Leitrim Claim First 60×30 Minor Title

Leitrim Claim First 60×30 Minor Title

Last week-end saw two Leitrim handball sets of doubles in All-Ireland action Minor Doubles Shane Doonan and Donal Wrynn and Ladies Junior B Doubles Ciara McLoughlin and Mary Shanley.
Leitrim lay claim to a first ever GAA Handball All Ireland Minor Softball Doubles championship crown in Abbeylara on Saturday to the delight of their large travelling support Corks Michael Hedigan and Daniel Relihan battled hard for court space but in the end the class and power of Donal Wrynn really stood out on this occasion. The Fenagh clubman delivered eye-catching looming range shooting with both hands and with his partner, Shane Doonan, chasing down anything on the right,they powered to a convincing 21-14, 21-12 win. The Fenagh duo were simply a class above their opponents, with Doonan in top form killing the ball whenever he got the opportunity.

On Sunday Ciara McLoughlin and Mary Shanley took on Kilkennys Denise Doyle and Megan Clifford in the Ladies decider but unfortunately the Kilkenny ladies came out on top on a score line of 21-11, 21-18. The first game slipped away from the Leitrim pair as they couldnt get to grips with the Kilkenny girls serves. The second game was a must win for Leitrim to force a tie-break and with some great serving and rallies it looked like the Leitrim pair were going to win, leading at one stage by 8 aces, but it wasnt to be Leitrims day and Kilkenny just edged ahead to take the game by 3 aces.

All-Ireland 60×30 Minor Final
Donal Wrynn takes on Limericks Padraig Quish in The M Donnelly 60×30 All-Ireland Minor Final in Abbeylara on Saturday at 1.30, his third Minor Final of the year.

 

 

27-Aug-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Leitrim Handball News

Two All-Ireland Finals for Leitrim
Leitrim teams dont reach too many All-Ireland Finals, but next week-end sees Leitrim handballers contesting two finals, a Minor Doubles and a Ladies B Doubles.
 
Ladies 60×20 Junior B All-Ireland Final
Leitrims top two ladies handballers Mary Shanley and Ciara McLoughlin contest the M Donnelly 60×30 Ladies Junior B Doubles All-Ireland Final on Sunday next when they take on Kilkennys Denise Doyle and Megan Clifford. Having reached the All-Ireland Semi-Finals in 2009 and 2010 the pair are hoping to go one step further and capture the ladies title this time. While this is their first 60×30 final to play in together, Mary has two All-Ireland titles to her credit in the 40×20 code. In 2009 Mary won the Ladies Junior B and in 1997 along with Aisling Carey won the u17 Doubles. This is Ciaras first All-Ireland to reach having taken Connacht juvenile titles and was named as Leitrim Ladies Handballer of the year 2011.  
 
Minor Doubles All-Ireland Final
On Saturday August 25th Fenaghs Donal Wrynn and Shane Doonan take on Corks Michael Hedigan and Danial Relihan in The M Donnelly 60×30 All-Ireland Minor Doubles Final in Abbeylara at 2.15. With The 40×20 Minor Title already under his belt, this is Wrynns second Minor Final of the year, while Shane Doonan is appearing in his first All-Ireland final. While the Leitrim pair are a formidable combination and the experience of the 40×20 final should stand to Wrynn they will get nothing easy from the Cork duo.
 
60×30 Golden Masters Champion 
Leitrims Ed Lee comprehensively defeated Kilkennys Eamon Purcell in the M Donnelly 60×30 Golden Masters B All-Ireland Final played in Ballymoe Co. Galway on Saturday on a score line of 21-3, 21-5. In a completely one sided opening game Lees power and serving skill was of the highest quality and Purcell simply was no match for him. Buoyed on from the first game Lee kept up the same tempo for the second and eased to a convincing victory.
 
Abbetlara One Wall Tournament
Well done to Alan Doonan and Alan Wrynn who reached the u15 Final in the recent Abbeylara tournament.
 
 

 

 

19-Aug-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Handball Notes 1st August 2012

All-Ireland 60×30 Semi-Finals

Last week-end saw the M Donnelly 60×30 Championship reach the semi-final stage with Leitrim having three players in action, Donal Wrynn, Martin Raftery and Eddie Lee.

