Meath Handball Update 23 u Márta 2004

There were impressive victories for all of the Meath players competing in the FBD Insurance Irish National Handball Championships at the weekend. This competition is in its 9 th Year and it has gone from strength to strength in that period. It ranks as one of the top prizes to win in Irish Handball, second only to the All-Ireland Championships themselves.

In the Men's Open Singles, Tom Sheridan once again proved he is a force to be reckoned with when he out classed Dessie Keegan of Mayo in the first round. Dessie, who competed in the $50,000 Ultimate Handball Showdown last month, was no match for Sheridan who out played him in every aspect of the game. Tom won the first game 21-10 and then narrowly lost the second 21-17. However in the tie breaker he destroyed the Mayo man 11-0 to earn a place in the second round. The next round was played the next day and this time Sheridan was up against Charly Shanks of Armagh. There was no contest! Sheridan won the first game 21-15 and then took the second 21-6 having gone 6-0 behind in the second. Speaking after the games Sheridan said that

“I'm pleased with the way I'm hitting the ball and my timing is really on form. I hope I can go a lot further in the Nationals, maybe the finals!”

In the Men's C singles Meath was represented by Donnacha Maguire, Michael Mc Gee and Eugene O'Reilly. In the first round Donancha defeated Connell Cannon of Sligo and in the next qualifying round, he outlasted Paul Fitzpatrick of Cavan 21-16, 15-21, 11-7. Donnacha has now qualified for the quarterfinals.

Unfortunately, Michael and Eugene were not so lucky. Both players won their first round games but were unfortunate to come up against very strong opponents in the final qualifying stage.

In the Boy's 17&Under Singles, Brian Carroll was decisive in his win over Brendan Bourke of Kilkenny. He won on an impressive scoreline of 21-7, 21-6. In the Boy's 13&Under, Gary Mc Connell continued his fine run of results with a hard fought win over Caolan Daly of Tyrone. For the record the scores were 21-17, 18-21, 11-9.

All of the above winners now progress to the quarter finals which are to be played on the weekend of the 8 th /9 th May in Kingscourt.

“Remember, Keep the ball Rolling………or else!”

19th March - Meath Handball Newsflash

Meath's Gary Mc Connell will be in action in the All-Ireland 40x20 Under 14 Singles final at the weekend. The final,which is to be played in O'Loughlin Gaels Handball Centre in Kilkenny City , will be Gary 's first All-Ireland Final. However, it won't be his first major final as he competed in the World Final last year where he narrowly lost.

In Sundays final he will come up against Fergal Collins of Ballina, Co. Tipperary. Fergal is a very competent player yet Gary goes into the game as a firm favourite having previously beaten Fergal last year in the World Semi Final.

The game is down to start at 11.30 am so if there are any Royals in the vicinity call into the Handball Alley and show your support.

In other Handball News, Tom Sheridan and Walter O'Connor won their All-Ireland Quarter Final last weekend. They defeated their Wexford opposition, Gavin Buggy and Barry Goff, on a score line or 16-21, 21-20, 21-16. They now head into the All Ireland Semi final where they will face Colin Keeling and Tommy Hynes of Wexford in a rematch of last years All-Ireland Senior 60x30 Final.

Brian Carroll was unlucky in the Leinster Minor 40x20 Singles final last Wednesday. He lost to long time rival Robbie Mc Carthy of Westmeath on a scoreline of 21-19, 21-20. However they will more than likely meet in the FBD Insurance Irish National in the near future where Brian will be looking to avenge his narrow defeat.

Meath Fixtures: Leinster InterClub Junior B Friday 19 th March @7.30

Kells (Meath) Brian Boru's (Dublin)

FBD Insurance Irish Nationals Weekend of 20th March

At Kilbeggan,

Donnacha Maguire (Meath) V Connell Cannon (Sligo)

At Ballymore Eustace,

Tom Sheridan (Meath) V Dessie Keegan (Mayo)

At Kingscourt,

Michael Mc Gee (Meath) V Anthony Cowan (Down)

Eugene O'Reilly (Meath) V Brendan Mc Donagh (Galway)

At Leixlip,

Brian Carroll (Meath) V Brendan Burke (Kilkenny)

March 2004 - Handball Updates

Meath secured its first All-Ireland of 2004 when Brian Carroll successfully defended his Colleges Intermediate 40x20 Singles title at the weekend. Having won out the Leinster Championship only two weeks ago, Brian became favourite to reclaim his title.

