HARPS HANDBALL

Congratulations to all six players who comprised the County team that defeated Cavan in the Ulster U12/13 fnal on Sunday last. For the Harps club Jakub Szkup teamed up with Eoghan Mc Ginnity to win the opening match by 15-0, 15-5.  Jakub’s serve resulted in many scores.  Next came the pairing of Justas Dambinskas and Cailean Myles.  While they won both games on the scores of 15-5, 15-9 the performance was slightly below expectations and a major improvement will be needed in the All-Ireland Semifinals on November 17th. The final pairing from the St.Mellan’s club, Ryan and Aaron Mohan, played excellent handball and won easilly.  A much tougher test awaits in the clash with the champions from Connaught.
On Saturday our World Gold medal winner Eoghan proudly represented his club and county at the opening ceremony in Casement Park, Belfast on the occasion of the Match For Michaela.  Eoghan was paired with the World Ladies champion Aisling Reilly.
There has been a major influx of new young players to the club since our success at the World Championships. Thank you to those parents who have given of their time to be present while the newcomers learn the skills of handball.

MELLANS HANDBALL

County Doubles Teams. The 2 county Doubles Teams have made it to the All Ireland series of the competition, the U14/U15 team reached it with a bit of an anti-climax as Tyrone pulled out of both finals in both sections 12,13,s and 14,15’s for unknown reasons, the U12/U13 team at least got 2 games under their belts after defeating Down last week and Sunday evening past they defeated Cavan in the Ulster Final at St.Mellans which they won comprehensively, on duty for Monaghan was Eoghan Mc Ginnity, Jakub Szkup, Caoiean Myles, Justas Dambinskas, Ryan Mohan and Aaron, the U14/U15 team for the All Ireland series is James Mc Kenna, Gary Mc Kenna, Gary Treanor, Mark Mc Donnell, Conor Leonard and Gavin Coyle, both teams with face more sterner opposite as we head down south but with practise you never know what could happen so it is vital all boys get out and get as much alley time as possible.

Juvenile Club Leagues. The Juveniles are now in full flow, there are still some settling down yet for some leagues as players are being moved around a little bit as some nights don’t suit them and also to balance out some leagues but we’re getting there, with the new comers on Saturday evenings this leaves around 100 juveniles now taking part in the sport and still growing which goes to show all the good work being put in on the ground by the committee and helpers is paying off, but now the next task is turning these players into county champions. The younger players from last year and beginners are in action on Saturday evening, boys at 5pm girls at 6pm so any parent thinking of introducing their child to the games can call down to the alleys at those times and have a chat with the coaches in charge on those nights and watch all the other juveniles in action. But remember no child is allowed into the alley without goggles and they must be on properly, not around the neck or on the head.

Juvenile County Championships. With only about possibly 5 weeks to go until the county championships any player that hopes to get to play for the club get as much practise in as possible as we will be having a play off to see who gets to play because we are limited to 4 places per age group (except for U12 have 6) so if you want in you will have to earn it.

Adult County Championships. Anybody wanting to play in any adult competitions in the county from GAA league, Nov4 up to senior championship please text your name and grade you are entering into to the club phone now on0871600248.

New Keys. We have fitted new locks on the cabinet at the alleys, any coach that has not got a key give Frank a ring. The new key will only come out when the cabinet door is locked so we ask all coaches to put the key on their car keys so if you go to drive of and you have no keys you know where they are hanging. But remember put the key for the lights back into the cabinet after your session is over.

Mono League. The Mono League is just past the half way mark and there are a few outstanding games to be played which must be played asap if not so the committee will have to make a decision and award points where we see fit but we don’t want to do that so get all outstanding games sorted. Also watch out booking alleys on Saturday s from 5-7pm for outstanding league games as juveniles are on.

Alley Bookings. Now the Mono League, Juvenile Leagues and coaching sessions are up in full swing we will be block booking the courts for these times, so any practise time being booked must be used by that person, it is very important that people who book the alley play and don’t leave the court lying empty, this also applies to league games, they must not be played outside their allocated times as this spare practising time is vital for all players.