Leitrim Handball

Leitrim Titles For Martin and Aaron

The Leitrim Mens 40×20 Singles Senior and Junior  Finals were played in Drumshanbo on Sunday with Martin Raftery taking the senior title and Aaron Scollan winning the Junior Final. 
Drumshanbos  Martin Raftery saw off the challenge of Fenaghs Danny Reilly on a score line of 21-9, 21-10 with the in-form Raftery giving a master class in serving and killing the ball keeping Reilly under immense pressure and unable to take control of either game.
The Junior Final was a different encounter between Drumshanbos Declan Lynch and Fenaghs Aaron Scollan with excellent serving and returning from both players.The first game had Declan Lynch in control with some brilliant power serves that Scollan simply couldnt counter. With some great rallies a very entertaining first game was taken by Declan Lynch 21-14. Aaron Scollan had serve for the second game which he made great use of racing into a 6-0 lead and went on to take the game 21-2. With the match gone to the tie-breaker Scollan again had serve having scored more aces and started  where he left off going 10 aces ahead before going on to take the game and match 21-5.

 

 

14-May-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Connacht Success For Leitrim

Connacht Success For Leitrim

Fenaghs Aaron Scollan took the Connacht 40×20 U16B title at the finals played in Castlebar on Easter Monday where he defeated Mayos Rossa Vahey on a scoreline of 15-11, 15-6. In a match that was very tight in the early exchanges the Mayo man seemed to be in control midway through the first game leading 10-5 before Scollan started to show his class and went ahead 11-10. Vahey managed to get another ace to tie it at 11-11 but that was his last score as Scollan closed out the game 15-11. The second game started with Scollan having serve which he made great use of and never looked like relinquishing his lead frustrating Vahey. With some great finishing Scollan eased to victory 15-6 taking his first Connacht Title.

Leitrim also had U11 Cormac Scollan and U11 Doubles Eoin and Fergal McLoughlin from Fenagh in the Finals on the day. Cormac Scollan was defeated by P Callaghan from Mayo while Eoin and Fergal McLoughlin were defeated by Galways Eanna Woods and Sean O Conghaile. 

Connacht Community Games Finals

Ballinamore Area U15 Handballers took a silver medal at the Provincial Finals on Saturday last in Castlebar after they were defeated in the final by Moycullen of Galway. In fact they were the only Leitrim team to reach the finals on the day. The team all from Fenagh Handball Club were Alan Doonan, Aaron McLoughlin, Alan Wrynn, Jarlath Scollan, James McGuire and Conor McKeon. The Leitrim team defeated Castleconnor from Sligo in the semi-final before coming up against the Galway Community Games specialists in the final.

Ballinamore Area also had an U13 Handball team at the finals also from Fenagh Handball Club. The U13 team consisted of Eoin McLoughlin, Fergal McLoughlin, Oisin McLoughlin, Cormac Scollan, David Wrynn and James Wrynn. The U13 team also came up against Moycullen and were defeated in the Semi-Final.   

 

 

17-Apr-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Connacht 40×20 Juvenile B Championship

Connacht 40×20 Juvenile B Championship 

The Connnacht 40×20 Juvenile Semi-Finals were played onÓgood Friday in Lisacul with Roscommon providing the opposition. Leitrim were represented by Cormac Scollan u11, Eoin and Fergal McLoughlin u11D, Oisin McLoughlin u12, Michael Wrynn u15, Aaron Scollan u16 and Sean Leyden u17, all from Fenagh Handball Club. Leitrims winners on the day were Cormac Scollan, Eoin and Fergal McLoughlin and Aaron Scollan who all progressed to The Connacht Finals in Castlebar. Well done to the other players who were narrowly beaten with some fine handball on display.  Some photographs from thr event are avaiable on the gallery.