Donal Wrynn booked his place in his second Minor Final this year with a comfortable victory over Armaghs Connell McCavitt on a score line of 21-8, 21-11. The match was played in Kingscourt and Donal will meet Limericks Pauric Quish in the Minor Final to be played on September 1st in Abbeylara, Co. Longford. Martin Raftery had home advantage for his Junior Semi-Final against Cavans James Brady and took a tight first game 21-19. However Brady a first cousin of All-Ireland champion Paul Brady took control in the second game and defeated Raftery 8-21 forcing a tie break. Unfortunately for Raftery, he couldnt get the upper hand of Brady in the tie-breaker and was defeated 7-21. Ed Lee booked his place in The Golden Masters Final when he defeated Antrims Thomas Maguire on a score-line of 21-10, 21-12. He will play either Eamon Purcell (Kilkenny) or Martin Ryan (Tipperary) on August 18th-19th. 

In The Ladies Junior B Doubles 60×30 Championship Ciara McLoughlin and Mary Shanley are contesting the All-Ireland final on August 18th-19th. 

Connacht Juvenile 60×30 Championship

The Connacht Juvenile A 60×30 Championship was played off over the week-end with Fenagh Handball Club having six players taking part. In Boys u12 Cormac Scollan was defeated by Dylan Hanley (Roscommon) in the semi-final. In Boys u14 Jarlath Scollan defeated Cathal OConnor (Roscommon) in the semi-final but was defeated by Martin Mulhern (Mayo) in the final. In the Boys u14D Final Alan Doonan and Aaron McLoughlin were defeated by Cian OConaighle and Deirmuid Mulkerrins (Galway). Alan Wrynn was defeated by Ross Taheny (Sligo) in the Boys u15 semi-final and Aaron Scollan lost out to Sligos Patrick Fox in the u17 semi-final.  

 

 

01-Aug-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Handball news week beginning 16th July 2012

Connacht 60×30 Junior Title
Drumshanbos Martin Raftery took the Connacht 60×30 Junior Championship Title with a comprehensive victory against Mayos Kieran Burke played in Williamstown last Wednesday on a scoreline of 21-0. Burke conceded the second game and match after picking up an injury. Martin now faces an Ulster opponent in the All-Ireland Junior Semi-Final.
Connacht Junior C 60×30 Championship
Leitrims Des McKeever and Francie McDonough were narrowly defeated in the Connacht 60×30 Junior C Championship Semi-Final by Mayos Martin McAndrew and Sean Sweeney on a scoreline of 12-21, 20-21 played in Fenagh on Thursday evening. The Leitrim pairing were very unlucky losing serve on match point in the second game to send the match to a tie-breaker.
One Wall Nationals
This years One Wall Nationals were held in City West in Dublin from July 6-8. Fenagh Handball Club had several players taking part with everyone progressing to quarter final or semi-final in their respective categories. In Boys u11 Cormac Scollan and James Wrynn reached the Plate quarter final. In Boys u13 Alan Wrynn and David Wrynn both reached the Plate quarter final. Jarlath Scollan reached the Cup quarter final. In the Boys u15 Alan Doonan reached the Plate Semi-final, Aaron ScollanÓgot to the Boys u17 Plate semi-final while Shane Doonan reached the Cup quarter final. In the Ladies Challenger Michelle Gaffney reached the Plate quarter final while Ciara McLoughlin made the Cup semi-final.
 

 

 

18-Jul-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Handball News week beginning 8th July 2012

Connacht Minor Title For Donal Wrynn
Donal Wrynn took his second Connacht Minor title this year winning The Connacht 60×30 Minor Final played in Ballymoe Co. Galway on Sunday. In a very one sided encounter Wrynn easily saw off the challenge of Mayos Adrain Murphy on a scoreline of 21-1, 21-2. He will now meet an Ulster opponent in the All-Ireland semi-final. Donal teams up with fellow clubman Shane Doonan in the Connacht 60×30 Doubles Final next week-end.
Connacht 60×30 Golden Masters Final
Fenaghs Ed Lee lifted the Golden Masters B 60×30 Connacht Title defeating Galways William Corcoran on a scoreline of 21-7, 21-8 played in Ballymoe on Sunday.
Feile na nGael 
Fenagh Handball Club represented Leitrim at this years Feile held in Dublin last Thursday and Friday. This was the clubs third and most sucessful year in Feile losing out on a place in the Division Four Final by just one point. The team comprising of Alan Doonan, Alan Wrynn, Jarlath Scollan and David Wrynn were based in Citywest and defeated WinÓgap Co. Kilkenny 21-15, 21-3, St. Augustines Co. Waterford 21-2, 16-21, Tuamgraney Co. Clare 15-21, 21-11 and  Downpatrick Co. Down 21-3, 21-4. Although Fenagh won all their matches on aggregate scores and topped the group, under Feile rules each game won is awarded 1 point, with Fenagh deemed to have lost two games they were awarded 6 points out of 8, Tuamgraney were awarded 7 points and went on to win the Division Four Final.  Great credit must go to the young Fenagh men who did their club and county proud.
One Wall Nationals   
The one wall nationals took place over the week-end. There will be a full report in next weeks Leitrim Observer.

