The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Handballers win three All-Ireland titles
DO you know the Kerry sports star that has won a record breaking 31 All Ireland medals?
Last Saturday in Kingscourt, Cavan Dominick Lynch from Glenbeigh continued his run of amazing success when he won the All Ireland Masters A 40x20 Handball final in dramatic style.
In a pulsating final he defeated Vinnie Moran (Mayo), a brother of Mayo football star Andy Moran. The first game was extremely close with the pair tied at 10-10 mid way through the round. However the Glenbeigh star pulled away and thanks to some great kill shots ran out an impressive winner 21-10. In the second game Moran led 8-6 early in the tie with Lynch finishing strong to win it 21-14 and with it his 31st All Ireland title.
“Naturally I was thrilled to win against a formidable opponent such as Vinnie Moran. Winning an All Ireland title is an honour at any time and I treasure each of them. This is a victory for Kerry and Glenbeigh handball more so than a victory for Dominick Lynch. I am part of a great club and honoured to fly their flag on the National stage,” said Dominick.
Ballymacelligott teenager Daire Keane is set to become the latest Kerry sporting icon.
The Tralee CBS student enhanced his sporting CV with a sensational victory in the All Ireland 40x20 Junior B Singles handball final in Cavan on Saturday. He defeated
the highly fancied Ciaran Crotters from Antrim 21-12 and 21-14 in the final to claim his first Na- ti on al title and a place on the list of all time great Ballymacelligott players.
“I am thrilled with the success. It was a difficult and very tactical final. In the first game we were tied on a number of occasions. However I remained calm and when we were 10-10 I killed some shots to steal the game. In the second game I trailed 8-2 but fought back thanks to the vocal Kerry support in Cavan to take the title. I am very proud to bring this All Ireland back to Ballymacelligott and the wonderful people who have encouraged me in the sport,” said Daire.
It’s been 25 years since a handball team from Kerry stood on the winner’s podium at the All Ireland 40x20 Under 16 Doubles final. On Sunday afternoon that record was shattered in Cavan when Glenbeigh handballers Darragh Lynch (14) and Sean Quirke (15) defeated Jack Darcy and Jonathon Owen from Tyrone to clinch the All lreland 40x20 Under 16 Doubles title 21-11 and 21-14.
“We are thrilled to win our first All Ireland title. The first game was tight and we were level on three occasions before we got to grips with the Tyrone lads. We settled well and grew in confidence with each ace,” said Darragh.
The second game was evenly contested in the early stage before the Kerry lads won.
“While we went ahead 14-5, Tyrone never gave up and clawed the scores back to 19-14. We finished it out with a great kill to get to 20 and then a crack serve to reach 21 to take the title. It was an amazing experience for us and its thanks to the hard work put in by all the coaches in Glenbeigh,” said Sean.