Mark enjoys golden win
WELL DONE to Mark Doyle from Taghmon handball club who capped off a truly fantastic weekend in Belfast recently by taking the prestigious boys’ Under-17 Golden Gloves title back to Wexford.
In the final of this major event, hosted by St. Paul’s G.A.C. for the 32nd year, Mark faced his friend, Cahir Munroe from Tyrone.
Mark started the first game well, producing stylish, well-executed shots, and in doing so he took a comfortable lead.
Mark never looked in danger and won the first game 15-3.
It was the opposite for Mark in the second game, as he started slowly and found himself a number of aces down.
Having tasted success at the highest level over recent years, Mark dug deep, sticking to his task and, taking one ace at a time, he slowly reeled his opponent back to a scoreline of 10-10.
From there, a fierce point-for-point battle played at an exuberant fast pace was displayed by two very highly-talented young handballers. Mark was the eventual deserving winner on a scoreline of 15-13.
Mark was presented with commemorative golden gloves in memory of the late handball legend, Michael ‘Ducksy’ Walsh.
Any handballer would love these gloves, but for Mark (and many more like him), ‘Ducksy’ was his idol from a very young age.
Mark had the great honour to have played and trained with ‘Ducksy’ and call him his friend. Over the years many titles have gone up the drive in Tracystown, but this one might just have pride of place.
Well done, Mark, on a wonderful achievement.