 

 

10-Apr-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Connacht Juvenile B 40×20 Championship

Connacht Juvenile B 40×20 Championship

Leitrim played Sligo in the Quarter Final of the 2012 40×20 Championship in Drumshanbo on Sunday inÓgrades from u11 to u16. With 9 grades up for decision, the spoils were split 5-4 in favour of Sligo. Leitrim took the u11s(Cormac Scollan), u11d(Eoin McLoughlin & Fergal McLoughlin), u12s(Oisin McLoughlin), u15s(Michael Wrynn), u11c(James Wrynn). Hard luck to the other Leitrim competitors u12d(Caolan McDermott & Tom McKeon), u13s( David Wrynn), u14s(Aaron McLoughlin), u14d(Caillan ORourke & Conor Reynolds), u16d (Mark Leddy & Mark Quinn).

All of the players are from Fenagh Handball Club. 

The Connacht Semi-Final against Roscommon is scheduled for Lisacul on Friday at 11.00 where Sundays winners will join u16s Aaron Scollan and u17s Sean Leyden.

 

 

03-Apr-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Boylan to hot for Murtagh in Ocean FM Handball final

Boylan to hot for Murtagh in Ocean FM Handball final by Michael McGee

Leitrim’s Francis Boylan created a little piece of handball history when he became the inaugural Ocean FM Handball champion for 2012. The final was played in the Collooney handball court last Thursday evening. Leitrim’s Jamie Murray was the referee and he explained the rules to the two gladiators before the duo went into battle in the Collooney coliseum. Boylan the favourite made the early running and went into a big opening 8-1 lead. Murtagh found the going tough early on and his accuracy inÓgood positions let him down at crucial times. Boylan was the more economical when it came to score getting and he kept the scoreboard moving upwards. Murtagh as the opening game wore on came more into the contest but Boylan had a good cushion of a lead built up to let it slip. In an exciting finish BoylanÓgot three scores in a row to take the opening game by 15-9

Into the second game Boylan again went out in front. Murtagh adapted to the play much better in the second and certainly made the champion fight all the way. Mid way through the second game Murtagh hit a purple patch with 4 points in a row and Boylan looked decidedly shaky for the first time in the contest. Even his colleagues Michelle Gildea & Darragh Cox lent their support to the boy wonder Murtagh. Boylan looked rattled for the first time. The massive support in the Collooney cauldron erupted with a crescendo of noise Sligo, Sligo reverberating all over the handball court. This gave Murtagh great encouragement and he played his best handball in the final.

With the likes of Peter Heaney, Jamie Murray and Pat Wrynn Father of Donal Wrynn Leitrim’s Minor Singles All-Ireland championÓgiving their county hero Boylan every encouragement. The final was played like it was a World handball title at stake. Boylan’s determination was etched all over his face while Murtagh with the boyish good looks boosted by the huge Sligo support made in roads to the Leitrim’s man’s lead. Boylan managed to weather the Murtagh storm and like a bolt of lightning asserted control again. This time Boylan took a firm grip. In an exciting conclusion BoylanÓgot the all important winning scores to seal a thrilling victory by 15-12. Connacht Handball President Peter Heaney congratulated both players for an excellent exhibition of handball. The gallant David Murtagh was presented with the runners-up trophy by Peter Heaney. Leitrim’s Francis Boylan made it an historic double for Leitrim in the handball courts this week when he was presented with the Ocean FM Handball 2012 champion trophy. The event looks certain to become an annual event in the Sligo handball calendar.

 

 

31-Mar-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

Donal Wrynn eyecatching win

Fenaghs Donal Wrynn created his own piece of history at St. Comans, Roscommon, on Saturday following his eyecatching win in the GAA Handball All Ireland Minor Championship.

Wrynn had to come from behind against talented Wexford teenÓger, Galen Riordain, after losing the first 21-9 and he went on to provide a super exhibition of retrieving and precision killshots to claim the title on a 21-4, 21-8 scoreline sparking off wild scenes of celebration from the large Leitrim support. In fact every neutral spectator in the venue seemed to be with Wrynn as the crowd got behind him when he found his rhythm in the second match. In a very tense first match Wrynn struggled with Riordains serve trailing by 5 aces before he got serve. He held the lead briefly 9-6 before Riordan killed off the match. For the second game Wrynn looking much more composed stepped up a gear, changed his serve and totally dominated the game winning easily 21-4. In the Tie-Breaker Wrynn trailing 3-7 showed his class and scored 10 straight aces before going on to take match 21-8 and claim his First All-Ireland Title.

