Some excellent handball results for Connacht players over the weekend. Pride of place goes to Leona Doolin and Hilary Rushe on winning the All-Ireland Minor doubles title. In Intermediate singles Katie Costello lost to the vastly more experienced Roisin Gilmore of Cavan. At Fermoy Joe McCann of Ballaghaderreen lost narrowly to Cork and there were three marvellous Juvenile title wins for the following: Amy Corrigan in U-16 singles, Fiontain O’Curraoin of Galway in U-16 singles and in U-16 doubles Seamus O’Conghaile and Martin Mulkerrins of Galway beat Kilkenny. All-Ireland 40×20 minor doubles final at Kells: After beating Clare in Tuamgraney in the semi-final the Comans pair Leona Doolin and Hilary Rushe were installed favourites to take the title. They duly done so at Kells against a fit, classy Down pair of sisters Lorraine and Rachel Havern winning 21 8, 21 18. It was a magnificent final played at a tremendous pace and Down will rue one or two missed chances in that thrilling second game that they could have won. All-Ireland Intermediate doubles final at Kells: This was a full-bloodied contest in which the scores belies the intensity of play. Cavan’s Roisin Gilmore emerged the winner 21 6, 21 12 over Coman’s Katie Costello at Kells. The Cavan girl is vastly experienced and Katie Costello just out of the minor ranks and that difference showed particularly in the first game in which the Roscommon girl was out manoeuvred. Katie’s ceiling work did not produce the desired effect against the very tall Cavan girl who is a class player with many cute touches. All-Ireland Intermediate singles semi-final at Fermoy: Luck deserted Joe McCann of Ballaghaderreen in the Intermediate semi-final at Fermoy. He lost a marvellous contest to Colm Jordan of Cork 21 7, 9 21, 21 9. Losing by a mere two points shows this match could have gone either way. All-Ireland 40×20 Juvenile finals at Kilkenny: There were three exceptional All-Ireland Juvenile victories for Connacht players at the finals at O’Loughlin’s, Kilkenny on Sunday. Amy Corrigan of Ballaghaderreen beat Aoife McCarthy of Westmeath with a bit to spare and in a major upset for Kilkenny, there champion Eoghan Hennessy was beaten by Galway’s Fiontain O’Curraoin 21 11, 21 12 and another Galway team Seamus O’Conghaile and Martin Mulkerrins beat Luke Greene and Keith Clifford of Kilkenny thus bringing U-16 singles and doubles titles to Galway for the first time in many years. Gael-Linn U-13 mixed doubles competition: Eight teams – two from each province will take part in the Gael Linn competition at Croke Park on Saturday the 17th May. The Connacht teams come from Galway and from the St. Coman’s Club in Roscommon town. Colm Walshe and Lauren O’Riordan will represent Coman’s. Leinster 60×30 Open Tournament: Roscommon players should note that the Leinster Open 60×30 tournament will take place at Wexford venues on the 14/15th June in the following grades: Mens Open Doubles; Ladies Open Singles; Masters A/B Doubles; Junior A/B Doubles; boys U-17 singles and girls U-17 singles. Entry forms will be soon available. All-Ireland 40×20 Juvenile Team Competition: The boys U-12/13, 14/15 and 16/17 teams events semi finals and finals are on May 3rd. Entries must be made immediately.
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