Leitrim Handball News

Connacht 40×20 Juvenile B Championship 

The Quarter and Semi Finals of the 40×20 Juvenile B Championship were played in Collooney and Castleconnor Handball Alleys in Sligo on Sunday, with Leitrim players in Boys U13 Doubles and Boys U14 Doubles reaching the Connacht Finals. The Fenagh U13 paring of Fergal McLoughlin and James Wrynn comprehensively defeated the Roscommon duo of Adam Samuals and Aaron Dolan 15-0, 15-0 in their semi-final. The Drumshanbo U14 duo of Gareth Gilmartin and Fergal Moran came up against the Roscommon pairing of Ian Duffy and Tommy Drury in the quarter final and defeated them on a score line of 15-13, 15-6, to set up a semi-final meeting with Sligos Darragh Barrins and Aaron Bruen. In a tight match that went to a tie break, the Leitrim lads emerged victorious on a score line of 15-12, 10-15, 15-10. In Boys U11 Drumshanbos Ciaran McMorrow defeated Irslam Yakhyafu (Roscommon) in the quarter final 15-8, 15-12. He came up against Ballymotes Cormac Finn in the semi-final, where he won the first game, lost the second, and despite battling hard he lost the tie break on a score line of 15-10, 5-15, 3-15. In Boys U14 Drumshanbos David Gallagher was defeated by Peter Kirwin (Roscommon) 6-15, 7-15. In Boys U12 Doubles Conor Flood and Sean Lynch (Drumshanbo) were defeated by Ben Carrigan and Luke Powell. There was no joy also for the U11 Doubles pairing of Karol Foley and Dean Cornyn, Ronan Moran (Boys U12), Aoibhe Logan (Girls U11) and Edel ODonnell (Girls U13). The 

 

 

13-Apr-15 by Niall Scollan – Leitrim Handball

Leitrim Handball News

Junior 40×20 Nationals

There was no joy for Leitrims handballers in the 40×20 Junior Nationals at the weekend with all three finalists bowing out after reaching the last 16 in their respective grades. Alan Wrynne (U17) travelled to Clarecastle Co. Clare where he defeated Padraic ODriscoll (Cork) 21-14,21-12. He then took on Jamie Kelly (Galway), for a place in the quarter finals but was defeated on a score of 6-21, 3-21. On the other side of the draw his doubles partner Jarlath Scollan took on Ben Devlin (Louth) in Kingscourt Co. Cavan and won on a score line of 21-19, 21-15. In the next game he came up against All-Ireland U17 Champion Sean Muddiman (Kildare) where he was defeated 12-21, 12-21. Cormac Scollan U13 who was also playing in Kingscourt  defeated Caolan McCartan (Tyrone) 15-13,15-12 in his first round match. In an unusual coincidence he came up against the second Muddiman brother, Jamie
also losing out on a score line of 13-15, 15-13, 5-11.
 
Connacht 40×20 Juvenile B Championship
Leitrim take on Roscommon in the first round of The 40×20 Juvenile B Championship in Collooney on Sunday April 12th.
  

 

 

09-Apr-15 by Niall Scollan – Leitrim Handball

Leitrim Handball News

Leitrim 40×20 Juvenile B Finals

The Leitrim 40×20 Juvenile Finals were played last week in Drumshanbo, with handballers from Fenagh and Drumshanbo taking part. The qualifiers from Drumshanbo HC were: Girls U11 Aoibhe LoganÓgirls U11D Aimie ODonnell and Grace Harding, Girls U13 Edel ODonnell. Boys U11 Ciaran McMorrow, Boys U11D Karol Foley and Dean Cornyn, Boys U12 Ronan Moran, Boys U12D Sean Lynch and Conor Flood, Boys U14 David Gallagher, Boys U14D Fergal Moran and Gareth Gilmartin. Fenaghs winners were: Boys U13 Eoin McLoughlin, Boys U13D Fergal McLoughlin and James Wrynn, Boys U15D James Lennon and Caolan McDermott. Leitrim take on Roscommon in the first round of the Connacht Championship set for April 12th in Collooney.
 