 

 

25-Mar-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Presidents Award for Peter Heaney

Presidents Award for Peter Heaney

21 March 2012

(Our thanks to Michael McGee Handball Correspondent Hoganstand for the attached article and to Sportsfile for use of the photograph.)

Fenaghs favourite handball son Peter Heaney was presented with the “Gradaim an Uachatarain” Presidents Award by Uachtaran Chumann Luthchleas Gael Criostoir O Cuana at a special Croke Park banquet on Friday 16th March last, writes Michael McGee.

In total seventeen winners were presented with the 2012 Presidents Award. The Award winners came from all strands of the Association representing all codes and disciplines from the wider G.A.A family. The annual winners are honoured as long standing GAA volunteers. Christy Cooney congratulated all the award winners. “We are extremely fortunate as an organisation to be able to call on the voluntary effort of so many, so frequently and this event aims to acknowledge a chosen few on behalf of the wider membership,” said Cooney.

Peter Heaneys involvement in handball began in 1974 where he was elected Secretary of the Fenagh club. The club went through many lean years and interest subsequently waned. However in 1989 an resurgence began. In July of that year Heaney together with Sean McKeon from Drumshanbo set about repairing the floor in the alley. Soon after the Leitrim Handball Board was set up and Heaney immersed himself on the Board both as Treasurer, Secretary and serving as Chairman from 2009-2012. In 1991 Heaney became Chairman of the Fenagh Handball Club a position he held for over 20 years. The Fenagh man was Leitrims delegate on the Connacht Handball Council for 10 years before being elected Connacht Handball Council President on 1st March last.

The dedicated official has work tirelessly for handball in Leitrim. A visionary before his time he set up clubs in Carrigallen, Manorhamilton,Cloone, Gortletteragh but unfortunately these clubs did not last long. Heaneys best efforts to have handball in the sports complex in Ballinamore fell through due to lack of interest. The same fate happened with the proposed alley in the Bee Park in Manorhamilton. Undeterred the resilient Heaney carried on and began coaching in the Fenagh Club.

Heaneys endeavour in Fenagh is exceptional. A decade long fundraising project was put in place for the development of the Fenagh Handball Club. His resoluteness, dynamism, energy & can do attitude is incomparable. With Heaneys hallmark the Fenagh court will be officially opened on the 6th May next. The completion of the Fenagh 60 x 30 Court is testament to Heaneys unrelenting drive and determination to achieve what looked like an impossible dream.

Coaching is his passion and has coached many Provincial, All-Ireland winners and a World Champion in Donal Wrynn. Heaney has high hopes that Wrynn will again become a World champion in October when Ireland hosts the World Championships.

In an outstanding career in handball administration the role that gave the celebrated official most satisfaction is “coaching children and watch them grow into wonderful adults.” And the newly elected Connacht Handball Council President Heaney wants to see the implementation of the (GAA Handball Strategic plan 2011- 2016) for the future fulfilled and to bring the game into more schools. “Handball has to be in at least 50% of GAA clubs with better promotion of the game on television and in the papers to glamorise our top players.”

Known as Mr. Handball in Leitrim the GAA Handball fraternity are now calling him St. Peter for all the miracles he has worked for handball in his beloved Leitrim. Heaneys lasting legacy in Leitrim is assured. The affable Fenagh club man will go down in the annals of Leitrim G.A.A Handball as one the Countys finest ever administrators.

http://hoganstand.com/handball/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=164747

 

 

21-Mar-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

Leitrim handballer Donal Wrynn is on the verge of making GAA Handball history

History beckons for Donal  Wrynn & Leitrim by Michael McGee

Thanks to Michael McGhee, Handball Correspondent, Hogan Stand for allowing us to reproduce this article from the Hogan Stand  http://hoganstand.com/Leitrim/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=164361

Leitrim handballer Donal Wrynn is on the verge of making G.A.A. Handball history as he attempts to bring the All-Ireland handball Minor Singles 40 x 20 title to Leitrim for the very first time. Not in its thirty-seven year history has a Leitrim player taken home the Minor singles 40 x 20 championship. Three years ago the Fenagh club man took the World by storm winning the Boys 15 & under World one-wall title in Portland Oregon.  Wrynn’s meteoric rise to World champion was astounding. The Irish & World handball fraternity stood up to take notice of Letrim’s rising young star.  In the intervening years Wrynn has won a Connacht U-15 40 x 20 title and both 40 x 20 & 60 x 30 at U-16 level.

