HARPS HANDBALL
With so much handball activity at present it is encouraging to see so many young players getting involved.  Our boys and girls played for their local Primary schools in the County Cumann na mBunscol tournament on Saturday last.  The boys had a clean sweep in their various groupings with victories for Eoghan Mc Ginnity, Tiernan O’Rourke, Deivydas Kaklauskas, Justas Dambinskas, Jakub Szkup and Konrad Kowal.  The girls were not to be outdone and there were victories for Louise Mc Ginnity and Viktorija Kaklauskaite, while Gabrielle and Vikky reached the semifinals.
On Sunday Eoghan and Louise teamed up to compete in the Gael Linn competition for players Under 13 years.  Despite being much younger than most of their opponents they played outstanding handball.  Eoghan was in brilliant form against Tyrone’s Cormac Munroe and he displayed so much intelligent handball.  This was without doubt his best performance this season and a great preparation for the Ulster Juvenile Championhips which begin next week.
It is important that our county juvenile representatives are fully prepared for the Ulster matches.  Eoghan Mc Ginnity will compete in the Under 12 Singles while Jakub Szkup and Konrad Koval have been chosen in Under 12 Doubles.  Justas Dambinskas will play in the Under 13 Singles grade and Cailean Myles and Hubert Sheinbach will face tough opposition in Under 13 Doubles. Martin Mullen teams up with Tydavnet’s James Mc Cague in Under 15 Doubles.  Louise Mc Ginnity, Viktorija Kaklauskaite and Neda Stimaite will find the standard in Girls handball is extremely high at present but they should benefit from the experience.
Our Challenger 1 club final was won by Ailandas Jocys who beat a gallant Mikolaj Szkup over three fantastic games.  Players to watch out for in the future are James Allen, Seán Callan, Luke Mc Manus, Jake Mc Connon and Lorcan Brennan. The Girls final will be played soon and then the Challenger 2 league will begin.
Our adult players Conor, Martin and Terry await further progress in the Ulster Championships, while the Senior League team had a draw against Tydavnet last week.