GAA Handball All Ireland Semi Finals and Finals
Barry Goff and Colin Keeling more commonly known for their prowess in the 60 x 30 courts of Ireland almost pulled off one of the biggest ever wins for Wexford senior handball in the 40 x 20 courts as they came agonisingly close to downing former World Handball doubles champions Michael Finnegan and Paul Brady from Cavan.
Goff who is a former World Champion himself in Men’s A and his two time All Ireland big alley winning partner Colin Keeling began in whirlwind fashion in last weeks All Ireland semi final and took the opening set 21-12 to stun the audience .
The next two games were a case of what might have been however as twice the brave Wexford pair fought back from heavy deficits to get within winning territory but they were left to think of what might have been as the Cavan duo survived with 21-19, 21-14 wins in the second two sets.
This effort is sure to set the Wexford duo up well for another assault in their big alley comfort zone but also people must now be seeing them as serious contenders for the World Open Doubles title when the World Championships come around in Ireland later this year.
Malachy Whelan and Darren O’Toole were crowned All Ireland junior B champions over the weekend in awesome fashion as they demolished the challenge of Monaghan duo Christopher McKenna and Eammon Todd on a 21-4, 21-5 score line. This result was met with great joy in county Wexford with both players being strong contenders for many seasons and it was wonderful to see both of them collecting winners medals and although tinged with the sadness at the passing of Malachy fathers PJ who was himself a keen handball enthusiast this result would certainly be one that PJ would have been very proud of.
Gavin Buggy and Tony Breen were unable to follow that winning trend set as they were beaten in the final of the Over 35 doubles. Up against two very strong small alley players from Antrim Seamus O’Tuama and Sean Devine it was a bridge too far for the Wexford pair who lost out 21-5, 21-9 .
Wexford Juvenile Semi Finals Results
Last week the semi finals of the Juvenile handball 40 x 20 championships took place with some fantastic games being played throughout the weekend with the handball talent of the future showing us why the county need not fear for its future with new players and more experienced players delivering sublime skills of the game throughout the weekend.
BU10S Richard Lawlor (STJ) beat Diarmuid Moore (STJ)
Mark Doyle (STJ) beat Cian Browne (Coolgraney)
BU11S Glen Murphy (St J) beat Cian Kehoe (ST J)
Richard Browne (St J ) beat Colm Kiely (St J)
BU11”B”S Ciaran Cullen (STJ) beat Jack Murphy (STJ)
Paídí O’Shea (Templeudigan) beat Daragh Hayes (STJ)
BU12S Todd Hynes (ST Mary’s) beat Cian Wickham (Ballyhogue)
James Creane (St J) beat Colm Parnell (St J)
BU12”B”S Adam Butler (STJ) beat Ciaran Connolly (Templeudigan)
Michael Curran (STJ) beat Sean Arthur (STJ)
GU12S Emma Sweeney (STJ) beat Andrea Carley (STJ)
GU12”B”S Lettie Whelan (ST Martin’s) beat Katie O’Sullivan (Coolgraney)
Ella O’Connor (ST Martin’s) beat Lauren Flanagan (Coolgraney)
BU13S Patrick Boland (Templeudigan) beat Enda Minogue (Balyhogue)
Adam Walsh (St J) beat Anthony Butler (Ballyhogue)
BU13”B”S Jamie O’Shea (STJ) beat Dylan Kehoe (STJ)
Adam Wogan (STJ) beat Max Barnes (ST Mary’s)
GU13S Holly Hynes (ST Mary’s) beat Emma Codd (STJ)
Jessie Morrissey (STJ) beat Roisin Cooney (STJ)
BU14S Daniel Kavanagh (ST Joesph’s) beat Kenneth Riordan (Ballyhogue)
Danny McWilliams (Horeswood) beat Gavin Connolly (Templeudigan)
BU15S Oisin Foley (Castlebridge) beat Stevie Lawlor (Bridgetown)
Seamus Sinnott (ST Martin’s) beat Keith Armstrong (Davidstown)
BU16S Bryan Kehoe (Castlebridge) beat Liam Shannon (Bridgetown)
Nicky Lawlor (ST Joseph’s) beat James Kelly (Templeudigan)
