Cork handballers make bid for Munster 40x20 singles titles

FURTHER progress will be made in Munster 40x20 adult championship programme during the coming week with a number of singles finals down for decision and doubles championship also kicking in. Cork involvement will continue on this Friday evening with Under-21 Singles Final down for decision at Fermoy 7.30 start in which Mallow player Michael O’Malley plays Tipperary Jason English in what promises to be a closely fought contest.

This Friday at Cappagh again with a 7.30 start in a Minor Singles semi-final Liscarroll player Luke Barrett faces Clare Mark Rodgers.

Moving on to Monday at Mallow at 7.30 where the Over 35B Singles Final is down for decision. At the time of writing both semi-finals are still to be played with Cork players involved in both Hugh Carolan, Conna, plays Wesley Butterfield, Limerick, in one semi-final while Patrick Buckley, Glenville, plays Aidan Supple, Tipperary, in the second.

On Tuesday at Cappagh the Over 70 Singles Final is down for decision with Liscarroll’s Pat O’Brien facing Jim Ryan.

Also on Tuesday at Mallow again 7.30 start in an all Cork Emerald Masters A Singles Final John Herlihy, Conna, plays John Hedigan, Liscarroll. On Wednesday evening Broadford venue host a double header at 7.30 opening with Junior Singles Final in which Mallow player Conor Walsh plays Clare Fergal Coughlan Jnr, the second Final in Broadford is Diamond Masters A Singles in which Ballydesmond player Jerry Guiney plays Clare Pat Donnellan.

Also on Wednesday evening in Ruby Masters Singles Pat Morris, Liscarroll plays Paddy Collins, Tipperary also 7.30 start venue to be decided for that Final.

On Sunday next Munster Cumann na mBunscoil Girls & Boys Competitions are down for decision at Limerick venues Girls at Broadford Boys at Cappagh. Separate competitions for both boys and girls U-11 Singles & Doubles and U-13 Singles & Doubles with all six Munster counties involved it promises to be a very exciting day of top class handball at both venues, most of the promising young players in each of the counties are competing.

Last weekend second level Colleges 40x20 Championship semi-finals and finals were decided at Monaghan and Meath venues. Players from four Cork Colleges were involved Boys Junior Singles Gearoid Healy, Liscarrroll, representing Colaiste Mhuire, Kanturk, Intermediate Singles Luke Barrett, Liscarroll representing Colaiste Mhuire, Buttevant, Intermediate Doubles Boherbue players Aidan Lenihan/Darragh Ducey representing Boherbue Comprehensive and Senior Singles Mallow player Michael O’Malley representing Patrician Academy, Mallow. Unfortunately there was no joy as all four lost out in their semi-finals.

On Sunday last at Tipperary venues Cashel, Nenagh and Ballinahinch Cork faced Tipperary in 40x20 Munster Juvenile semi-finals it proved a fairly successful day for Cork qualifying for Munster Finals in the following age groups: Boys U-13S: Cameron O’Sullivan, Fermoy; Boys U-13D: Tomas O’Connor, Boherbue, and Diarmuid O’Connell, Conna; Boys U-14S: Hayden Supple, Fermoy; Boys U-14D: Ben Sullivan, Fermoy/ Darragh Murphy, Ballydesmond; Boys U-15S: Darragh Henley, Fermoy; Boys U-15D: Eanna Mcinerney, Mallow/Shane O’Riordan, Boherbue; Girls U-12D: Amy Brosnan/Norma Kerrisk, Boherbue; U14S: Carmel Kelleher, Boherbue; U-16D: Sarah Walsh, Mallow/Cliona Dunning, Conna; U-17S: Sarah O Malley, Mallow.

To complete the semi-finals programme Cork travel to Ballinahinch this Friday evening to face Tipperary in Girls U-14 Doubles in which Boherbue pair Aoidbhe Ducey/Noirin Doody play Tipperary Hannah Grace/ Leanne Gould in the second semi-final. In Boys U-12 Doubles, Gearoid Healy, Liscarroll teams up with Kealan Murphy, Ballydesmond, to play Tipperary’s Nathan Lenihan/Stephen Coffey.