Doubles delight for Juveniles
High standard from pairings in 60 x 30 county finals
THE GAA Handball Co. 60 x 30 Juvenile doubles took centre stage over the last week, but predominantly on Sunday, August 6, in Castlebridge where six finals across the ages were decided.
The honours wentg to Coolgreany with two titles, and St. Joseph’s, St. Mary’s, Ballymitty and Taghmon all with one title each.
The standard was fine but Mark Doyle Conor Murphy at Under-14 were the day’s most striking winners, showing great attitude and potential.
Eoin Kinsella and Ryan Murphy (Coolgreany) were the stand-out pair at Under-10 doubles all year, and they proved their credentials as they accounted for Conor Doyle and Danny Doyle (Taghmon) on a 15-7, 15-7 scoreline after a good game.
Jamie Barnes and Jack Creane (St. Mary’s) backed up their Under-11 40 x 20 victory with a comprehensive 15-2, 15-3 defeat of Rory Gilbert and James Walsh (St. Joseph’s) in the 60 x 30 equivalent.
Conor Horan and John Connors (Coolgreany) took the second Co.title of the day back to the north county club when they defeated Bobby Doyle and Jack Murphy (Taghmon) in the boys’ Under-12 doubles after quite a struggle.
The Coolgreany boys took the opening game but were rocked back on their heels in no uncertain terms in the second after a fine display of serving from Bobby Doyle. John and Conor managed to steady the ship in the third and navigate their way to victory 15-2, 10-15, 15-1.
Mark Doyle and Conor Murphy (Taghmon) continued their impressive run of county doubles titles with victory in the Under-14 boys against Ben Keeling and Conor Dobbs (St. Joseph’s), 15-1, 15-5.
Josh Kavanagh and Cian Kehoe (St. Joseph’s) had too much for Jack Murphy and Quentin Kehoe (Taghmon) in the boys’ Under-16 foubles to register the only title of the day for the boys in black and white.
Dean O’Neill and Gavin Lacey (Ballymitty) secured the boys’ Under-15 honours when they took out Darren Meyler and Kyle Barnwell (Taghmon) in the third game 6-15, 15-3, 15-0.
Ben Furlong and Conor Foley (Taghmon) had no opposition at boys’ Under-13 doubles which wouldn’t be a great sign, but they nevertheless were crowned champions.
Earlier in the week in St. Mary’s the only two girls’ finals were played in Under-13 and Under-14 as there were walkovers at Under-16 for Cliodhna O’Connell and Leanne Boland (Coolgreany), and Under-17 for Cora Doyle and Eva Crean (St. Joseph’s).
The struggle to keep girls playing is beginning to become a huge problem. Ballymitty were certain to win at Under-14 as April and Emily Moran squared up to Becky O’Neill and Danielle Kinsella, and the Moran sisters emerged victorious on a two games to nil scoreline.
In the all-St. Joseph’s contest at girls’ Under-13, Jodie Keeling and Sarah Taaffe had a little bit extra close to the finish to beat Ellie Murphy-O’Gorman and Elizabeth Walsh 15-2, 15-11.
April Moran (Ballymitty) continued her dominance of her age group with victory over Becky O’Neill (Ballymitty) in the girls’ Under-14 singles final played earlier than the others due to summer holidays.