40×20 Junior Nationals
The qualifiers for this years Junior Nationals take place this weekend with three Leitrim players taking part: Jarlath Scollan and Alan Wrynne (U17) and Cormac Scollan (U13). Those who get through will play in the Finals weekend April 18/19th with places on The Ireland Team for the 2015 World Championships in Canada for the winners in the different categories.
 
Habitat For Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a charity that helps provides homes for families in need. On Easter Saturday they are holding a National Bag Packing fundraiser in selected Tesco stores nationwide. Fenagh Handball Club has been selected as Habitats partner club and will hold a Bucket Collection in Tesco Ballinamore this Saturday April 4th.

 

 

30-Mar-15 by Niall Scollan – Leitrim Handball

Leitrim Handball News

All Ireland 40×20 U17 Doubles Semi-Final

The Fenagh duo of Jarlath Scollan and Alan Wrynne narrowly missed out on an All Ireland final place after an exciting semi-final against Clares Jack Hayes and Barry Loughnane played in Roscommon on Friday evening with the Munster champions winning on a score line of 21-14, 21-18. The first game was a lot closer than the score line suggests, with the Leitrim lads having the upper hand in the early exchanges. The Clarecastle clubmen edged ahead midway through the game and though the Leitrim lads battled hard, they were unable to stop the momentum and the Clare lads closed out the game. The second game was even tighter, with the Fenagh lads building up a 6 point lead after some great serving, with both players able to kill the ball. The lead changed hands several times during the match, with the Leitrim lads losing serve 18-17 ahead, and unable to regain control, they lost the game 21-18.

 

 

16-Mar-15 by Niall Scollan – Leitrim Handball

Connacht 40×20 Juvenile Finals

Connacht 40×20 Juvenile Finals

Fenaghs Jarlath Scollan and Alan Wrynne took the Connacht 40×20 U17 Doubles title in Ballinrobe at the weekend, defeating the Galway duo of Aaron Connaughton and Gerard Comer on a score line of 21-5, 21-15. The Leitrim pair won the first game comfortably as the Galway lads found it hard to get to grips with their speed and power. In the second game the Williamstown clubmenÓgot a bit of momentum going with some good serving and impressive kill shots, but when the Leitrim lads got to grips with them, they eased ahead and closed out the game claiming their first Connacht 40×20 Doubles title. They now take on the Munster champions Jack Hayes and Barry Loughnane (Clare). That match is set for Friday evening in St Comans Roscommon at 8.00pm.
 
In the Boys U13 Final Cormac Scollan lost in the tie break 13-15, 15-6, 4-15, to Lorcan Conlon (Mayo). In a very tight first game that ebded and flowed one way and then the other, Scollan was unfortunate to lose serve on 13-13 and Conlon edged ahead to close out the game. In a must win second game, the Fenagh lad had serve which he made good use of, and built up a good lead, which he never relinquished and eased to victory 15-6. The tie-break was a very tense game with Scollan having the upper hand in the early exchanges, however as he started to tire, Conlon took control of the match and went on to win 15-4.

 

 

09-Mar-15 by Niall Scollan – Leitrim Handball

Connacht Cumann na mBunscoil Handball Finals

Connacht Cumann na mBunscoil Finals

St Patricks NS Drumshanbo represented Leitrim at the Connacht Finals played in Salthill at the weekend. The school took home 3 Bronze medals in Boys U11: Ciaran McMorrow (Singles) and Karl Foley and Dean Cornyn (Doubles). In total St Patricks NS had 9 handballers taking part in the Cuman na mBunscoil Connacht Finals: Evan Foley, Amy ODonnell, Dean Cornyn, Edel ODonnell, Emmet Moran, Ronan Moran, Ciaran McMorrow, Aoibhe Logan and Karl Foley.
 
Connacht 40×20 Juvenile Championship
 
In the Connacht Championship there was one Semi-Final played at the weekend. In Boys U13 Fenaghs Cormac Scollan was victorious over Conor Finn (Ballymote) on a score line of 15-1, 15-3. The Connacht Finals are set for this weekend where Cormac will be joined by Jarlath Scollan and Alan Wrynne (U17 Doubles).

