GAA Handball All Ireland Finals and Semi Finals
Galeon Riordan saw his bid to become 40 x 20 Minor singles All Ireland champion come unstuck at the final hurdle as he played an amazing handball and was desperately unlucky to lose out to Leitrim’s first ever All Ireland minor singles winner Donal Wrynn.
Galeon from the Ballyhogue club in Bree could not have a asked for a better start as he took the opening set in this final on a 21-9 score line. However with both players well supported the Leitrim fans were given reason for cheer in the second set as Donal Wrynn won 21-13.
Galeon Riordan raised his game again in the third set but with Wrynn retrieving a lot of ball and delivering some big kill shots that eventually saw the title heading west of the Shannon as Wrynn took the final set 21-9. However Galeon Riordan can look to the future with expectation as he is still under age for minor next year and will certainly be a strong contender for the title next year.
Gavin Buggy put the disappointment of losing his Senior singles county title behind him in fine style as he took the over 35 A singles All Ireland title this weekend. Gavin was given an early fright in this final however as Sean Devine from Antrim delivered the early goods to take the opening set 21-7. However it was as good as it got for the Saffron county man as Buggy took control of proceedings and retrieved some great balls and hammered kills when they were needed to push for home and win the title with 21-9, 21-7 wins in the remaining two sets of the contest. Gavin will hope to double up next weekend when he and Tony Breen go into action in the final of the Over 35 doubles and they will certainly be aiming to continue the success trail in that game.
Oisin Foley put in a sterling performance in the semi final of the under 15 singles to advance to the final as he saw off the challenge of Donal Lyons from Waterford with the Castlebridge clubman doing the business for the purple and gold on a 15-9, 15-12 score line.
Holly Hynes and Roisin Walsh saw their fantastic run of results in Girls under 14 doubles come to an end last weekend as they lost out in the All Ireland semi final to Clare duo Clodagh Nash and Doireann Murphy, with the girls from the banner succeeding on a 15-13,15-13 score line.
Men’s County Beginners Tournament.
Noel Butler (St Joseph’s) beat Andrew Moore (St Martin’s) 2-1
Tommy Haughton (St Joseph’s) beat David Minogue (Ballyhogue) 2-0
Andrew Moore (St Martin’s) beat Barry Doyle (St Joseph’s) 2-0
Jody Shaughnessy (Coolgraney) beat Tommy Haughton (St Joseph’s) 2-0
Ladies Beginners Tournament
Julie Kearny (St Joseph’s) beat Ciara Maddock (St Martin’s)
Olivia Sweeny (St Joseph’s) beat Tracey O’Neill (Ballymitty)
Breda Kelly (Templeudigan) beat Ciara Maddock (St Martin’s)
Julie Kearny (St Joseph’s) beat Virginia Hanrahan (Castlebridge)
