Monaghan Harps win four Ulster Handball titles

The Harps had 14 players contesting the 2017 Ulster Handball Championships. To achieve 4 Ulster titles, 3 in singles and 1 doubles, was a remarkable feat. The new Ulster champions are Seán Callan (U13 Singles), Tiarnán O’Rourke (U14 Singles), Deivydas Kaklauskas (U15 Singles) and Justas Dambinskas and Konrad Kowal (U16 Doubles). All the Singles finals went to a tiebreak situation such is the high standard of handball at present.

None of this success would be possible without the help of the parents and coaches. In preparation the courts at Gavan Duffy Park were extremely busy for weeks in advance.

As well as the winners we had several other close contests that could have gone our way. In particular Emily Mc Ginnity and her partner went extremely close in the U12 Doubles final. Likewise Karolinja kaklauskaite and her partner Emma Keenan just lost out in a close tiebreak in U13 Doubles.

Denas Juozaitis and Szymon Polewski however faced a babtism of fire in the U14 doubles and found their Tyrone opponents too strong. Nedas Guoga and Ailandas Jocys met a similar fate in the U13 doubles although they did not perform to their ability against average opponents.

Louise Mc Ginnity was up against the favourite Clodagh Monroe and she gave her opponent a very close match. She was involved in every rally.

Eoghan Mc Ginnity played excellent handball in the blue-riban U16 singles final against big favourite Lorcan Mc Bride. A packed audience saw a great exhibition of all the skills in handball. Lorcan won two close games.

All-Ireland Juvenile Semi-Finals

Ulster take on Munster on Sunday in Kingscourt in the All-Ireland semifinals. The grades involved range from under 14 to under 17 and the Harps have players in U14, 15 and 16.

Tiarnán O’Rourke takes on Seán Quirk from Kerry in the U 14 singles.

Deivydas Kaklauskas will play Seanie Doyle from Clare in u15 singles.

Justas Dambinskas and Konrad Kowal take on Clare’s Conor Downes and Fionn Slattery in u16 doubles.

We wish them the best of luck and we are rightly proud of their achievements so far. In Ulster finals we won 5 gold and 9 silver medals.

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Congratulations to our 3 Primary school representatives at the National Finals of Cumann na mbunscol last week. Competing against the cream of the other provinces was a terrific achievement. Our players were Emily Mc Ginnity, Seán Callan and Juste Audiejaityte. All received jerseys and certificates as a reward.

Bawn Handball

All roads lead to Bawn this Saturday when we host two all Ireland semi finals, at 3pmjunior Singles Gavin Coyle Bawn v Corks Ryan Harkin followed by silver Masters B Michael Clerkin support the lads. Gavin is also in the senior county final after he dft James Gavagin in the semi final last weekend. Bawn v Tipperarys John Kennedy, everyone welcome to come along and support the players.

 

 

Liathroid Laimhe.

County Adult Championships. We had 2 club men play their county finals last week, the Nov2 final between Fergal O Neill and Gary Mc Elroy from Bawn was cancelled and will be hopefully re-fixed for this week, John Treanor (T) played in the Junior final in Tydavnet where he faced John Mc Geough from Bawn, John T played well in the first game but just didn’t kill “Bawn John” off and lost the first game 21-15, but in the 2nd he had a very commanding lead of 15-2 and one stage and seemed to be bringing the final to a tie-breaker but “Bawn John” never gave up and fought back to take the game and title 21-19, hard luck John, better news followed in the Nov4 final as Joe Kelly won a titanic battle where he defeated David Mc Carthy from Carrickmacross on a score line of 21-20, 7-21, 21-19, this was a title that was well a truly earned, well done and lets up the level now for Nov3 next year Joe.

Mono League Final. We had the conclusion to the “Mono Team league” on Sunday evening past as the “The Farney men” took on the “The Orchard” brigade, first in was Ronan Boyle and Ryan Harnet, Ronan took the spoils in the 2 games 21-17, 21-14, next in was Barry Todd and he faced Damon Hughes, Barry just had too much for Damon as also took the 2 games for the Orchard team 21-3 21-19 and then a gap began to emerge between the teams, following that game Kevin Treanor played Joe Kelly, and I think Joe’s exploits in the county final seemed to drain his system as Kevin took the 2 games on a score line of 21-6, 21-9, this left the Orchard team in a very commanding position and as John Treanor then played Christopher Mc Kenna he only needed 7 marks to take the title, and John did not disappoint as he won both games 21-19, 21-10, so well done to the winners and a big thanks to all that took part and helped the league run off very smoothly this year, well down to all .

All Ireland Adult Championships. Well done to Michael Mc Carron as he won his “Ruby Masters” All Ireland semi-final in Tipperary last Saturday evening where he defeated Jim Quinn from Tipperary 21-2, 21-6, a very comprehensive victory and good luck now in the All Ireland Final, time venue TBC, John Treanor(T) plays Diamond Masters B All Ireland semi-final next Saturday the 4th of March in Galbarry Limerick where he takes on Limerick man Jimmy Fanning, good luck John.

All Ireland Juvenile Championships. Now the turn of our Juveniles to enter the All Ireland series as Doubles Sarah Lavery & Eithne Boyle play in the U14 All Ireland semi-final where they take on Aine Spain & Anna Mulcahy from Tipperary, play begins in Court 2 @ 11:30am this Sunday morning the 5th of March, good luck girls in the game and also to John Kelly coaching the girls all year.

Table Quiz. Our table quiz takes place next Friday night week the 10th of March, it clashes slightly with a “child protection course” in the complex but it is scheduled to over just before the quiz starts, refreshments a good nights craic in store for all, so get your table ready !!!!!!.

GAA League. The GAA league has only 1 game left but no semi-finals can be reached now, but it paid dividends as 3 of the 4 regular players reached county finals in their respective grades, so well done to all and thanks to all for fulfilling their fixtures each week home and away.