Ballydesmond duo claim seventh title in succession

A Buttimer (Kilbrin) BALLYDESMOND duo Catriona Casey / Aishling O’Keeffe continued their incredible run in Ladies 60 / 30 Senior Softball winning their seventh consecutive Ladies Senior Doubles All Ireland title overcoming the challenge of Kilkenny pair Ciara Mahon / Aoife Holden at Croke Park Handball Centre on Saturday last.

In the first game Kilkenny pair tried hard to stay with and match Casey and O’Keeffe shot for shot, however they could not match the experience and skill of the Ballydesmond pair as they gradually weathered the best efforts of the Kilkenny pair to take the first on a score of 21 / 12.

The big effort made by the Kilkenny girls in that first game took its toll with Casey and O’Keeffe getting on top early in the second game and going on to build up an unassailable lead on their way to a 21 / 7 victory to retain the title.

It has been an amazing journey for Casey and O’Keeffe coming up through the ranks winning Minor and Intermediate All Ireland titles on their way to promotion to the Senior ranks and going on to dominate Ladies Senior Softball with seven Senior Doubles titles in-a-row.

On Sunday last All Ireland 60 / 30 Juvenile semi-finals were decided with Munster winners taking on Leinster and Connacht winners facing Ulster. Cork interest was centred on the programme at Cullen in which Cork players contested four semi-finals.

The opening game in Cullen was Boys Under 15 Singles in which Fermoy player Hayden Supple faced Kilkenny Conor Holden in a cracking contest Conor Holden took the spoils in the third game, Supple won the first 15 / 6, Holden fought back to win the second 15 / 10 and in the crucial third tie break game, Holden got over the line on a 15 / 12 win.

There was a change of fortune for Cork in the second game Boys Under 15 Doubles Ballydesmond pair Eoghan Daly / John Cronin took on Kilkenny Joe Healy / Luke Flannagan a very good performance from both Ballydesmond players saw them take the spoils on a score of 15 / 8,15 / 4 to book their place in the final in which they will face Tyrone pair Thomas Duff / Conor Fox.

Cork’s second victory came in Boys Under 16 D in which Gearoid Healy, Liscarroll teamed up with Kealan Murphy, Ballydesmond as they again faced Kilkenny opposition Kyle Jordan / Sean O’Keeffe with the Cork pair putting in a very solid performance winning the first game 21 / 6 and ensuring their place in the All Ireland Final with a 21 / 15 win in the second they will now face Tyrone pair Jack Darcy / Ciaran McNal;ly in the Final.Corks fourth semi-final was Boys Under 17 Doubles with Donal Jones, Liscarroll teaming up with Sam Dunning, Conna they took on Wexford’s Joe Devereux / David Doyle, a strong performance from the Wexford pair ensured them victory on a score of 21 / 3, 21 / 13.

Both Cork Boys winners will be joined in the All Ireland Finals by two Cork Girls pairings who are already through to Final Girls Under 16 Doubles Sarah Walsh, Mallow and Cliona Dunning, Conna they play Wexford’s Emily and April Moran, Second Cork Girls pair are Celine Kelleher, Boherbue partnering Muireann O’Brien, Kilworth they play Kilkenny Emily Kenny / Lauren Grace, All Ireland Finals are scheduled for Connacht venues on Sunday, October 6.