Leitrim handballer Donal Wrynn is on the verge of making GAA Handball history

History beckons for Donal  Wrynn & Leitrim by Michael McGee

Thanks to Michael McGhee, Handball Correspondent, Hogan Stand for allowing us to reproduce this article from the Hogan Stand  http://hoganstand.com/Leitrim/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=164361

Leitrim handballer Donal Wrynn is on the verge of making G.A.A. Handball history as he attempts to bring the All-Ireland handball Minor Singles 40 x 20 title to Leitrim for the very first time. Not in its thirty-seven year history has a Leitrim player taken home the Minor singles 40 x 20 championship. Three years ago the Fenagh club man took the World by storm winning the Boys 15 & under World one-wall title in Portland Oregon.  Wrynn’s meteoric rise to World champion was astounding. The Irish & World handball fraternity stood up to take notice of Letrim’s rising young star.  In the intervening years Wrynn has won a Connacht U-15 40 x 20 title and both 40 x 20 & 60 x 30 at U-16 level.

Wrynn’s season began last November when he reached the final of the Boys 17 & under National 40 x 20 final only to lose narrowly to Clare’s Colin Corbett, who went on to win the U.S. Nationals in December with relative ease.  Despite that setback Wrynn worked hard on his game and was rewarded as a member of the successful Fenagh Junior B team that accounted for Garryhill Carlow in the All-Ireland club final. Wrynn has prepared meticulously over the past few months â€Å“I have worked hard onÓgetting into physically the right condition for the championship and have spent many hours in the court working on my various shots.â€Â

In the Connacht championships Wrynn breezed past opponents effortlessly.  His All-Ireland semi-final opponent was Monaghan’s Darren Doherty an Irish, U.S. & World champion. Wrynn suffered a heart breaking 1 point defeat at the hands of Doherty in the 2010 All-Ireland U-16 singles 60 x 30 final in Abbeylara that went to a tie breaker.  St. Coman’s Roscommon was the venue for this latest instalment and this time Wyrnn was ready for the battle.  It took three intensive games to dislodge Doherty & Wrynn showed his mettle to finally beat his great rival.
In recent weeks Wrynn has played Aengus Cunningham (Roscommon), Niall O’Connor (Kildare), Terry McElvaney (Monaghan) and this has helped to give him a ruthless & steely edge to his game.

â€Å“I’m hitting the ball much stronger than I have been doing before and my shot selection has improved. At the moment I am playing with a bit more confidence, having racked up a few important wins lately.â€Â

Wrynn has also represented Leitrim G.A.A at underage level and freely admits football has helped his handball game.  â€Å“Gaelic is a great help to me as it helps me to build up my fitness levels, and is also  great help in making me more aggressive in the handball courts. â€Å“ Wrynn, a 1st year student in DCU studying Accounting & Finance helped the DCU team to the Freshers A football league title recently.

Despite all his successes Wrynn has taken it all in his stride.  The gentle giant standing at 6’3â€Â is unfazed at the thought of winning Leitrim’s first Minor singles 40 x 20 title â€Å“Obviously I’m looking forward to the occasion. I think it is important that I don’t let it get to me. Galen Riordan will be a very tough opponent but hopefully I will just be able to edge it. This week I won’t train that much as I want to be as fresh and relaxed as possible going into the game.  I always find when I am more relaxed I play much better.â€Â

A natural born & skilful athlete Wrynn is blessed with great handball hands explosive speed and devastating firepower combined with great self inner belief. It is expected that there will be huge support from Leitrim travelling to the Roscommon venue.

In an enticing 3 match programme in St. Coman’s Roscommon Cavan’s Paul Brady Irish & World champion will be attempting to win the Men’s singles title for an unprecedented 8th successive year and 9th overall.  Brady’s opponent is Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy. McCarthy had a sensational 2011 winning the Men’s Hardball, Softball, Irish Nationals & U.S. Open. A mouth watering spectacle is in prospect with Brady wholly determined to re write the history books. The ladies final is a repeat of last year’s finale with reigning champions in Kerry’s Maria Daly & Ashley Prendiville facing the experienced Fiona Shannon & Sibeal Gallagher.  The TG4 cameras will be covering the finals which will be televised later in the season.