Wrynn’s season began last November when he reached the final of the Boys 17 & under National 40 x 20 final only to lose narrowly to Clare’s Colin Corbett, who went on to win the U.S. Nationals in December with relative ease.  Despite that setback Wrynn worked hard on his game and was rewarded as a member of the successful Fenagh Junior B team that accounted for Garryhill Carlow in the All-Ireland club final. Wrynn has prepared meticulously over the past few months â€Å“I have worked hard onÓgetting into physically the right condition for the championship and have spent many hours in the court working on my various shots.â€Â

In the Connacht championships Wrynn breezed past opponents effortlessly.  His All-Ireland semi-final opponent was Monaghan’s Darren Doherty an Irish, U.S. & World champion. Wrynn suffered a heart breaking 1 point defeat at the hands of Doherty in the 2010 All-Ireland U-16 singles 60 x 30 final in Abbeylara that went to a tie breaker.  St. Coman’s Roscommon was the venue for this latest instalment and this time Wyrnn was ready for the battle.  It took three intensive games to dislodge Doherty & Wrynn showed his mettle to finally beat his great rival.
In recent weeks Wrynn has played Aengus Cunningham (Roscommon), Niall O’Connor (Kildare), Terry McElvaney (Monaghan) and this has helped to give him a ruthless & steely edge to his game.

â€Å“I’m hitting the ball much stronger than I have been doing before and my shot selection has improved. At the moment I am playing with a bit more confidence, having racked up a few important wins lately.â€Â

Wrynn has also represented Leitrim G.A.A at underage level and freely admits football has helped his handball game.  â€Å“Gaelic is a great help to me as it helps me to build up my fitness levels, and is also  great help in making me more aggressive in the handball courts. â€Å“ Wrynn, a 1st year student in DCU studying Accounting & Finance helped the DCU team to the Freshers A football league title recently.

Despite all his successes Wrynn has taken it all in his stride.  The gentle giant standing at 6’3â€Â is unfazed at the thought of winning Leitrim’s first Minor singles 40 x 20 title â€Å“Obviously I’m looking forward to the occasion. I think it is important that I don’t let it get to me. Galen Riordan will be a very tough opponent but hopefully I will just be able to edge it. This week I won’t train that much as I want to be as fresh and relaxed as possible going into the game.  I always find when I am more relaxed I play much better.â€Â

A natural born & skilful athlete Wrynn is blessed with great handball hands explosive speed and devastating firepower combined with great self inner belief. It is expected that there will be huge support from Leitrim travelling to the Roscommon venue.

In an enticing 3 match programme in St. Coman’s Roscommon Cavan’s Paul Brady Irish & World champion will be attempting to win the Men’s singles title for an unprecedented 8th successive year and 9th overall.  Brady’s opponent is Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy. McCarthy had a sensational 2011 winning the Men’s Hardball, Softball, Irish Nationals & U.S. Open. A mouth watering spectacle is in prospect with Brady wholly determined to re write the history books. The ladies final is a repeat of last year’s finale with reigning champions in Kerry’s Maria Daly & Ashley Prendiville facing the experienced Fiona Shannon & Sibeal Gallagher.  The TG4 cameras will be covering the finals which will be televised later in the season.

