Senior semi-finals refixed for Saturday
THE inclement weather last week certainly put pressure on the provincial and national handball schedule as the entire programme of games countywide was postponed something that had to be done in the interest of the safety of players, mentors and supporters, almost the entire programme which was postponed has been rescheduled for the coming week.
Last weekend’s All-Ireland Senior Singles semi-finals Ladies and Men’s scheduled for Kingscourt have now been rescheduled for the same venue on Saturday next. Ladies semi-finals are again scheduled for 2pm with the reigning All Ireland champion Catriona Casey, Ballydesmond playing Ciara Mahon, Kilkenny, while in the second semi-final Aishling O’Reilly, Antrim play Martina McMahon, Limerick.
In Men’s sem-finals the reigning champion Charley Shanks, Armagh will play Diarmuid Nash, Clare at 3pm while in the second semi-final Brendan Fleming, Ballydesmond plays Martin Mulkerrins, Galway. In the other grades of All Ireland adult semi-finals rescheduled to this weekend. On Friday at Conna 8pm Conna player Aoife Hurley will take on Galway’s Eimear Ní Bhiadha.
On Saturday at Mallow 1pm start there is a double header down for decision with Mallow player David Walsh taking on Patrick Murphy, Mayo in U-21 singles, which will be followed by Over 35A Singles in which Tim Breen, Boherbue, will play Ollie Conway, Galway.
On Sunday at Newport, Co Mayo in Intermediate Singles Michael Hedigan, Liscarroll, is scheduled to play Mayo player Ian McLoughlin. Also on Sunday All-Ireland Boys & Girls Juvenile semi-finals have been rescheduled for Ballydesmond, Liscarroll and Mallow all three venues haver an 11.30am start.
The Compunet IT Solutions singles and doubles boys and girls will contest seven semi-finals, Cork players involved will be as follows, at Ballydesmond in Boys U14 Doubles Ballydesmond pair John Cronin / Eoghan Daly will carry Cork hopes, At Mallow in Girls Under 14 Doubles Sarah Walsh, Mallow teams up with Cliona Dunning, Conna to face Tyrone while in Girls U-15 Doubles also at Mallow Celine Kelleher, Boherbue will partner Muireann O’Brien, Kilworth also against Tyrone.
At Liscarroll three finals down for decision. In U-15 Doubles Kealin Murphy, Ballydesmond teams up with Gearoid Healy, Liscarroll again Tyrone provide the opposition. In U-17 Singles Michael O’Callaghan, Liscarroll takes on Donegal, while in U-17 Doubles Liscarroll pair Luke Barrett / Colin Healy take on Cavan.
Also on Saturday Mallow Credit Union sponsored Cork teams will be in action U-12/13 team championship at Nenagh, U-14/15 at Ballinahinch and U-16/17 at Kilcolman all venues with a 1pm start. The Cork U-12/13 team is made up of three Fermoy players Cameron O’Sullivan, Ben Sullivan, Cian Cronin O’Neill, three Conna players Cian Dunning, Shane Cotter, Nathan Sheehan, Tomas O’Connor, Boherbue and Darragh Murphy, Ballydesmond.
The U-14/15 team comprises three Boherbue players Shane O’Riordan, Cathal Ducey, Evan Enright, Mallow players Darragh Bowen and Eanna McInerney, Aaron O’Sullivan from Fermoy, Conna’s Fionn O’Connell, and Michael Mullane from Ballydesmond. Cork U-16/17 team will be two Boherbue players Darragh Ducey, Aidan Lenihan, Donal Jones, Liscarroll, Rhys McCarthy, Fermoy.
Concluding games in Munster 40x20 adult doubles championship will also continue during the coming week with the programme due to be completed by Friday March 16. Starting this Thursday Cork players will be involved at three venues, Cappagh, Ballydesmond and Broadford all three with a 7.30 start.
Cappagh will host a double header with Minor and Intermediate Doubles finals. In Minor Final Mallow pair Brooklyn Hickey / Stephen O’Rourke face Clare Tiernan Agnew / Mark Rodgers, that will be followed by Intermediate Doubles in which Liscarroll pair Michael Hedigan / Daniel Relihan play Clare pair Niall Bolton / Colin Corbett.
At Broadford in Over-35 A Doubles Final Ballydesmond / Boherbue pairing Denis Quinn / Tim Breen take on Clare Seamus Lawlor / Richard Woods. Cork’s third involvement will be at Ballydesmond where Mallow pair Ryan Harkin / Ciaran Buckley play Kerry Jack O’Shea / Rory O’Connor in Junior Doubles Final.
On Friday at Galbally again 7.30 start Mallow pair Niall Delany / Michael O’Malley Tipperary Aidan O’Flaherty / Liam Bradshaw in Junior B Doubles semi-final. On Saturday at Liscarroll 3pm in Silver Masters B Doubles which is an all Cork clash Ballydesmond pair Philip O’Carroll / Paul Kerins play Conna pair Kieran Noonan / Barry O’Regan.
In Masters B Doubles if Mallow / Fermoy pair Ken O’Neill / Jamie O’Donnell win their sem-final on Wednesday then they will play Tipperary pair Brian O’Brien / John kennedy in the Final at Galbally on Monday evening. On Tuesday at Cashel in Ladies Junior B Doubles Final Conna pair Aoife Hurley / Laura Hayes play Tipperary pair Eleanor Percy / Silé Spain.