Williamstown Handball club held their annual Onewall tournament last weekend and as usual it was run with the quiet efficiency one has come to expect from the north Galway handballers. St. Coman’s had a big compliment of players competing, all of whom acquitted themselves very well.
Fiona Tully won the Ladies Open title, beating Claregalway’s Niamh Heffenan 15-7, 15-6 in their final. Gareth Delaney took the U16 title in very impressive style. He defeated clubmate Fionn Cusack in a hard-fought final.
9-year-old Irslam Yakhyaev received rave reviews but unfortunately was well beaten at the final hurdle by current 11 & under World Doubles champion Fiachra O’Duill. The Carthy brothers Eoin and Rory also competed very impressively in the same grade both winning their first matches with Rory giving eventual winner Fiachra O’Duill a very good run for his money before succumbing.
Carragh Kennedy just came up short in her Girls U-12 final where Inverrin’s more experienced Skyln O’Malley Walsh pulled away after a close beginning.
The Treacy twins Siobhan and Aisling and Shauna Clogher all competed in the Girls U-14 grade but failed to make an impression against some strong opposition.
Philip Halliday, Eanna Moran and Thomas O’Brien all won their opening matches in the Boys U-14 competition, but each were beaten in the second round.
After an easy first round win Oisin Cusack lost a cracker to Tipperary’s James Prentice in the Boys U-18 grade.
Joey Maher RIP
The death took place of one of handball’s greatest players, Joey Maher of Drogheda, who died suddenly on May 16th at his home. He won Irish titles in 60×30, 40×20 and Hardball along with titles in the US and Canada. A familiar figure at St. Coman’s Handball Club, he was always ready to help young players. Roscommon Handball express deepest sympathy to his wife Dorris and family.
