Leitrim’s Young Handball Stars Shine with Multiple Silver Medals
Collooney Handball Alley in Sligo was standing room only on Saturday and Sunday last as it hosted the 2026 Connacht Cumann na mBunscol 4-Wall Handball Finals. Ten young primary school players from across Leitrim delivered strong performances, representing their schools and county, and brought home four silver medals in the process.
Day one saw all doubles categories decided, with Doireann McKiernan and Eimear Ní Thiarnáin from St Brigid’s NS, Drumcong, capturing silver for Leitrim in the U13 girls’ competition. The pair produced an excellent performance throughout the afternoon, overcoming Roscommon in a tricky semi-final before facing a strong Mayo duo in the final. Also representing Leitrim with distinction in the doubles categories were Liam Cox, Conor Creegan, Dáire Ó Mahoney, and Alex Beirne from Annaduff NS. These doubles combinations showed great skill and determination in their U11 and U13 boys’ matches. Although they just missed out on medals this year, the experience gained at provincial level will stand to them in future competitions.
Success for the Leitrim girls continued on day two when Ciara Conlon and Abbie Kane from Naomh Caillin Fenagh NS brought home silver medals in the U13 and U11 girls’ singles categories. Senan Prior Kelleher from Drumcong NS and Ronan Siebert from Gaelscoil Chluainín also represented Leitrim with great credit in the boys’ singles competitions, giving strong performances in the U11 and U13 categories. They challenged slightly bigger and older opponents, producing some fine rallies and showcasing impressive individual skill throughout.
A huge congratulations to all the girls and boys who represented Leitrim at the Connacht Finals this year. Their skill, determination, and team spirit made their schools, clubs, and families very proud. Special thanks also go to Collooney Handball Club for hosting and organizing two brilliant days of handball, creating lasting memories for all the young players involved.
Separately, on Saturday afternoon, Drumshanbo Alley hosted the Connacht Juvenile Championship U17 Boys Doubles final. This deferred match featured Manorhamilton’s Tadhg Kirwan and Cormac Scarff representing Leitrim, who faced the formidable Roscommon pairing of Michael Greene and John Reilly. Tadhg and Cormac performed impressively against the Lisacul duo, who had reached the All-Ireland B final last year. However, the Roscommon pair’s greater experience meant that Leitrim had to settle for the silver medals on this occasion.
Congratulations to Tadhg and Cormac, and a big thank you to everyone who helped organize the event in Drumshanbo.
This weekend shows that Leitrim Handball continues to make great progress and has a bright future ahead.
Photo: Abbie Kane & Ciara Conlon from Scoil Naomh Caillin – Fenagh who both won silver medals at the Connacht Cumann na mBunscol finals in Collooney last weekend.
Photo: Manorhamilton and Leitrim’s Cormac Scarff and Tadhg Kirwan who were runner-up in the Connacht Juvenile championships – Boys U17 doubles final played in Drumshanbo last weekend.
Photo: Eimear Ní Thiarnain and Doireann McKiernan enjoying themselves at the Connacht Cumann na mBunscol finals in Collooney last weekend. The duo who represented St Brigids NS Drumcong and Leitrim won silver in the girls U13 Doubles final.
