HARPS HANDBALL

Congratulations to Conor Mc Donald on winning the Golden Masters B,Irish Nationals Trophy   Conor had revenge over Denis Phelan from Galway who narrowly defeated him in the All Ireland Championships. Conor won 21-12,21-16.  In Armagh on Saturday ,  Conor had wins over Peter mc sherry and Conor mc Mahon . Martin Mc Entee had to retired injured in his s/final against the eventual winner Anthony caddell, Antrim . Martin had won the first game and was 12-5 up when he got injured.

CARRICK HANDBALL

Kiernan wins National title

Congratulations to Carrick’s Terry Kiernan who on Sunday last turned in a five star performance to claim the his first major title in the Mens B category in his home court.On his way to the final he defeated Dublin’s Shane Hennelly,Offaly’s Michael O Brien and Roscommon’s Denis Creaton to set up a final showdown with Kilkenny Powerhouse CiaranNeary.The Kilkenny man started as favourite having won their only two previous meetings but Kiernan had other aspirations.Giving his best performance of the year the Emmet ace gave an exhibition of killing and retrieving to leave Neary trailing in the first 15-5.The Cats man soon  settled with some fine killing and  passing shots of his own  but Kiernan closed out the first in fine style 21-14 much to the delight of the packed Emmet Gallery.The second game started similar to the first with Kiernan early out of the blocks with three fine kills on his way to a 5-1lead.However the signs looked ominous for Terry when he was forced to take an injury timeout with severe cramp in both legs as the toll of four games in two days clearly had the Carrick man shaken.On the resumption Neary took control going  11-5ahead.Kiernan battled gamely but could never close the gap on the Kilkenny sharpshooter as he sealed the second game 21-14 thus forcing a tie breaker to decide a share of the spoils.It was all to play for in the tie breaker to 11 but it was the home favourite who charged into a commanding 5-1 lead with some fine corner kills.Neary duely replied to go 6-5 ahead forcing the Monaghan man into a tactical timeout.Onthe restart Terry regained serve and unleashed one last charge for glory with some unbelievableretrieving and gutsy long range kill shots to lead 10-6.Kiernan finished out the game with a beautiful fly kill to the right corner to claim his first national honour to the jubilation of the home Fans.It was also a good day for St Mellans young gun Christopher McKenna who earlier that day defeated Dan Breen from Kilkenny in the U/23 B category and Conor Mc Donnell who captured the golden Masters B title also Darren Doherty who finished runner up in the 17 & under final.

MELLANS HANDBALL

Irish Nationals. Congratulations to Christopher Mc Kenna(PJ) as he won the 23’s & Under B Singles last weekend. He first beat Padraic Condron from Laois in St.Mellans in two straight 21-0, 21-0, then in the Final he played Dan Breen from Kilkenny in Carrickmacross he won the first easily enough 21-8 but was pushed all the way in the second but held on and won it 21-17, so well done Christopher. We hadn’t as good a luck story for Eamon Todd in the Men’s C Singles as he was beaten by Brendan Burke from Kilkenny in Saval, hard luck Eamon. The club would also like to congratulate the other county winners, Terry Keirnan won the Men’s B Singles beating Ciaran Neary from Kilkenny and Conor Mc Donnell in the Golden Masters B Singles as he beat Denis Phelan from Galway, well done all.

Adult County Doubles Championships. The outstanding Nov3 & Nov4 finals were played last Thursday in St.Mellans, the Nov4 was an all club affair as Frank Mc Kenna & Damien Mc Clave took on Gabriel Mc Aree & Aidan Keenan, Gabriel & Aidan won that title 21-12, 12-19. Aidan seemed to do most damage with his trademark-looping serve into the corners with the opposition struggling with every return, well played all. Then in the Nov3 Kevin Treanor & Patrick Mc Kenna(PH) took on Tydavnet men Kevin Mc Cague & Martin Kilpatrick, and the boys secured another county title for the club as they won the contest 21-15, 21-11. Congratulations to all our winners. We still have several sets of players involved in the Nov1 competition in Ian Treanor, Eamon Todd, Barry Treanor and John Kelly but are still awaiting a semi-final to be played.

Adult Club Championships. Only one of the club Doubles Final were played Sunday last as Christopher (PJ) was involved in the Nationals, but never the less the Highhouse Doubles were played and Joe Kelly & John Thomas Treanor beat Jonathon Mc Kenna & Gary Treanor (T) 21-17, 21-17 as the score line suggests a very tight affair, well done all. The Coalisland  Doubles Final hopefully will be played this week coming, texts will be sent out about time of game.

Community Games. The community games team had a bye at the weekend, as Cavan could not field so James, Gary, Aaron, Ryan and Jamie keep practising as bigger games now approach. The next game is pencilled in for May the 26th but training will be ongoing before that and any changes will be sorted out before hand.

Feile Na Gael. We have entered a 6-man team into Feile na Gael and we will begin training with these boys shortly to keep them in shape as the competition approaches, the team of boys are James Mc Kenna, Gary Mc Kenna, Aaron Mohan, Ryan Mohan, Gary Mohan and Cormac Mc Kenna .

Juveniles. Even though all leagues and coaching are over for the this season all juveniles keep a ball in your kit bag and try to keep playing a little bit over the closed season because you will definitely see the benefits when next year starts.

County Presentation. Keep free Friday evening the 1st of June as the county presentation will take place in the Harps Complex at 9:30pm, all county winners must attend to receive all trophies.