Handballer Lynch stuns the Dubs to win 37th All Ireland medal

GLENBEIGH handball Dominic Lynch silenced a packed Handball Arena - awash with Dublin flags and bunting - in Croke Park last Saturday when he defeated local favourite Ian Griffin to claim a phenomenal 37th All Ireland medal.

The new Croke Park Handball Arena was the venue for the All-Ireland 40x20 Silver Masters A championship final, one of the blue-ribbon events of handball in Ireland, and Lynch was as comfortable there as on any of the many courts he has won important matches on.

Following his impressive performance defeating Vinnie Moran from Mayo 21-7 and 2110 in the semifinal, Lynch came into the final on foot of recent good form.

“Ian had a massive advantage based in Dublin. The court in Croke Park has three glass walls and unless you played there previously, players find it difficult to come to grips with the walls and the amount of space you perceive is available to you.

“Ian trains in the court and it was particularly important for me to stamp my authority on the game from an early stage,” Lynch said.

Lynch played with intensity and passion winning the opening game 21-4.

“As the game progressed, I adopted to the glass walls and the seated areas beside the walls which can be very distracting. I found the second game easier and was delighted with the 21-5 victory. It’s important for a small club like Glenbeigh to be represented at National finals and to keep the sport ticking over in rural Kerry. However, the lack of a glass wall court is certainly an issue that we will have to overcome if we are to advance the sport.”

Lynch now turns his attention to the 60x30 championships and perhaps adding to his All Ireland collection of medals.