 

 

11-Jul-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Williamstown One Wall Tournament

Williamstown One Wall Tournament

The first major tournament of the one wall season took place in Williamstown recently with Fenagh Handball Club having five players taking part in the juvenile section.

Cormac Scollan won the Boys U11 Plate defeating Fiachra ODuill in the final. Alan Doonan and Jarlath Scollan both reached the Boys U14 quarter finals with Alan just losing out by a single ace. Alan Wrynn also U14 was defeated after the second round and Aaron Scollan Boys U16 was also defeated after the second round losing also by just one ace.

 

 

08-Jun-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Handball News

Leitrim Ladies 40×20 Final

Mary Shanley successfully defended her county title against a very strong challenge from Fenaghs Ciara McLoughlin in the Ladies 40×20 Final played on Friday on a scoreline of 21-12, 21-10. In a very entertaining final with some great rallies Mary dominated both games putting an end to Ciaras challenge. 

Williamstown One Wall Tournament

The Williamstown One Wall Tournament takes place this week-end with compeditors from Fenagh Handball Club taking part.

All-Ireland 60×30 Club Team Championship

Fenagh Handball Club are entering a Junior Team in the 60×30 Club Championship having lifted the 40×20 Junior Title in 2011. The team is made up of Jamie Murray, Donal Wrynn, Ed Lee, Martin Raftery and Leo Logan and they are in action on June 8th-10th. 

Fenagh Development

Fenagh Handball Club are planning to develop a 40×20 alley along side their 60×30 facility if they secure funding under The Sports Capital Program which would complete a state of the art complex.   

 

 

22-May-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Leitrim Handball

Leitrim Titles For Martin and Aaron

The Leitrim Mens 40×20 Singles Senior and Junior  Finals were played in Drumshanbo on Sunday with Martin Raftery taking the senior title and Aaron Scollan winning the Junior Final. 
Drumshanbos  Martin Raftery saw off the challenge of Fenaghs Danny Reilly on a score line of 21-9, 21-10 with the in-form Raftery giving a master class in serving and killing the ball keeping Reilly under immense pressure and unable to take control of either game.
The Junior Final was a different encounter between Drumshanbos Declan Lynch and Fenaghs Aaron Scollan with excellent serving and returning from both players.The first game had Declan Lynch in control with some brilliant power serves that Scollan simply couldnt counter. With some great rallies a very entertaining first game was taken by Declan Lynch 21-14. Aaron Scollan had serve for the second game which he made great use of racing into a 6-0 lead and went on to take the game 21-2. With the match gone to the tie-breaker Scollan again had serve having scored more aces and started  where he left off going 10 aces ahead before going on to take the game and match 21-5.

 

 

14-May-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Connacht Success For Leitrim

Connacht Success For Leitrim

Fenaghs Aaron Scollan took the Connacht 40×20 U16B title at the finals played in Castlebar on Easter Monday where he defeated Mayos Rossa Vahey on a scoreline of 15-11, 15-6. In a match that was very tight in the early exchanges the Mayo man seemed to be in control midway through the first game leading 10-5 before Scollan started to show his class and went ahead 11-10. Vahey managed to get another ace to tie it at 11-11 but that was his last score as Scollan closed out the game 15-11. The second game started with Scollan having serve which he made great use of and never looked like relinquishing his lead frustrating Vahey. With some great finishing Scollan eased to victory 15-6 taking his first Connacht Title.

Leitrim also had U11 Cormac Scollan and U11 Doubles Eoin and Fergal McLoughlin from Fenagh in the Finals on the day. Cormac Scollan was defeated by P Callaghan from Mayo while Eoin and Fergal McLoughlin were defeated by Galways Eanna Woods and Sean O Conghaile. 

Connacht Community Games Finals

Ballinamore Area U15 Handballers took a silver medal at the Provincial Finals on Saturday last in Castlebar after they were defeated in the final by Moycullen of Galway. In fact they were the only Leitrim team to reach the finals on the day. The team all from Fenagh Handball Club were Alan Doonan, Aaron McLoughlin, Alan Wrynn, Jarlath Scollan, James McGuire and Conor McKeon. The Leitrim team defeated Castleconnor from Sligo in the semi-final before coming up against the Galway Community Games specialists in the final.

