining, and fully inclusive sport. She also explained how easy it is to get started— all you need is a ball and a wall.

If you’re a teacher interested in hosting a similar event at your school, or if you’d like to learn more about the benefits of GAA Handball, there will be in-service teacher training in Leitrim later this month. For more information, reach out to Leitrim Handball via their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/LeitrimHandball) or contact your local club in Annaduff, Fenagh, Drumshanbo, or Manorhamilton.

David Mahon
OCP Liathroid Láimhe Liatroma

Annaduff’s Maxim Gilmartin shines in the Shannonside Handball League Finals.

The inaugural Shannonside Winter Handball League drew to an exciting conclusion on Sunday afternoon last with the grand finals up for decision in Fenagh alley. This new event on the local handball calendar saw 32 up and coming handballers from Leitrim and surrounding clubs compete for silverware in 2 divisions. Sunday last was the culmination of over 65 exciting league matches played during the Christmas break in Fenagh, Drumshanbo, and the Leitrim GAA Centre of Excellence in Annaduff.

The marquee A division finals lived up to their billing when four top juvenile players displayed amazing skills and astounding rallies, justifying their places in the finals. Annaduff club rivals Peter Cox and Maxim Gilmartin served up an enthralling match in the first semi-final. Despite Maxim winning these games were a lot closer than the score suggested. Meanwhile, the second semi-final saw Fenagh’s Ruairí McKiernan playing Drumshanbo’s Mark MacShera. These two skilful rivals served up some exciting rallies, but Ruairí edged the match to book his place in the final.

Maxim’s greater age and strength came to the fore in the final as he controlled proceedings for most of the match, however Ruairí did give him plenty to think about at stages with some great serve and return play. Maxim took gold this time, but with continued training Ruairí will be a strong contender in years to come.

Collooney’s Lochlan Walsh played Annaduff’s Enda Sharkey in the B league final with Lochlan taking home the gold to Sligo after a very entertaining match. These are two names to watch out for in the future. The B Plate final was an all Annaduff affair with Padraig Mahon and Rhys Glancy vying for the gold medal. Playing to Cumann na mBunscol rules, Padraig took some early scores off Rhys’ serve to push himself into the lead. Rhys came back strong with some brilliant return play down the centre, however Padraig did just enough to hold him off and take gold.

Although winning medals was a nice bonus, the core aim of this league was to give players an opportunity to improve their skillsets and confidence in a competitive environment ahead of their upcoming 4-wall championships. Both beginner and experienced players alike achieved this objective, and it was especially heartening to see so many new players grow in confidence as the league progressed.

A special word of thanks to everyone who helped set up and run the League in Fenagh, Drumshanbo and Annaduff over the last number of weeks. Also thank you to the referees, and to the club committees for arranging food, heat and light in all the venues. Finally, a huge thank you to all the competitors, coaches and parents for making this new league such a big success.

Best of luck to everyone as they go into their respective championship competitions.

Congratulations to all the Shannonside Handball League winners and finalists.

A League:

1st – Maxim Gilmartin (Annaduff)

2nd – Ruairí McKiernan (Fenagh)

3rd – Peter Cox (Annaduff)

Runner Up – Mark MacShera (Drumshanbo)

 

B League:

1st – Lochlan Walsh (Collooney)

2nd – Enda Sharkey (Annaduff)

3rd – Abbie Kane (Fenagh)

Runner Up – Doireann McKiernan (Fenagh)

 

B Plate:

1st – Padraig Mahon (Annaduff)

2nd – Rhys Glancy (Annaduff)

3rd – Joe Canning (Drumshanbo)

David Mahon
13/01/2025

 

 

Handball News: European 1-wall title for Fenagh’s Sophie Kane

2025 is less than one week old and Leitrim Handball is already celebrating a rare multiple medal success at international level! Building on their recent World Championships titles, Fenagh’s Kane family augmented their growing reputation in1-wall circles bringing back a gold, silver and bronze medal from the European 1-wall Tour – Junior Open which took place in Menaldum, Netherlands on Friday and Saturday last.

Sophie Kane made short work of a packed international field to claim the girls u13 European title. Entering the arena at 7:30am Friday morning, she put in a sterling performance to cruise through her 4 group and 2 playoff games in under three hours, dropping no more than 4 points in any of her sets! This result cements Sophie’s status as the top u13 girls 1-wall player at European and world level.