 

 

23-Feb-15 by Niall Scollan – Leitrim Handball

Leitrim Handball News

Connacht Colleges 40×20 Championship

The Connacht Colleges 40×20 Finals were played in St Comans HC Roscommon at the weekend. Leitrim was represented by Cormac Scollan 1st Year Singles and Jarlath Scollan and Alan Wrynne Intermediate Doubles (Ballinamore CS) and Fergal Moran and Gareth Gilmartin 1st Year Doubles and David Gallagher and Cathal McGourty Junior Doubles (Drumshanbo VS). In First Year Singles Cormac Scollan defeated Conor Finn (Colaiste Mhuire, Ballymote) 15-10, 15-11 in the semi-final. He came up against Evan ODioluin (Colaiste Cholm Cille, Galway) in the final but lost on a score line of 15-4, 15-11. In the 1st Year Doubles Final, Fergal Moran and Gareth Gilmartin (Drumshanbo VS) lost out to Kieran Moran and Tommy McNeela (Colaiste Einde, Galway) 15-2, 15-2.
In the Junior Doubles semi-final David Gallagher and David McGourty (Drumshanbo VS) were defeated by Diarmuid and Vincent Harte (Summerhill College, Sligo) 15-5, 15-6.
The Intermediate Doubles pairing of Jarlath Scollan and Alan Wrynne (Ballinamore CS) met Patrick Murphy and Niall Joyce (St. Colmans Claremorris) in the final. After dominating 
much of the first game the Ballinamore CS pair were unable to close out the match losing 15-14. They lost the second game 15-5.
 
Connacht Junior B 40×20 Championship
 
In Junior B Doubles the Fenagh/Drumshanbo pairing of Jamie Murray and Leo Logan met Roscommons Brendan McDonagh and Nevan McCartin, with the Leitrim lads having home advantage. However, things didnt go according to plan for the Leitrim men and they were defeated 21-10, 21-2.

 

 

 

09-Feb-15 by Niall Scollan – Leitrim Handball

Connacht 60×30 Juvenile B Championship Finals

Connacht 60×30 Juvenile B Championship Finals

In another first for Fenagh Handball Alley, the Connacht 60×30 Juvenile B Championship finals were played there on Sunday last. Leitrim was represented by Fergal McLoughlin and Caolan McDermott (U12 Doubles) and David Wrynn (U15), all from Fenagh. David Wrynn had to settle for silver after coming up against a stronger Khalid Yehkyaev (Roscommon) losing out on a score line of 13-15, 4-15. Fergal McLoughlin and Caolan McDermott took the U12 Doubles title with a great victory over Jack Glynn and Anthony Dunne (Galway) winning on a score line of 15-8, 15-4.

 

 

08-Oct-14 by Leitrim GAA

Gold for Leitrim in Handball

Martin Raftery was Drumshanbos pride and joy last weekend when he captured the All Ireland Junior 60×30 championship at the expence of Paul Lambert of Wexford.   In a thrilling and energy sapping three game marathon at the Na Fianna GAA handball complex inÓglasnevin Dublin, Raftery won the game 16-21  21-17  21-19.

In a game that could have gone either way, Raftery had to dig deep after a very good start by Lambert. A sharper looking Lambert was killing the ball at every chance while Raftery relied more on defencive and passing shots. Both sides found aces hard to come by and long rallys took its toll on energy levels, so it was always going to be the survival of the fittest. In that regard it was Raftery who looked the strongest and more composed as the game went on. 

After losing the first set Raftery adjusted his game and serves to Lamberts weaker left overhand side had telling effect and with veteran Ed Lee emparting his knowledge and experience as coach the Leitrim man was now looking at a more vunerable Lambert. In a hard fought second game lasting thirty eight minutes Raftery tied the game with a 21-17 victory.

Everything was now to be played for by both men, but the momenteum was now with Raftery. Some fine tuning with coach Ed Lee and Raftery was in a confident mood with the smell of victory in his nostrils.  A blistering start from the Leitrim man in the third game had the Leitrim supporters on their feet and at 12-4 up it looked good but a revival by Lambert brought him to 13 all and it was now backs to the wall. Raftery made another break 20-14 only to be reeled in again and repeatedly served game ball before crossing the line at 21-19, a triumptant and delighted Raftery waved his Leitrim shirt to the crowd releasing the tension of a gruelling and tough two hour twelve minute game. 

