The 2014 Junior Nationals took place in venues across Couinty Clare last weekend, with players in grades from 11 & Under right up to 19 & Under from all over the country competing for national honours.  Emyvale’s Darren Doherty was in flying form and made short work of opponents Fitzgerald from Clare and Clarke from Tyrone to win himself a place in the final against the much fancied and number one seed, Gabhain McCrystal from Tyrone.  In game one McCrystal took off and before Doherty knew where he was he was 6 0 down.  However after a timeout he showed what he could do and clawed himself back into the game.  McCrystal forged ahead again and left Doherty fighting at 18 12 down, but once again keeping a cool head and working point after point, Doherty crept back up the scoreline, and managed to win the first 21 20.

The second game continued in much the same vein with Doherty down 9 2 at one point, but once again sheer determination and some super kills saw him catch and pass his opponent  and it looked like it was all over at 20 17 to Doherty.  McCrystal got back into serve at that point and took this match to a tie breaker when he managed to win 21 20.  With one apiece it was all to play for in the short tie break to 11.  It was point for point up as far as 6 all and at that stage Doherty showed real class and pulled away to win the tie 11 6 and take the coveted trophy back to Emyvale and Monaghan.  Doherty has won the Junior Nationals on two other occasions, having taken the 13 & Under and the 15 & Under titles.  He narrowly missed out on the 17 & Under title last year, but this time round he showed great class and super handball skills and is a deserving winner of the blue ribband trophy.  Congratulations to Darren and well done.  Great result.