Ballinamore Area also had an U13 Handball team at the finals also from Fenagh Handball Club. The U13 team consisted of Eoin McLoughlin, Fergal McLoughlin, Oisin McLoughlin, Cormac Scollan, David Wrynn and James Wrynn. The U13 team also came up against Moycullen and were defeated in the Semi-Final.   

 

 

17-Apr-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Connacht 40×20 Juvenile B Championship

Connacht 40×20 Juvenile B Championship 

The Connnacht 40×20 Juvenile Semi-Finals were played onÓgood Friday in Lisacul with Roscommon providing the opposition. Leitrim were represented by Cormac Scollan u11, Eoin and Fergal McLoughlin u11D, Oisin McLoughlin u12, Michael Wrynn u15, Aaron Scollan u16 and Sean Leyden u17, all from Fenagh Handball Club. Leitrims winners on the day were Cormac Scollan, Eoin and Fergal McLoughlin and Aaron Scollan who all progressed to The Connacht Finals in Castlebar. Well done to the other players who were narrowly beaten with some fine handball on display.  Some photographs from thr event are avaiable on the gallery.

 

 

10-Apr-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Connacht Juvenile B 40×20 Championship

Connacht Juvenile B 40×20 Championship

Leitrim played Sligo in the Quarter Final of the 2012 40×20 Championship in Drumshanbo on Sunday inÓgrades from u11 to u16. With 9 grades up for decision, the spoils were split 5-4 in favour of Sligo. Leitrim took the u11s(Cormac Scollan), u11d(Eoin McLoughlin & Fergal McLoughlin), u12s(Oisin McLoughlin), u15s(Michael Wrynn), u11c(James Wrynn). Hard luck to the other Leitrim competitors u12d(Caolan McDermott & Tom McKeon), u13s( David Wrynn), u14s(Aaron McLoughlin), u14d(Caillan ORourke & Conor Reynolds), u16d (Mark Leddy & Mark Quinn).

All of the players are from Fenagh Handball Club. 

The Connacht Semi-Final against Roscommon is scheduled for Lisacul on Friday at 11.00 where Sundays winners will join u16s Aaron Scollan and u17s Sean Leyden.

 

 

03-Apr-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Boylan to hot for Murtagh in Ocean FM Handball final

Boylan to hot for Murtagh in Ocean FM Handball final by Michael McGee

Leitrim’s Francis Boylan created a little piece of handball history when he became the inaugural Ocean FM Handball champion for 2012. The final was played in the Collooney handball court last Thursday evening. Leitrim’s Jamie Murray was the referee and he explained the rules to the two gladiators before the duo went into battle in the Collooney coliseum. Boylan the favourite made the early running and went into a big opening 8-1 lead. Murtagh found the going tough early on and his accuracy inÓgood positions let him down at crucial times. Boylan was the more economical when it came to score getting and he kept the scoreboard moving upwards. Murtagh as the opening game wore on came more into the contest but Boylan had a good cushion of a lead built up to let it slip. In an exciting finish BoylanÓgot three scores in a row to take the opening game by 15-9

Into the second game Boylan again went out in front. Murtagh adapted to the play much better in the second and certainly made the champion fight all the way. Mid way through the second game Murtagh hit a purple patch with 4 points in a row and Boylan looked decidedly shaky for the first time in the contest. Even his colleagues Michelle Gildea & Darragh Cox lent their support to the boy wonder Murtagh. Boylan looked rattled for the first time. The massive support in the Collooney cauldron erupted with a crescendo of noise Sligo, Sligo reverberating all over the handball court. This gave Murtagh great encouragement and he played his best handball in the final.

With the likes of Peter Heaney, Jamie Murray and Pat Wrynn Father of Donal Wrynn Leitrim’s Minor Singles All-Ireland championÓgiving their county hero Boylan every encouragement. The final was played like it was a World handball title at stake. Boylan’s determination was etched all over his face while Murtagh with the boyish good looks boosted by the huge Sligo support made in roads to the Leitrim’s man’s lead. Boylan managed to weather the Murtagh storm and like a bolt of lightning asserted control again. This time Boylan took a firm grip. In an exciting conclusion BoylanÓgot the all important winning scores to seal a thrilling victory by 15-12. Connacht Handball President Peter Heaney congratulated both players for an excellent exhibition of handball. The gallant David Murtagh was presented with the runners-up trophy by Peter Heaney. Leitrim’s Francis Boylan made it an historic double for Leitrim in the handball courts this week when he was presented with the Ocean FM Handball 2012 champion trophy. The event looks certain to become an annual event in the Sligo handball calendar.

 

 

31-Mar-12 by Colette Fox – PRO