The semi's and the finals were all held on the same day in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan. This fine complex has three new 40x20 courts, which allows the handball community to organise tournaments and play them off over a short period of time. It cuts out the need for constant travelling to games around the country.

Brian, who was representing Pobailscoil Chiaráin in these championships, defeated Michael Turley of St. Colmans College, Newry in the semi final on a scoreline of 21-, 21-8. In the final Brian came up against Conor Cooney of St. Josephs, Tulla, Co. Clare and he easily disposed of him 21-9, 21-10.

Also at the weekend Gary Mc Connel of St.Colmcille's, Kells won the Leinster 40x20 Under 14 Championship. Despite only being 12, he easily disposed of his Carlow opposition, Paul Mc Elligot on a score of 15-6, 15-8. This is a remarkable achievement and we are all very proud of him. He now goes on to represent his county and his province at the All-Ireland Semi Finals. This tie will be played on Sunday against Connaught Opposition in O'Loughlins, Co. Kilkenny.

Fixtures:

Wednesday: @ Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare @ 7 PM Leinster Minor 40x20 Singles Final

Brian Carroll (An Mhi) V Robbie Mc Carthy (IarMhi)

Brian Carroll is again out in action but this time in the Leinster Championship where he is seeking to defend his Leinster and All-Ireland Minor titles. He comes up against highly rated Robbie Mc Carthy of Westmeath but we are fully sure that he will do the business.

Saturday @ Croke Park @ 7 PM All-Ireland Senior 40x20 Doubles Quarter Finals

Tome Sheridan / Walter O'Connor (An Mhí) v  Gavin Buggy / Barry Goff ( Loch Garman)

Tom Sheridan and Walter O'Connor are once more on the trail of All-Ireland Glory. In this tie they face Wexford opposition and they should handle their opponents with ease. However things will start to get more difficult in the next round but that's for another day!!

November 2003 - Intervarsity Success for Meath Players

Meath claimed two All-Ireland Intervarsity Handball Titles at the weekend. Organised by Sligo I.T., over 150 players took part in one of the largest 60x30 competitions in recent years. Despite only having two entrants from Meath, the Royal County players showed to the world that Meath handball is on the way up in every way. In the Mens B Singles, Donanchá Maguire representing the University of Limerick over came all opposition to take first place over his team mate Stephen Cass. In the Plate competition, Eugene O'Reilly of D.C.U. had a convincing win over Dermot Reynolds of D.I.T.

Mens B Singles Final: Donnachá Maguire (UL) dft Stephen Cass (UL) 15-3, 15-5

Mens B Plate Final: Eugene O'Reilly (DCU) dft Dermot Reynolds (DIT) 15-5, 15-7

A great display all round and we look forward to more success!

8th November 2002 - World Championships on TV

RTE will feature the World Handball Championships on Network 2 at 5.00 p.m. The programme will include coverage of the events in Kilkenny and Kingscourt as well as the Men's and Women's Open Singles and Doubles at Croke Park.

This year has been extremely good for Handball in Meath. Earlier on in the year Brian Carroll of Kells won the All-Ireland Minor 40x20 singles title, becoming only the second Meath man to hold that honour.

During the 40x20 season, Meath won three Leinster Juvenile titles (which we believe is our future), Leinster Colleges titles, an All-Ireland Colleges singles and a number of runner-ups, including Feile na nGael Roinn 2. One-Wall also came to the fore during the summer months when for the first time two titles came home to Meath i.e. Mens Open Singles (Carl "Boo" Browne) and Mens C Singles (Donnacha "Dunny" Maguire). This game is essential to the growth of handball as it can be easily adapted to play in primary schools .

