Handball News: Three Titles for Leitrim at Irish Wallball Nationals

Leitrim Handball enjoyed a hugely successful weekend at the Irish Wallball Nationals, held across venues in County Tyrone from Friday to Sunday evening last. The county returned home with three national titles and a host of impressive performances across a range of age categories.

Congratulations to Adam Neary (Annaduff), who was crowned Boys 13 & Under Plate Champion on Saturday afternoon — a fantastic achievement and fitting reward for his dedication and continually improving skills. Later in the day, Adam was joined on the winners’ podium by the Kane sisters from Fenagh. Sophie Kane claimed the Girls 13 & Under Plate title, overcoming tough opposition, including her younger sister Abbie, whom she faced in a memorable semi-final. Not to be outdone, Katie Kane completed the Leitrim medal haul by capturing the Girls 17 & Under Plate title, a win that highlights the impressive depth of underage talent in Fenagh.

Silverware for Leitrim – Katie Kane (Girls 17 and under plate), Adam Neary ( Boys 13 and under plate), Sophie Kane ( Girls 13 and under plate).

Leitrim’s involvement continued into Sunday, with Maxim Gilmartin (Annaduff) reaching the semi-finals of the Boys 13 & Under Cup, narrowly losing out to eventual champion Ciaran Corr (Tyrone). His top-four national finish speaks to the growing strength of Leitrim’s emerging talent.

In the Boys 17 & Under category, Gary Cox (Annaduff) battled through to the Plate semi-finals, delivering a strong showing in one of the most competitive divisions. His performance reflected the progress and determination he’s shown all season. Cormac Scarff (Manorhamilton) impressed with a confident opening win in the Cup competition, before facing one of the top-seeded players in the next round. Despite the defeat, Cormac delivered some excellent rallies and gained valuable experience. Fellow Manorhamilton player Tadhg Kirwin, also competing in the Boys 17 & Under category, was narrowly defeated in his main Cup match. He then progressed into the Plate competition, where he put in another strong performance, narrowly losing a close match that demonstrated his grit and growing ability.

Both Daniel and Abbie Kane (Fenagh) faced challenging draws in their respective competitions. Daniel started strongly in the Boys 15 & Under Cup, but bowed out before the quarter-finals when he met a tough opponent from Galway. Abbie, meanwhile, met a strong Dublin player in her Cup opener before her semi-final clash with sister Sophie in the Plate competition. It was an excellent learning experience for the young competitor, who is sure to make her mark in the years ahead.

All Leitrim players represented their county, clubs, and families with immense pride and commitment over the weekend, continuing to elevate the profile of Leitrim Handball on the national stage.
Focus for this talented bunch now shifts to the Connacht GAA Handball Wallball Championships, taking place next weekend in Kilglass Co. Roscommon, where Leitrim’s young athletes will look to build on this weekend’s momentum.