Mallow handballers retain All-Ireland doubles title
THIS weekend will be a busy one with 40x20 Junior Nationals down for decision at venues in Galway city and county on Saturday and Sunday. Preliminary rounds in the different age groups have been ongoing over the past few weeks to narrow down the large entry to manageable numbers in preparation for the concluding stages, there is a large Cork contingent in contention and it is hoped that Cork players will be still standing and in contention for honours on Sunday evening.
In recent years the Junior Nationals have been hugely successful and proved to be a stepping stone to greater things for many players with hopes high that could be the case for some Cork players this weekend. Last weekend the focus was on Kingscourt as the programme of 40x20 adult All-Ireland Doubles Finals were decided.
Cork players contested two finals and for Mallow pair David Walsh and Tadgh O’Neill it proved to be a memorable one as they retained the Minor Doubles title defeating Wexford pair Adam Walsh/ Anthony Butler in two games 21-8, 21-12. Both Cork players played exceptionally well,its never easy to retain a title and must be a great confidence boost to both players going forward. Cork last retained the 40x20 Doubles title over 20 years ago in years 1995 and 1996 Tony Healy, Ballydesmond, and Ger Healy, Liscarroll, being the successful pair back then.
In the second final Jamie O’Donnell, Fermoy, and Patrick Buckley, Glenville, were hoping to add a second title for Cork as they took on Roscommon pair Philip O’Connor/Paul Kelly in Over-35 Doubles but despite putting up a very good performance it was not their day. Roscommon won the first 21-14, O’Donnell and Buckley fought back to take the second 21-12 t and take it to as third tie-break, but Roscommon finished much stronger to win that third 21-5 and take the title.
The All-Ireland Hardball Championship is due to commence this weekend the draws and proposed dates were issued from GAA Handball Croke Park last week throwing up some interesting games for the Cork players involved. At the time of writing we await venues.
Starting on Saturday in Senior Doubles Daniel Relihan, Liscarroll, teams up with Tadgh Carroll,Mallow to face Dublin Eoin Kennedy/ Carl Browne in what will be a tough opener. In Senior Singles the following week Daniel Relihan is back in action in Senior Singles as he faces Limerick player C J Fitzpatrick.In Intermediate Doubles last years Junior Doubles champions Donnacha O’Dea, Ballydesmond and Michael Hedigan face Kilkenny’s Eoghan Hennessy/Shane Dunne. In Junior Singles Jamie O’Donnell,Fermoy will play Mayo player George Miller.
In Minor Singles David Walsh, Mallow, will face Eoin Brennan,Kilkenny wihile in Minor Doubles Mallow pair David Walsh/ Conor Walsh will play Mayo Patrick Murphy/Lorcan Conlan.
On Friday last at Cork Indoor Sports Annual Awards Function Brendan Hurley, Conna, was honoured with the Handball Award for 2016/17 in recognition of his All Ireland success in 2016 and for his long contribution to Conna club as a player, administrator and organiser. His contribution to the promotion of handball in Conna is well documented as the club goes from strength to strength at adult and juvenile level.