However, our biggest successes came in the 60x30 court, our native game. In early September, Tom Sheridan of Kells won the Blue Ribbon event in Irish handball, the Red Bull All-Ireland Senior Softball Singles Title when he defeated fellow Royal Walter O'Connor of Gormastown in the first All-Meath All-Ireland final. Two weeks later, they added the Doubles title when they easily accounted for the Wexford duo of Tommy Hynes and Colin Keeling.

Next up on the calendar for the Handballers of Meath is the World Handball Championships to be held in Ireland from 17th-26th October. With over twenty Meath players involved hopes are high for some success. The players are as follows:

Walter O'Connor Mens Open
Tom Sheridan Mens Open
Egin Jensen Mens Open
Carl Browne Mens A
Peter Reilly Mens A
Stephen Quinn Mens B
James Murtagh Mens B
Conor O'Connor Mens C
Ciaráin Cunningham Mens C
Michael Mc Gee Mens C
Christy Lynagh Diamond Masters
Ollie Gough Diamond Masters
Johnny Murtagh Golden Masters
Vincy Farrelly Golden Masters
Donnachá Maguire Boys 19&Under
Joy Smith Girls 19&Under
Brain Carroll Boys 17&Under
Sinead Tevlin Girls 17&Under
Gary Mc Connell Boys 17&Under

Week 5
Jan 30-Feb1Munster 40 x 20 Open

Week 6
Feb 6-8 Third Level Colleges 40 x 20 Championships - Dublin
Feb7-Apr 25 All-Ireland 40 x 20 SS & SD Championships

Week 7
Feb 13-15 USHA Pro Stop #2 - Dallas, Texas

Week 8
Feb 21 All-Ireland Girls Colleges 40 x 20 Semi-finals, Finals
Feb 21 All-Ireland Boys Colleges 40 x 20 Semi-finals
Feb 22 All-Ireland Boys Colleges 40 x 20 Finals

Week 9
Feb 26-29 USHA International Collegiates - Springfield, Missouri

Week 10
By Mar 7 Provincial 40 x 20 Juvenile Finals

Week 11
Mar 13-14 All-Ireland 40 x 20 Juvenile Semi-finals
By Mar 14 Provincial 40 x 20 Finals - MS, U21D, JBS, JD, ID, Masters Singles (all grades)
Ladies - MS, JBD, JD

Week 12
Mar 19-21 Irish Nationals - Kingscourt
Mar 20 National Handball Awards
By Mar 21 Provincial 40 x 20 Finals - MD, U21S, JBD, JS, IS, Masters Doubles (all grades)
Ladies - MD, JBS, JS, SD

Week 13
Mar 27-28 All-Ireland 40 x 20 Juvenile Finals
Mar 27-28 All-Ireland 40 x 20 Semi-finals - MS, U21D, JBS, JD, ID, Masters Singles (all grades)
Ladies - MS, JBS, JD, SS

Week 14
Apr 2-4 USHA Pro Stop #3 - Sacramento, CA
Apr 3-4 All-Ireland 40 x 20 Semi-finals - MD, U21S, JBD, JS, IS, Masters Doubles (all grades)
Ladies - MD, JBS, JS, SD
Apr 4 COMHDHÁIL 2003

Week 15
Apr 11 Easter Sunday
By Apr 12 Provincial 40 x 20 Club Finals

Week 16
Apr 17-18 All-Ireland 40 x 20 Finals - MS, U21D, JBS, JD, ID, SS Masters Singles (all grades)
Ladies - MS, JBD, JD, SS

Week 17
Apr 24-25 All-Ireland 40 x 20 Finals - MD, U21S, JBD, JS, IS, SD, Masters Doubles (all grades)
Ladies - MD, JBS, JS, SD
Apr 30-May 1 USHA Pro Stop #4 - Des Moines, IA

Week 18
May 1 All-Ireland U 16 Girls 40 x 20 Club Championship
May 1-2 All-Ireland 40 x 20 Club Semi-finals, Finals - Kingscourt

Week 19
May 7-8 All-Ireland U12/13, U14/15, U16/17 40 x 20 Team Semi-finals, Finals