Path to the final:

Connacht semi-final Donal Wrynn bt Cathal Connelly Ros 21-6, 21-7
Connacht final: Donal bt Michael Lalor Galway  21-6, 21-2
All-Ireland semi-final Donal bt Darren Doherty Monaghan  12-21, 21-13, 21-11

The 2012 GAA Handball ONeills All Ireland Senior 40×20 Singles Final Saturday 24th March 2012, in St. Coman’s, Roscommon

12.00pm: Minor Singles â€â€œ Letrim (Donal Wyrnn) v Wexford (Galen Riordan)
1.15pm: Ladies Senior Doubles Final – Kerry (Maria Daly/Ashley Prendiville) v Antrim (Fiona Shannon/Sibeal Gallagher)
3.00pm: Mens Senior Singles Final – Westmeath (Robbie McCarthy) v Cavan (Paul Brady)

Michael McGee
Handball Correspondent
Hoganstand

 

 

16-Mar-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

Leitrim team v Clare announced

 The Leitrim team to play Clare in the Allianz Football League Division 4 Round 5 in Ennis on Sunday next:

 Foireann Liatroim

[ol]

  • Cathal McCrann Cathal Mac BhroinGortletteragh

  • Alan Wynne Alan Ó Gaoithín Allen Gaels

  • Ciaran Egan Ciaran Mac Aodhagain Gortletteragh

  • Paddy Maguire(Capt)Padraig Mag Uidhir Glencar Manorhamilton

  • Daniel Beck Domhnaill De Beic Mohill

  • Conor Sheridan Conchúr O Sirideáin Melvin Gaels

  • Wayne McKeon Wayne Mac Eoin Ballinamore Sean O’Heslin’s

  • Darren Sweeney Darren Mac Suibhne Glencar Manorhamilton

  • Paddy McGowan Padraig Mac Gabhann St Patrick’s Dromahair

  • Paul Brennan Pol Ó Braonain Melvin Gaels

  • Robbie Lowe Roibeard Mac Lú St Mary’s

  • Gerry Hickey Gearoid Ó hÍcí Glencar Manorhamilton

  • Adrian Croal Adrian Cról Glencar Manorhamilton

  • James Glancy Seamus Mac Fhlannacha Glencar Manorhamilton

  • Ray Cox Reamoinn Mac an Choiligh Annaduff

    • [/ol]

    Fir Ionad:

    1. Phillip Farrelly Pilib Ó Faircheallaigh Ballinamore Sean O’Heslin’s

    2. James Glancy Seamus Mac Fhlannacha St Mary’s

    3. Fabian McMorrow Fabian Mac Muirí Melvin Gaels

    4. Gavin Reynolds Gavin Mac Raghnaill Cloone

    5. Colm Clarke Colm Ó Cleirigh Drumkeerin

    6. Tomas Beirne Tomás Ó Beirn Eslin

    7. Emlyn Mulligan Emlyn Ó Maolagain Melvin Gaels

    8. DeclanÓgilhooley Deaglan Mac Giolla hUallaigh Allen Gaels

    9. Colin Ryan Colin Ó RiainÓglencar Manorhamilton

    10. Colm McGowan Colm Mac Gabhann Melvin Gaels

    11. Kevin Conlon Caoimhín Ó Connálin St. Patrick’s Dromahair

      12. [/ol]

      Bainisteoiri:

      Barney Breen and George Dugdale

       

       

       

       

       

      16-Mar-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

    Ca bhuil Twitter

    Tweet Tweet

    Sincere apologies to all our supporters who couldnt attend last Sundays Allianz Football League game in Pairc Sean against London and who had been trying to follow the match via Twitter. We were updating our Twitter account throughout the match but we only subsequently discovered at the games conclusion that unfortunately, due to a technical problem beyond our control, our Twitter account was not being updated. The situation has (hopefully) now been rectified and our normal service should be available for the remaining matches. Thanks for your understanding and apologies once again for the lack of service.   

     

     

    13-Mar-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

    Leitrim Ladies Weekly Notes 12th March 2012

    Bord Gais Division 3 League LGFA

    Leitrim 6-10 v Wicklow 2-03:

    We played our last home game of the League in Ballinamore on Sunday last. We earned another 3 points from the win which leaves us in second place on the league table at the moment. Wicklow were our opponents on Sunday and the final scoreline was 6-10 Leitrim 2-03 Wicklow. Our next two games are against Wexford this weekend and Roscommon on April 4th. We are travelling to Wexford next Sunday for a 3pm game in EnniScórthy.

    Monster Bingo:

    Leitrim Ladies are holding a Monster Bingo onÓgood Friday night at 7pm in the Landmark Hotel Carrick on Shannon. There will be Great Prizes available on the night with the Jackpot Prize of €1000. The cost of the books are €10 for a single and €15 for a large book.  

     

     

    13-Mar-12 by Claire Crossan – PRO – LGFA

    Handball News week beginning 12th March 2012

    No Success For Leitrim

    Last week-end proved to be unsuccessful for Leitrims handballers with Shane Doonan and Donal Wrynn defeated in The All-Ireland 40×20 Minor Doubles Semi-Final and U14s Alan Wrynn and U14 Doubles Alan Doonan and Jarlath Scollan were defeated in their respective Connacht Finals.

