Handballers Casey and Lacey win Munster Diamond Masters title
KERRY and Cork renewed their long-standing rivalry at the Munster 60x30 Diamond Masters B Doubles handball final in Limerick at the weekend when Dermot Casey from Ballymacelligott and Pat Lacey from Asdee took on John Lyons and Noel Carty from Cork in an exciting and eagerly awaited Munster final.
There was history between these four as Lacey and Casey had suffered defeat at the hands of Lyons and Carty in the Munster Diamond Master B Doubles 40x20 final in Ballydesmond last February.
Casey had earlier defeated Lyons in the Munster Diamond Masters B 60x30 final in 2023 while he teamed up with Lacey to win the Munster Doubles title in Limerick. In June 2023, Casey won the Munster Diamond Masters B 60x30 title defeating Lyons in a pulsating final.
Needless to say, these four handballers know each other’s game intimately, and on Friday last it was the Kerry duo who had a resounding victory in both games to claim the provincial crown.
“This was a classic encounter between four of the best Diamond Master players in the country,” said Kerry Handball PRO, Jack O’Shea.
“They have played each other on numerous occasions and were keenly aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. However, at the end of the night Kerry were simply much better than Cork, winning the opening game 21-15 and then rounded off a memorable night to take the second game comprehensively on a 21-14 scoreline. A super performance and victory for Kerry.”
Munster Intermediate Doubles
JACK O’Shea (Glenbeigh) and Daire Keane (Ballymacelligott) teamed up to represent Kerry at the Munster 60x30 Intermediate Doubles semi-final played in Ballymacelligott on Friday. This contest had all the excitement, passion and drama that a typical Kerry and Cork clash, in any code, offers the viewing public. Red hot favourites, Cork, were represented by Daniel Relihan and Michael Hedagan. While Cork had no fear of entering the Ballymacelligott dragon’s den they soon learned the Kerry players were a force to be reckoned with. Playing before the home crowd, Keane gave a masterful display of handball and contributed greatly to victory in the opening game, 21-17.
“The second game was a tough encounter with aces at a premium. It was tight for the majority of the game with Cork edging ahead in the final few minutes to record a 21-15 win. The atmosphere in the alley was palpable as we came out for the tie-breaker,” Jack O’Shea said.
The tie-break game was an explosive game with Kerry fighting for every ace. O’Shea was impressive in this game to secure a tight 11-9 victory and a place in the Munster final. The final takes place in Cullen on May 15 at 7.30 when the Kerry duo play Anthony Fitzgerald and Philip Butler from Waterford.