Weeks 19-23 All-Ireland Hardball Championships

Week 21
May 21-23 Canadian Nationals - Winnipeg

Week 22
May 29 All-Ireland MHD, JHS, SHD Finals

Week 23
Jun 5 All-Ireland MHS, JHD, SHS Finals

Week 24
Jun 11-13 Leinster 60 x 30 Open
By Jun 13 Provincial U12/13 60 x 30 Finals

Week 25
Jun 18-19 Féile na nGael - Cill Dara, An Mhí, An Iarmhí venues

Week 26
Jun 21-27 54th USHA Nationals - Portland, Oregon
Jun 26 All-Ireland U12/13 60 x 30 Team of Ten Semi-finals, Final
Jun 26 Girls U 13/17 60 x 30 Team of Ten Interprovincial

Week 27
Jul 3 Ladies Team of Three 60 x 30 Interprovincial
By Jul 4 Provincial 60 x 30 Club Finals

Week 28
Jul 9-11 One Wall Nationals - Sligo
By Jul 11 Provincial U14/15, U16/17 60 x 30 Finals

Week 29
Jul 17 Girls U16 Team of Four 60 x 30 Club Championship
Jul 17 All-Ireland 60 x 30 Club Semi-finals

Week 30
Jul 24 All-Ireland U14/15, U16/17 60 x 30 Semi-finals, Finals
Jul 24 All-Ireland 60 x 30 Club Finals

Week 31
Jul 30-Aug 1 Ulster 60 x 30 Open
By Aug 1 Provincial 60 x 30 Finals - MS, U21D, JBS, JD, ID, Masters Singles (all grades)
Ladies - MS, JBD, JD

Week 32
By Aug 8 Provincial 60 x 30 Finals - MD, U21S, JBD, JS, IS, Masters Doubles (all grades)
Ladies - MD, JBS, JS

Week 33
Aug 14-15 All-Ireland 60 x 30 Semi-finals - MS, U21D, JBS, JD, ID, Masters Singles (all grades)
Ladies - MS, JBD, JD

Week 34
Aug 21-22 All-Ireland 60 x 30 Semi-finals - MD, U21S, JBD, JS, IS, Masters Doubles (all grades)
Ladies - MD, JBS, JS

Week 35
Aug 28-29 All-Ireland 60 x 30 Finals - MS, U21D, JBS, JD, ID, Masters Singles (all grades)
Ladies - MS, JBD, JD

Week 36
Sept 4-5 All-Ireland 60 x 30 Finals - MD, U21S, JBD, JS, IS, Masters Doubles (all grades)
Ladies - MD, JBS, JS
By Sept 5 Provincial 60 x 30 Juvenile Finals

Week 37
Sept 11 All-Ireland 60 x 30 Finals - MS, ID, SS

Week 38
Sept 18-19 All-Ireland 60 x 30 Juvenile Semi-finals

Week 39
Sept 25 All-Ireland 60 x 30 Finals - MD, IS, SD

Week 40
Oct 2-3 All-Ireland 60 x 30 Juvenile Finals

Week 42
Oct 16-17 USHA Junior Trials - Kingscourt

Week 44
Oct 29-31 St. Paul's Bushmill's Golden Gloves Tournament

Week 45
Nov 5-7 Third Level Colleges 60 x 30 Championships
Nov 6 Eileen Twomey Memorial Girls Tournament - Ballymacelligott

Week 46
Nov 13 Eircom Annual 40 x 20 Tournament
Nov 13 Girls U13/17 Team of Ten 40 x 20 Interprovincial
Nov 13 Ladies Team of Three 40 x 20 Interprovincial

Week 47
Nov 20-21 Connacht 40 x 20 Open

Week 48
Nov 27 All-Ireland Girls Colleges 60 x 30 Semi-finals, Finals
All-Ireland Boys Colleges 60 x 30 Semi-finals
All-Ireland Boys Colleges 60 x 30 Finals

Week 49
Dec 3-5 Thrid Level Colleges 40 x 20 Blitz - UCD

Week 50
Dec 11 Báire Binne Invitational Tournament – Cumann na Naomh

Week 52
Dec 27-29 USHA Junior Nationals