Last Week-end saw three of Monaghan County’s top handball players contest the All-Ireland Semi-Final Stages in the 60×30 Handball Championships.  Saint Macartans College hosted two of the Semi-Finals in the recently refurbished courts at the college.  It has been probably at least twenty  years since the College hosted Adult matches at this level.  The courts were in top shape and highly complimented by the visiting players from Kildare and Kilkenny.

In the first match, Conor Mc Donnell , Monaghan Harps was taking on a much fancied opponent from County Kildare in the Golden Masters A Singles, Mickey Dowling.  The Kildare man had knocked out some well known players on his way to the Leinster title.  In the opening game, Conor seemed quite nervous at first, and his opponent gained an 8-0 lead before Conor gained three opening points to settle his nerves.  Mickey Dowling continued to dominate the first game and punished Conor for some loose shots in the front of the Court.   Conor had no answer for the talents of the experienced Leinster player and lost the first game.  In the second game, Conor produced some different tactics to establish a 5-0 lead but the Kildare man fought back to level the match at 7-7.  From then on, Mickey Dowling gained points with each service rally and Conor gained an odd point through some tremendous kill shots, but in the end the victory went deservedly to the Killdare man who outplayed Conor throughout the match.  Conor has now to lift himself up from this Singles defeat to prepare for his All-Ireland Semifinal in the Doubles next week-end in Mullingar, when he is partnering Pete Larkin, Emyvale take on the much fancied Robert Mc Carthy and Liam Cassidy.  Best wishes to Conor and Pete next week-end.

In the Emerald Masters A Singles, Martin Mc Entee,Monaghan Harps took on Johnny Brennan, Kilkenny in St Macartans College.  martin was really up against it in this match.  Not only is Johnny Brennan one of the most respected players in the masters Grade, he is extremely difficult to beat.  Martin has been dogged by a shoulder injury over the last few weeks and really dug deep through the pain barrier to try and make a contest against the top-seeded Kilkenny man.   Martin served well with a high lob down the left hand side of the Court and punished some weak returns.  The Kilkenny man looked like having the first game wrapped up early, but Martin, as we all know, has a highly competitive nature, and fought for every ball.  he gained some points, but not enough, and the first game went to the Leinster player.

In the second game, Johnny Brennan pushed harder to try and knock Martin off his stride and established an early lead.  martin fought bravely to try and contain him, but despite the Monaghan  player’s best efforts, Johnny just surged ahead and won the game.  It was a gutsy performance by the Monaghan Harps coach, but the end result was never in doubt against a more experienced 60×30 player.  Well done Martin, and we wish you a speedy recovery from your injury.

The third Monaghan player to contest an All-Ireland Semi-Final was Michael Clerkin, Bawn.  Michael has been in great form and had plenty of preparation done.  Michael had to travel to Wexford, where he took on John Roche from Wexford.  Monaghan handball had expected Michael to progress towards an All-Ireland final, but as the other Monaghan handballers found out, it is just not that easy to overcome Leinster opposition in the big court.  Michael had no answer for the local man in his home court and lost the match.  He has a chance to redeem himself this week-end, where he partners Peter Duffy, Bawn in the Doubles All-Ireland semi-final in Kingscourt.  Michael and Peter will be playing John Roche and Damien Kelly, Wexford.  Good luck to both Michael  and Peter this weekend also.