Path to the final:

Connacht semi-final Donal Wrynn bt Cathal Connelly Ros 21-6, 21-7
Connacht final: Donal bt Michael Lalor Galway  21-6, 21-2
All-Ireland semi-final Donal bt Darren Doherty Monaghan  12-21, 21-13, 21-11

The 2012 GAA Handball ONeills All Ireland Senior 40×20 Singles Final Saturday 24th March 2012, in St. Coman’s, Roscommon

12.00pm: Minor Singles â€â€œ Letrim (Donal Wyrnn) v Wexford (Galen Riordan)
1.15pm: Ladies Senior Doubles Final – Kerry (Maria Daly/Ashley Prendiville) v Antrim (Fiona Shannon/Sibeal Gallagher)
3.00pm: Mens Senior Singles Final – Westmeath (Robbie McCarthy) v Cavan (Paul Brady)

Michael McGee
Handball Correspondent
Hoganstand

 

 

16-Mar-12 by Colette Fox – PRO

Handball News week beginning 12th March 2012

No Success For Leitrim

Last week-end proved to be unsuccessful for Leitrims handballers with Shane Doonan and Donal Wrynn defeated in The All-Ireland 40×20 Minor Doubles Semi-Final and U14s Alan Wrynn and U14 Doubles Alan Doonan and Jarlath Scollan were defeated in their respective Connacht Finals.

In the Minor Semi-Final Doonan and Wrynn were up against Tyrones Paul Clarke and Gavan McCrystal and took the first match 21-18. In the second match the Leitrim pair raced into an 11-2 lead but in front of a home crowd the Tyrone lads turned the game around and won the match 21-15. This now took the game to a tie-breaker and with the Leitrim men under pressure the Tyrone pairing took the match 21-14 ending Leitrim hopes of an All-Ireland Minor double as Donal Wrynn has already qualified for The 40×20 Minor All-Ireland Final.

In The Connacht 40×20 Juvenile Finals played in Charlestown and Castlebar U14 Doubles Alan Doonan and Jarlath Scollan were defeated by Mayos M Mulhern and D Cosgrave on a score line of 15-10 15-10. In the U14 Singles Alan Wrynn was defeated by Galways Cian OConaighle.

GAA Presidents Award 

Congratulations to Fenaghs Peter Heaney who will be presented with a Presidents Award on Friday night in Croke Park. TG4 are providing live coverage of the awards starting at 7.30.

National Congress

GAA Handball National Congress takes place on Sunday March 18th in The Landmark Hotel, the first time Leitrim has hosted this event.

Connacht 40×20 Juvenile B Championships  

The Connacht B Championships Semi-Finals are fixed for the week-end of March 31st/April 1st and the Finals fixed for Easter Monday April 9th.

 

 

13-Mar-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

This weeks Handball News

All-Ireland Minor 40×20 Semi-Final

Donal Wrynn defeated Monaghans Darren Doherty in The All-Ireland 40×20 Minor Semi-Final on Sunday last on a score line of 12-21, 21-13, 21-11. The match played in Ballaghadeeren was a very tense affair with an All-Ireland Final appearance at stake. Wrynn never got going in the first game and was defeated 12-21. With the next game a must win one Wrynn upped his performance and took the game 21-13 taking the match to a tie-braker. Going into the third game the momentum was with Wrynn and he took the game 21-11 booking a place in the All-Ireland Minor 40×20 Final set for St Comans Roscommon on March 24th where he meets Wexfords Galen Riordan.

All-Ireland Minor Doubles 40×20 Semi-Final

Donal Wrynn and Shane Doonan are in action this week-end in the All-Ireland Minor Doubles 40×20 Semi-Final when they take on Paul Clarke and Gavan McCrystal in Kingscourt on Sunday March 11th.

World Handball Championships

Ireland hosts the “Worlds” in Citywest in Dublin from October 11th-22nd in 40×20 and One Wall. Its nine years since Ireland last hosted the World Championships, this time therell be competitors from 33 countries taking part in a purpose built complex under one roof. The Championships are held every three years, the last one in the US in 2009 where Fenaghs Donal Wrynn took the u15 One Wall Title. The entry fee is 100 euro with a maximum fee of 150 euro to register for all three categories.

One Wall Nationals

This years nationals will be held in Citywest in Dublin from July 6th-8th.

GAA Handball Convention

Leitrim hosts this years Convention for the first time on March 18th in The Landmark Hotel commencing at 11.00am.