    In the Minor Semi-Final Doonan and Wrynn were up against Tyrones Paul Clarke and Gavan McCrystal and took the first match 21-18. In the second match the Leitrim pair raced into an 11-2 lead but in front of a home crowd the Tyrone lads turned the game around and won the match 21-15. This now took the game to a tie-breaker and with the Leitrim men under pressure the Tyrone pairing took the match 21-14 ending Leitrim hopes of an All-Ireland Minor double as Donal Wrynn has already qualified for The 40×20 Minor All-Ireland Final.

    In The Connacht 40×20 Juvenile Finals played in Charlestown and Castlebar U14 Doubles Alan Doonan and Jarlath Scollan were defeated by Mayos M Mulhern and D Cosgrave on a score line of 15-10 15-10. In the U14 Singles Alan Wrynn was defeated by Galways Cian OConaighle.

    GAA Presidents Award 

    Congratulations to Fenaghs Peter Heaney who will be presented with a Presidents Award on Friday night in Croke Park. TG4 are providing live coverage of the awards starting at 7.30.

    National Congress

    GAA Handball National Congress takes place on Sunday March 18th in The Landmark Hotel, the first time Leitrim has hosted this event.

    Connacht 40×20 Juvenile B Championships  

    The Connacht B Championships Semi-Finals are fixed for the week-end of March 31st/April 1st and the Finals fixed for Easter Monday April 9th.

     

     

    13-Mar-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

    Senior Scór Results

    Congratulations to all of the clubs on winning their respective categories in the final last Saturday night.  There was fantastic standard of entertainment at the Leitrim Scór Final in the Canon Donohue hall in Mohill. 13 of the countys clubs took part and although the volume of entries were down on previous years huge efforts were made by the clubs who took part and the performances were certainly top class and highly entertaining.
     
    Rince Foirne: St Marys
    Amhranaíocht Aonair: Aishling Maxwell, Sean O Heslins
    Ceol Uirlise: Dromahair
    Aithriseoireacht: Aiden Dockery, Bornacoola
    Bailéad Ghrúpa: St Marys
    Nuachleas: Mohill
    Trath na gCeist: Bornacoola
    Rince Seit: no Set
    Rince Sean Os : Leona Reynolds, Aughnasheelan
     
    The Cormac MacGiolla shield Club of the Year award was won By Club Aughnasheelan.
    The Leitrim representatives will take the stage in the Connacht Finals in Elphin on Saturday 24th March starting at 5.00pm. The very best of luck to all our Leitrim competitors in Elphin.
     
     
    Seachtain na Gaeilge quiz
    Congratulations to the Bornacoola team who qualified from the Connacht heat in Ballyhaunis last week. They will take part in the All-Ireland final in Croke Park on St Patricks Day March 17th.

     

     

    11-Mar-12 by Claire Crossan – PRO – Scor

    County Committee Meeting Cancelled

    Coiste Chontae Liatroma extends deepest sympathy to George Dugdale and the Dugdale family on the sad passing of his father Joe Dugdale, Mohill.

     

    Tomorrow nights County Board Meeting (Monday 12th March) has been postponed as a mark of respect to the Dugdale family.

     

     

    11-Mar-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

    Leitrim team to play London

    Leitrim team to play London in Páirc Seán at 1pm this Sunday 11th March.

     

    [ol]

  • Cathal McCrann

  • Alan Wynne

  • Ciaran Egan

  • Paddy Maguire (Capt)

  • Daniel Beck

  • Colm Clarke

  • Wayne McKeon

  • Darren Sweeney

  • Paddy McGowan

  • Paul Brennan

  • Robbie Lowe

  • Gerry Hickey

  • Adrian Croal

  • James Glancy

  • Ray Cox

    • [/ol]

     

     

    09-Mar-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

    Leitrim Supporters Club GAA 2012

    Leitrim Supporters Club GAA 2012

    The annual Leitrim Supporters Club tickets have now been fully distributed throughout, not alone the county, but in all areas where Leitrim people are found. The Supporters Club is the lifeline that allows us prepare all our teams in the professional way that is necessary if we wish to compete in a meaningful fashion. This is now the 26th successive year of the Leitrim Supporters Club and Coiste Liatroma greatly appreciates the financial input of our followers and continued support over those years. Our senior team had a great victory over Carlow last week and are working very hard as they prepare for their remaining games in the League leading up to our championship meeting with London on June 3rd. Our under 21 team face the challenge of Sligo next month in the Connacht Championship and their preparations are very much on target for a successful campaign .All underage teams are in the very capable hands of former county players and a great buzz is evident in all the squads.