Afterwards Raftery was presented with his  All Ireland Gold medal to the delight of his supporters by referee Frank Daly. It was a case of the west awake as the two Sligo players, Martin Cooney and Shane Bruen also went on to win their games in what was a great day for both sets of supporters.

 

 

 

 

24-Sep-14 by Handball – PRO

Latest Handball News

Connacht 60×30 Junior Doubles Champions

Martin Raftery and Jamie Murray won The M Donnelly 60×30 Connacht Junior Doubles Championship defeating Declan Connaughton and Kevin Craddock (Galway) on a score line of 10-21, 21-9, 21-11. The game which was played on Sunday August 31st in St Comans Roscommon saw Martin Raftery completeing the double having won the 60×30 Junior Championship the previous week. Having got off to a slow start the first game went away from the Leitrim lads, but they made no mistake in the second match taking control from the start and never looked like losing, taking the match to a tie break. With Leitrim having serve for the third game Murray and Raftery built up a lead that they wouldnt relinquish and went on to win the game comfortably. The Leitrim lads now play Tipperarys John Ferncombe and Kevin Dempsey in the All-Ireland semi-final, set for Roscommon on Saturday at 3.00pm.
 
M Donnelly 60×30 All Ireland Junior Semi Final
In what has been another great weekend for Leitrim handball Martin Raftery forced his way into the All Ireland Junior 60×30 final when he defeated John Paul O Connor of Limerick at Hospital Co Limerick on Sunday on a score line of 21-18, 20-21, 21-9 in the All Ireland semi final. In fact Martin had a busy weekend as he captained the Allen Gaels football team against Aughawillan on Saurday evening in the Leitrim Senior semi-final at Carrick on Shannon.
 
It was a tired  Raftery that set out for Limerick on Saturday night for a twelve  noon meeting with O Connor in his own court on Sunday. The game was close in the first two games as the scoreline shows. Raftery found it tough against a very experienced player in the first game but pulled off 21-18 win. O Connor pushed Raftery to the back wall in the second game to reduce his killing power and pulled off a21-20 win in a very tight struggle, however his efforts drained him and Rafterys fitness and court craft was too much for him in the third game. This semi final win now sets up an All Ireland final against Paul Lambart of Wexford on 20th September
 
 
 

 

 

08-Sep-14 by Handball PRO

Community Games National Finals

Community Games National Finals

Pictured are The Ballinamore Area community games Handball Team of Cormac Scollan, Eoin McLoughlin, Caolan McDermott, James Wrynn, Andrew and Sean Kelly receiving their medals from Paulin Martin-ORourke Community Games National Director. The team which is made up of players from Fenagh Handball Club finished third on 134 points with Clare taking silver on 139 points. Wexford took gold with a total of 205 points. The Leitrim lads suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of a very strong Wexford but had an 11 point victory over Clare, however Clare scored 5 points more on aggregate and took silver. 

 

 

22-Aug-14 by Hurling – PRO

M Donnelly Connacht 60×30 Championship

M Donnelly Connacht 60×30 Championship

In The Connacht 60×30 Junior Championship Semi-Final played in Fenagh on Sunday August 10th Martin Raftery secured victory over Mayos Ciaran Burke on a score line of 21-20, 21-14. The Final is set for Saturday at 8.00pm in Ballymote when Raftery takes onÓgalways Kevin Craddach. In The 60×30 Junior Doubles Championship Raftery teamed up with Jamie Murray and secured an impressive victory over Ciaran Burke and Garoid Hughes on a score line of 21-9,21-6. That Final will be played the on week-end of August 29-30.
In Emerald Masters Ed Lee over came the challenge of John Ward (Galway) and takes on Mayos KevinÓgearity on Saturday at 5.00pm in St Comans Roscommon.
Fenagh Alley also hosts 3 Connacht Finals on Saturday evening from 5.00pm starting with Junior C: Galway v Mayo, Junior B: Roscommon v Mayo and Golden Masters Sligo v Roscommon.

 

 

22-Aug-14 by Hurling – PRO