All-Ireland hardball title for Relihan
THE curtain came down on the All-Ireland Hardball championship series at Thurles last Saturday and it proved to be another successful hardball championship for Cork players as Daniel Relihan took Intermediate Singles title on Saturday making it a tally of two titles adding to Junior Doubles won by the Ballydesmond / Liscarroll pairing of Donnacha O’Dea / Michael Hedigan the previous weekend.
On Saturday Relihan faced a stern test as he took on experienced Tipperary player David Moloney, who was going for his second medal in a few weeks as he had already partnered Ger Coonan to win the doubles title.
On this occasion, however, Relihan with a very competent display took control from the start. He played some delightful shots and took an early lead which he never lost.
Moloney, who is a very experienced player, never gave up but on this occasion he could not match the overall skill of Relihan who went on to win the first 21-10.
The early stages of the second game were close and tense as both players battled for control, Relihan knowing if he could win the second it was over, while at the other side Moloney desperately needed to win that second to keep his hopes alive.
Midway through that second Daniel Relihan got on top and held that advantage to the end winning on a 21-13 score to be crowned champion, adding another All-Ireland medal to his amazing tally in the past few years.
With the hardball championship completed provincial 60x30 Inter club championship commences with the first games of Junior B club down for decision on this Friday with Boherbue first Cork club into action they travel to Ballymacelligott to take on Limerick side Broadford at 7.30pm, Boherbue players involved with be Danny Lenihan, Shane Flynn, Enda Aherne, Kieran O’Connor, Jonathon Lucey.
On Thursday next, June 16, Mallow who have a bye to Junior B semi-final face the winner of Lahorna, Tipperary v Hospital, Limerick that game in Cashel at 7.30, the Mallow team is David Walsh, Gearoid O’Connell, Eoghan Sheehan, Padraic O’Driscoll.
Starting date for Munster 60x30 singles and doubles championship 2016 is gradually drawing closer with a first week of July starting date for the provincial games. Entries for the different grades from each county must be with the provincial secretary by Sunday, June 12.
Entries for Cork 60x30 championship are already in with a good entry across the different grades, it is proposed to start the schedule of games next week, as names to match the grades entered must be forwarded to provincial runai before the end of June.
In One Wall Handball the Mount Talbot Ranking Tournament is down for decision this weekend June 11/12 it has been a very successful tournament in recent years attracting a big entry, this year should be no different.
The following weekend June 18/19 Felie Na nGael Handball team competitions both boys and girls will be played at Tipperary / Waterford venues, there is a big entry which should produce a fantastic weekend of handball.