Not one to rest on her laurels, on Saturday Sophie renewed her successful world championship doubles partnership with Tipperary’s Molly Joyce. Playing in an U15 category, Sophie and Molly fought off older pairings for a place in the European doubles final. Up against a strong Belgian & English doubles combination in the final, Sophie and Molly gave it their all but finished in second place claiming the European silver medals.

Older sister Katie competed in the European girls u17 singles competition. Flying out of the traps, Katie topped her group beating England’s number 1 player along the way. Despite playing well, Katie bowed out in the semi-final to eventual winner Eloise Clément from Belgium.  A European bronze medal is a magnificent achievement for Katie.

Katie’s younger brother Daniel also participated in the European boys u15 competition. He played exceptionally well, doing enough to exit a tough group and make it to the quarter final stage. A highly commendable achievement in a very packed field.   Well done, Daniel.

Sophie, who is also shortlisted for the Leitrim Junior Sports Individual 2024 award, is the first Leitrim Handballer to achieve international title success since Donal Wrynn back in 2009.
Congratulations and well done to Sophie, Katie, Daniel and all involved in Fenagh Handball. Exciting times ahead.

David Mahon
PRO Leitrim Handball

   

Leitrim Handball Juvenile Christmas League reaches knockout stages

Updated Friday pm:

There was some great action served up in the Handball Juvenile Christmas League – Round 2 qualifiers and B-Plate matches in Fenagh earlier this evening.
Quarter final pairings in the A competition are now decided with Mark, Ruairi, Eoin and Gary progressing to contest Sophie, Daniel, Maxim and Peter for places in the semi-finals later this weekend.
Well done also to Joe and Padraig who played a very entertaining curtain raiser in the B-Plate competition this evening.
Weather permitting, next round of matches are pencilled in for Sunday and Monday evening next.

 

 

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Original News Item:   

 

The Leitrim Handball Juvenile Christmas League reaches knockout stages this weekend in Fenagh, and competition is sure to heat up with some very exciting 2nd round and quarter final fixtures down for decision.

First game at 5pm this evening.

Good Luck to all competing.

 

Latest Handball News 07/03/2019

Last Sunday Leitrim hosted the Connaught A Juvenile Finals in Drumshanbo and Fenagh Handball Clubs. Seven finals were played in Drumshanbo and six in Fenagh. This is the top level of Handball in Connaught and saw players from all 5 Connaught counties coming to Leitrim. The only Leitrim player taking part in the competition was Ciaran McMorrow from Drumshanbo Handball Club. Ciaran was narrowly beaten in the final by Cormac Finn from Sligo and came away with the Silver Connaught Medal.

Leitrim Handball would like to thank all the volunteers who took part in the event, the Referees, the Ladies who provided food and to all the supporters on the day.

Latest Handball News

Connacht 60×30 Finals – Leitrim handballers were involved in two Connacht finals at the weekend, Intermediate singles, and Junior doubles, In the Intermediate final Martin Raftery came up against Galway’s Kevin Craddock. The Galway man completely dominated both games, defeating Martin 21-9, 21-3. The Junior pairing of Leo Logan and Jamie Murray fared no better in the Junior final, coming up against a strong Roscommon pairing of Denis Creaton and Sean Jennings, losing on a score line of 21-7, 21-4. Those finals were played in Williamstown and Collooney respectfully.

Fenagh Handball Club hosted its first All-Ireland Finals on Sunday, the Ladies Intermediate Final (Roscommon v Westmeath) and the Emerald Masters Final (Sligo v Westmeath). The Ladies final was won by Roscommon’s Fiona Tully 7-21, 21-20, 21-9, while the Emerald Masters was won by Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy Snr 21-3, 21-11.
Pictured after The All-Ireland 60×30 Ladies Intermediate Final are Aoife McCarthy and Fiona Tully.
Pictured before the Connacht 60×30 Junior Doubles Final are Sean Jennings, Denis Creaton, Leo Logan and Jamie Murray.
Pictured before the Connacht 60×30 Intermediate Final are Martin Raftery and Kevin Craddock.

Handball News 10/04/2018

The Connaught B Handball Competition has been going on over the last few weeks. Leitrim had a Team of 19 playing in the Competition. We played Sligo and Roscommon in the Quarter and Semi-Finals

Last week saw the finals played in Aughagower in Mayo. Seven Leitrim Players won Silver Medals in Trilling Finals.
Medal Winners
Back Row L/R
Evan Foley, Conor Flood, Ronan Moran, Amy O Donnell
Front Row L/R
Aoibhe Logan, Aoife Nolan, Edel O Donnell.
 

