Leitrim Handball Smitten with Connacht Success on Valentine’s Weekend
It was a St Valentine’s weekend to remember for Leitrim Handball, with players capturing two Connacht titles at both adult and juvenile levels.
Leitrim’s Connacht triumph began on Saturday afternoon when Fenagh’s Ed Lee claimed the 2026 Connacht Ruby Masters Singles title. Ed overcame a familiar rival, Mayo’s Micheál Heraty, in a thrilling 21–9, 17–21, 11–7 victory. The match, played at St. Coman’s Handball Club in Roscommon, marked the first time Ed had managed to overturn Micheál in 40×20 grade, bringing the Connacht title back to Fenagh.
Attention then switched to Collooney on Sunday lunchtime, where the Connacht Juvenile A finals were decided. Leitrim’s focus was firmly on the Boys U15 Singles final, with Annaduff’s Maxim Gilmartin taking on Roscommon’s Eoin Grehan from across the Shannon in Kilglass. These two rivals, familiar from recent school competitions and tournaments, did not disappoint.
Maxim shot out of the blocks in the first game, taking an early lead from serve and never letting it slip, displaying brilliant focus and skill throughout. Any thought that the Annaduff man would run away with the match was quickly quashed in the second game, as Grehan surged to an early 6-point lead. Maxim responded with determination, pulling the game back to 6-all. Spectators were treated to scintillating rallies, with both players battling for every score.
Momentum seemed to swing in Maxim’s favour as he reached match point, but Grehan’s resilience and some brilliant fast kill shot scores brought the game to the edge. After several tense exchanges of serve, Maxim unleashed a silky shot to seal the game and clinch the Connacht U15 Singles title for Leitrim.
The U15 final marked the culmination of Leitrim’s involvement in this weekend’s Juvenile finals, with four county players competing. Well done, but hard luck, to Annaduff’s Adam Neary, who reached the u15 singles semi-final before bowing out on Saturday.
It wasn’t to be this year for Drumshanbo’s Mark McShera and Manorhamilton’s Sadhbh Smith, who competed in the U14 Connacht A Championships in Bofield on Saturday morning. While results didn’t go their way, both represented their clubs and county with great commitment.
The Manorhamilton doubles duo of Cormac Scarff and Tadgh Kirwin will have to wait another week to determine their fate, as their U17 doubles final has been deferred until next weekend.
Congratulations to all our players of every age for their dedication, skill, and efforts on the court. With Ed Lee securing the Masters title and Maxim Gilmartin claiming the U15 crown, Leitrim Handball enjoyed a memorable Valentine’s weekend of gold for both youth and experience.
Photo:Leitrim’s Maxim Gilmartin who won the Connacht Juvenile A U15 singles final on Sunday last.
Photo:Leitrim and Fenagh’s Ed Lee is pictured with Mayo’s Micheál Heraty whom he defeated in the Connacht Ruby Masters Singles final on Saturday last.
David Mahon
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