• Lá na gClub Leaderboard

CLG Mhuineacháin - Official Monaghan GAA Website

County Handball Notes

March 8th, 2017

COUNTY HANDBALL

Tiarnan, Konrad Justas into Final

It was nail-biting stuff in the All-Ireland Semi-finals last week in Kingscourt with Clare and Kerry proving tough opponents. Tiarnán O’Rourke received a hand injury on the eve of his match against Kerry’s Seán Quirke in U14 singles. His participation was always in doubt but his decision to play was vindicated as he came back from 14-10 down in game 2 to snatch victory 15-14. His overall fitness was a major factor in this close match. Coach Eugene gave excellent advice throughout.

Also into their first All-Ireland final are Konrad Kowal and partner Justas Dambinskas in u16 doubles. Their worthy opponents from Clare were Conor Downes and Fionn Slattery. To say that this encounter was tense is an understatement. It had everything. The Monaghan pairing lost the first game as they struggled to reproduce the form shown in the Ulster final. The boys seemed nervous and Justas in particular played well below par. The second game looked like going to the Banner boys as Konrad received a rib injury while diving for a low shot. He continued after an injury timeout and somehow managed to withstand the pressure of the Clare serves. Justas finally found his form as he peppered the opponents with ceiling shots to bring the match to a tiebreak situation. In the nailbiting tiebreak Konrad’s serves brought errors from Clare and Justas was rewarded with some killshots. The Harps boys won 11-7.

Deivydas could have no excuses as he lost over 2 games to Sean Doyle from Clare.

The All-Ireland finals will be on St.Patrick’s weekend and the mighty Kilkenny are the oppponents. Tiarnán will play Billy Drennan while Konrad and Justas play Kyle Dunne and partner. While Kilkenny are clear favourites to succeed the Monaghan lads deserve to be in the final.

BAWN HANDBALL

Congratulations to Gavin Coyle and Michael Clerkin who both won there all Ireland semi finals last Saturday in Bawn, Gavin was up first against a very talented young player from mallow co Cork Ryan Harkin, Gavin started well with his power serves catching Ryan out and earning Gavin a early lead but the Cork man soon hit his stride and the large crowd realised this was going to be a epic battle, the scores were level on several occasions and eventually after serving for game 3 times Gavin took the first 21-19, second game and Ryan took a early lead after changing his game plan he caught Gavin out with low serves to the left corner, Gavin fought back to level things but after a few long rallies and forced errors the game slipped away from him 21-15 to Ryan. So the dreaded tie break and all the Bawn/ monaghan supporters were very apprehensive after seeing just how good a player Ryan was, but they needn’t have worried because this was Gavins court and he wasn’t letting this game go, he found another gear and showed Ryan why he has won 3 Irish titles in the las last 12 months, some text book serves and killshots and a unbelievable rallie later Gavin won 21-13. Michael clerkin had a hard act to follow in his silver Masters B semi final but he rose to the occasion and dominated the centre of the court never letting his tipperary opponent John Kennedy take control, Michael emerged comfortable winner 21-4 21-8. Thanks to James Gavaghan

Peter brennan and Cerian brennan for helping with refereeing, also monaghan county board for supplying Jerseys for the lads and all in the club who helped out, all Ireland finals will be in Kingscourt on the 17th-18th March, best of luck from all in the club.

ST MELLANS HANDBALL

All Ireland Juvenile Championships. Our girls Sarah Lavery & Eithne Boyle played in the U14 All Ireland semi-final on Sunday past where they took on Anna Mulcahy & Aine Spain from Tipperary, the girls played very well in Beragh and also in Kingscourt in the Ulster Final but I think the occasion got to the girls slightly on the day, the girls lost both games 15-1, 15-1 because by no means is it a bias opinion that the game nor their play or effort all year was reflected in the score line, the Tipperary pair played and served well but Eithne and Sarah still had plenty of play and controlled many parts of play but this was not reflected in the score line, but such experiences will stand well to the girls going forward in future tournaments, also a big thanks to John Kelly on coaching all that gang of girls all year, it was also hard luck to Devidas Kaklauskas who lost his U15 singles semi-final, but congratulation to Tiarnan O’Rourke who won his U14 singles and to Justas Dambinskas & Konrad Kowal who won their U16 doubles semi in what was a tight and sometimes hot game, well done to all their coaches and all who were there to support, good luck in the All Ireland finals boys from all in the club.

All Ireland Adult Championships. John Treanor(T) travelled down to Galbarry Limerick to play his Diamond Masters B All Ireland semi-final where he took on Limerick man Jimmy Fanning, it just

wasn’t to be for John as he lost in 2 games straight 21-6, 21-12, never the less it was a great achievement for John to travel so far in the competition and maybe the long journey deep south proved his undoing, hard luck John and lets hope for more success next year.

County Adult Championships. The Nov2 final between Fergal O Neill and Gary Mc Elroy from Bawn has been re-fixed for Tydavnet on Friday night coming the 10th of March @ 7pm, good luck Fergal.

Table Quiz. Our table quiz takes places tomorrow night Friday night the 10th of March, we hope to see as many coming down to support the club, refreshments a good nights craic in store for all, so get your table ready !!!!!!.

 

    

Our Sponsors