    The Leitrim Centre of Excellence at Annaduff is now nearing completion and will be up and running by the end of this year. On completion this will be the jewel in the crown and the envy of much bigger counties. Obviously all of these activities require a huge financial commitment from the board and the success of our Supporters Club Draw is paramount to our continued efforts to provide for the ongoing needs of Leitrim GAA.

    The Supporters Club Committee under Chairperson Shay Reynolds in Leitrim and Mike Feeney in Dublin are again appealing to your generosity and asking all with the promotion of Leitrim at heart to purchase a ticket and in doing so you will also receive a DVD reliving the highlights of Leitrim GAA activities over the past 26 years and take your chance of winning many of our valuable prizes on offer.       

     

     

    07-Mar-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

    This weeks Handball News

    All-Ireland Minor 40×20 Semi-Final

    Donal Wrynn defeated Monaghans Darren Doherty in The All-Ireland 40×20 Minor Semi-Final on Sunday last on a score line of 12-21, 21-13, 21-11. The match played in Ballaghadeeren was a very tense affair with an All-Ireland Final appearance at stake. Wrynn never got going in the first game and was defeated 12-21. With the next game a must win one Wrynn upped his performance and took the game 21-13 taking the match to a tie-braker. Going into the third game the momentum was with Wrynn and he took the game 21-11 booking a place in the All-Ireland Minor 40×20 Final set for St Comans Roscommon on March 24th where he meets Wexfords Galen Riordan.

    All-Ireland Minor Doubles 40×20 Semi-Final

    Donal Wrynn and Shane Doonan are in action this week-end in the All-Ireland Minor Doubles 40×20 Semi-Final when they take on Paul Clarke and Gavan McCrystal in Kingscourt on Sunday March 11th.

    World Handball Championships

    Ireland hosts the “Worlds” in Citywest in Dublin from October 11th-22nd in 40×20 and One Wall. Its nine years since Ireland last hosted the World Championships, this time therell be competitors from 33 countries taking part in a purpose built complex under one roof. The Championships are held every three years, the last one in the US in 2009 where Fenaghs Donal Wrynn took the u15 One Wall Title. The entry fee is 100 euro with a maximum fee of 150 euro to register for all three categories.

    One Wall Nationals

    This years nationals will be held in Citywest in Dublin from July 6th-8th.

    GAA Handball Convention

    Leitrim hosts this years Convention for the first time on March 18th in The Landmark Hotel commencing at 11.00am.

     

     

    05-Mar-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

    Bord Gais League Division 3 Round 4

    Bord Gais League Division 3 Round 4

    Leitrim 1-12 v Westmeath 1-10

    We were back in our home ground to welcome last year’s Intermediate All-Ireland Champions Westmeath. This was a much anticipated game and this was evident when the Leitrim team took to the field of play last Sunday captÁined by our very own ‘Golden Boot’ recipient Áine Tighe. We started very strong with both Áine Tighe and Erin Farrell getting there names on the score board and then just fifteen minutes in, Annaduff’s Sarah McManus found herself in an excellent position and finished a pass from Áine Tighe into the back of the net. This was the goal that would be the difference between the two teams for most of the game. Westmeath of course were not going down without a fight and they soon matched us in scores and eight minutes into the second half the scoreline was 1-7 to 7 points in Leitrim’s favour but the danger was ever present.

    The second half was a tense affair with two Westmeath players spending 10minutes in the Sin Bin*. There were several minutes of tense injury time with a Westmeath free given in the closing seconds. The game ended on a scoreline of 1-10 to 1-12 in favour of the home team and we remain unbeaten in our fortress in Ballinamore for 2012. The win also sees us in 2nd place of Division 3. Next weekend we take on Wicklow on Sunday 11th in Ballinamore at 2pm. Some photographs from the game are available in the gallery section.     

    *In my initial report of the game I had incorrectly stated that one Westmeath player received a red card.  This was inaccurate as the player only received a yellow card.  I sincerely apologise to the player and the Westmeath team and wish them all the best in their forthcoming matches.

    Claire

     

     

     

     

    05-Mar-12 by Claire Noone PRO LGFA

    Results- Seachtain na Gaeilge quiz

    The Leitrim heats of Seachtain na Gaeilge quiz took place last Friday 2nd March in the Allen Gaels clubhouse. 7 teams took part -Dromahair, Drumkeerin, Sean OHeslins, Aughnasheelin, Allen Gaels, Aughavas & Bornacoola. Congratulations to Bornacoola, Sean OHeslins and Aughnasheelan who came out on top. Wishing them the best of luck in representing the Connaught final round this Thursday 8th March in Ballyhaunis.The winning team from the connaught heat will take part in the All-Ireland final in Croke Park on St Patricks Day March 17th.

     

     

    05-Mar-12 by Claire Crossan – PRO – Scor