 

 

05-Mar-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Leitrim Handball news

Connacht Minor Title For Leitrim

Fenaghs Shane Doonan and Donal Wrynn took the Connacht 40×20 Minor Doubles title on Sunday last in St Comans Roscommon when they defeated Galways Eanna Kelehan and Conor Noone on a score line of 21-6, 21-10. As the score suggests the Fenagh duo were in complete control with the Galway pair no match for the strength and skill of the Leitrim men. This win secured Donals second Connacht Minor Title having won the Connacht Minor 40×20 Singles title 2 weeks ago. The Leitrim pair now meet the Ulster Champions in the All-Ireland semi-final on March 10th.

Cuman na mBun Scoil Finals

The Leitrim Cuman na mBun Scoil 40×20 Finals were played in Drumshanbo on Sunday with St Caillains NS Fenagh and St Patricks NS Drumshanbo taking part in The Boys u11 section. Fenagh St Caillains emerged victorious with Cormac Scollan defeating Fergal Moran 15-7, 15-7 and Eoin McLoughlin and Fergal McLoughlin defeating Ciaran McMorrow and Gareth Gilmartin 15-2, 15-3. They join Robert Maguire u13, Oisin McLoughlin and David Wrynn u13D, Paula Gallagher u11 and Elizabeth Honeyman u13 in The Connacht Finals in Roscommon on February 25th.

Leitrim Handball Board AGM

At the recent AGM the following officers were elected:

Chairman: Jamie Murray, Vice Chairman John Joe Byrne

Secretary: Joel Smith, Ass Secretary: Mary Shanley.

Treasurer: Stephen Wrynn, Ass Treasurer: Martin Logan

PRO:Niall Scollan, Pat Wrynn.

Our out-going Chairman Peter Heaney was not up for re-election as he is now Connacht Council Chairman. This is the first Leitrim Handball Board without Peters involvement since it was established and without his drive and vision handball would be non existent in Leitrim. We wish him well in his new role.

National Congress

Leitrim is hosting this years congress on March 18th in The Landmark Hotel.

 

 

13-Feb-12 by Niall Scollan – Handball PRO

Handball News – 28 March 2010

Results.

Over the weekend Leitrims Ladies Connacht champions encountered tough opposition at the
all Ireland semi-final stage of the championship. Last years junior C singles all Ireland champion, Mary Shanley travelled all the way to Kilkenny city on Saturday to play Marie T ONeill. Mary had to bow out to a much more experienced player. Her Kilkenny opponent
dominated the game through out. Also on Saturday at Roscommon Ciara McLoughlin battled with great heart against a very accomplished player in Aoife McCarthy of Westmeath. The doubles pairing of Michelle Gaffney & Lenora Nellis also found the same Aoife MCarthy with doubles partner Niamh Egan a formidable duo.

Juvenile B Championship finals at Castlebar.

U12D Ruadhan O Curraoin & Oisin O Cualain (Galway) dft
Jarlath Scollan & Alan Wrynn(Leitrim)15-9,15-10.

U16S Colm MacDonnachadha (Galway) dft Paul Hazlett 15-4, 15-6.

U17S Tony Keane (Galway) Defeated James Hazlet (Leitrim) 15-14,15-10.

All Ireland Semi-Finals.

Ladies Junior C at Mullingar.
Aoife McCarthy & Niamh Egan (Westmeath) dft
Michelle Gaffney & Lenora Nellis (Leitrim) 21-11,21-8.

At Roscommon Aoife McCarthy(Westmeath) dft Ciara McLoughlin (Leitrim) 21-10,21-5.

In the Ladies Junior at O Loughlins Kilkenny.
Marie T ONeill(Kilkenny) dft Mary Shanley (Leitrim) 21-5, 21-6.

Fixtures.

Enter County Juvenile B team of 6 at Salthill Monday 5th April.
Trials to pick a Leitrim team for this competition are ongoing.

Community games semi-finals at Oxfield County Sligo on Saturday 10th April.
Leitrim will be represented by the Fenagh Club with an U13 team.

Entry forms for the Irish Nationals competition and the Williamstown One-Wall Tournament are available for download from the irish handball homepage. Also available from your local club.

 

 

30-Mar-10 by Stephen Wrynn – Handball PRO