Handball News 11/03/2013

All-Ireland 40×20 Junior B Semi-Final – There was no joy for Jarlath Scollan in the Junior B All-Ireland Semi-Final where he suffered defeat at the hands of Waterford’s Kavan O’Keefe, losing on a scoreline of 5-21, 18-21. Although Jarlath got off to a strong start in the first game going 4-0 up, O’Keefe took control and completely dominated the game with fantastic kill shots and top class serving. The second game started the same way with Scollan again going 4-0 up before losing serve, but unlike the first game, he won some key rallies, keeping the Waterford man under pressure. Trailing 14-19 he regained serve and with an upset looking likely, he lost a crucial rally at 18-19. O’Keefe then edged out a victory taking the game 21-18.
 
Connacht 40×20 Juvenile B Championship – The Connaught B Handball Quarter and Semi-Finals took place in Drumcliffe and Collooney on Sunday. After a great days Handball enjoyed by all, seven Leitrim Players go forward to the Connaught Finals in a Mayo Venue in two weeks. Well Done to all the players who participated in the Semi-Finals. The players going forward to represent Leitrim in the 2018 Connaught final are; Evan Foley, Conor Flood, Ronan Moran, Edel O Donnell, Aoibhe Logan, Amy O Donnell and Aoife Nolan. Best of Luck to all our Handballers.

Handball News

Leitrim handball hosted the Connaught Finals of the Colleges Connaught Finals in Drumshanbo and Fenagh Handball Clubs on Sunday last. 17 Games were played in Total to complete the competition. Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim took part. The competition consisted of four Grades. First Year, Junior, Minor and Senior in Boys and Girls.
Leitrim had 8 players taking part. Ronan Moran, Edel O Donnel, Amy O Donnell, Evan Foley, Dean Cornyn, Karl
Foley all from Drumshanbo Vocational School. Darren Wrynne from Ballinamore Community School. Aoibhe Logan who Played for Ursuline College Sligo.In total, Leitrim players came home with 7 Silver Medals.  Congrats to all. Leitrim Handball would like to thank all the referees and all the people who fed the players and their families on the day as this was the first time this event came to Leitrim.

Hnadball NEWS 20/02/2018

Connacht 40×20 Juvenile A Finals – The Connacht Juvenile A finals were played in Claregalway Co. Galway on Saturday with two Leitrim handballers in action: Ciaran McMorrow (Drumshanbo HC) and Cormac Scollan (Fenagh HC). It wasn’t to be Leitrim’s day with both players coming up against stronger opposition. In the U14 final, Ciaran was defeated by Mikey Kelly (Galway) while In the U16 final Cormac was defeated by Lorcan Conlon (Mayo).

Connacht Junior B Championship – Jarlath Scollan was awarded the Connacht Junior B title after his opponent Jonathan Conroy (Mayo) conceded the final due to injury on Saturday. Jarlath faces Munster opposition in the All-Ireland semi-final on Sunday, March 4th. In the Connacht 40×20 Junior B Doubles quarter-final, Fenagh’s Alan Wrynne and Barry McDonagh take on Stanley Harte and Tony Fox (Sligo) tonight (Wednesday) in Collooney at 8.00pm.
Connacht Colleges B Finals – Leitrim will host the Colleges B finals this Sunday with games being played in Drumshanbo and Fenagh alleys.

Handball News

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Connacht Junior B 40×20 Semi-Final – Fenagh’s Jarlath Scollan booked his place in the Connacht 40×20 Junior B Final with a hard fought victory over Galway’s James Dempsey on Sunday on a scoreline of 12-21, 21-12, 21-11. Although the scoreline doesn’t suggest it, the game was much closer, with long rallies and both players executing some great kill shots.

Connacht Cuman na mBunscol Finals – The Cuman na mBunscol Finals were played in Salthill Co. Galway on Sunday with 5 pupils from St Patrick’s NS Drumshanbo taking part: Aidan Dowler, Aoife Nolan, Daire McCabe, Sean Nolan, and Senan McGowan. Aoife Nolan won a Connacht Bronze Medal in the Girls U13 competition. Well done to all the participants

Leitrim Colleges B 40×20 Final – The Colleges B First Year Doubles final was played in Drumshanbo on Sunday between Darren Wrynne and Paul Flynn (Ballinamore CS) and Dean Cornyn and Karl Foley (Drumshanbo VS). After 2 thrilling games, the Drumshanbo pair came out on top 15 -7  15 – 3.