Annaduff’s Maxim Gilmartin shines in the Shannonside Handball League Finals.

The inaugural Shannonside Winter Handball League drew to an exciting conclusion on Sunday afternoon last with the grand finals up for decision in Fenagh alley. This new event on the local handball calendar saw 32 up and coming handballers from Leitrim and surrounding clubs compete for silverware in 2 divisions. Sunday last was the culmination of over 65 exciting league matches played during the Christmas break in Fenagh, Drumshanbo, and the Leitrim GAA Centre of Excellence in Annaduff.

The marquee A division finals lived up to their billing when four top juvenile players displayed amazing skills and astounding rallies, justifying their places in the finals. Annaduff club rivals Peter Cox and Maxim Gilmartin served up an enthralling match in the first semi-final. Despite Maxim winning these games were a lot closer than the score suggested. Meanwhile, the second semi-final saw Fenagh’s Ruairí McKiernan playing Drumshanbo’s Mark MacShera. These two skilful rivals served up some exciting rallies, but Ruairí edged the match to book his place in the final.

Maxim’s greater age and strength came to the fore in the final as he controlled proceedings for most of the match, however Ruairí did give him plenty to think about at stages with some great serve and return play. Maxim took gold this time, but with continued training Ruairí will be a strong contender in years to come.

Collooney’s Lochlan Walsh played Annaduff’s Enda Sharkey in the B league final with Lochlan taking home the gold to Sligo after a very entertaining match. These are two names to watch out for in the future. The B Plate final was an all Annaduff affair with Padraig Mahon and Rhys Glancy vying for the gold medal. Playing to Cumann na mBunscol rules, Padraig took some early scores off Rhys’ serve to push himself into the lead. Rhys came back strong with some brilliant return play down the centre, however Padraig did just enough to hold him off and take gold.

Although winning medals was a nice bonus, the core aim of this league was to give players an opportunity to improve their skillsets and confidence in a competitive environment ahead of their upcoming 4-wall championships. Both beginner and experienced players alike achieved this objective, and it was especially heartening to see so many new players grow in confidence as the league progressed.

A special word of thanks to everyone who helped set up and run the League in Fenagh, Drumshanbo and Annaduff over the last number of weeks. Also thank you to the referees, and to the club committees for arranging food, heat and light in all the venues. Finally, a huge thank you to all the competitors, coaches and parents for making this new league such a big success.

Best of luck to everyone as they go into their respective championship competitions.

Congratulations to all the Shannonside Handball League winners and finalists.

A League:

1st – Maxim Gilmartin (Annaduff)

2nd – Ruairí McKiernan (Fenagh)

3rd – Peter Cox (Annaduff)

Runner Up – Mark MacShera (Drumshanbo)

 

B League:

1st – Lochlan Walsh (Collooney)

2nd – Enda Sharkey (Annaduff)

3rd – Abbie Kane (Fenagh)

Runner Up – Doireann McKiernan (Fenagh)

 

B Plate:

1st – Padraig Mahon (Annaduff)

2nd – Rhys Glancy (Annaduff)

3rd – Joe Canning (Drumshanbo)

David Mahon
13/01/2025

 

 

Handball News: European 1-wall title for Fenagh’s Sophie Kane

2025 is less than one week old and Leitrim Handball is already celebrating a rare multiple medal success at international level! Building on their recent World Championships titles, Fenagh’s Kane family augmented their growing reputation in1-wall circles bringing back a gold, silver and bronze medal from the European 1-wall Tour – Junior Open which took place in Menaldum, Netherlands on Friday and Saturday last.

Sophie Kane made short work of a packed international field to claim the girls u13 European title. Entering the arena at 7:30am Friday morning, she put in a sterling performance to cruise through her 4 group and 2 playoff games in under three hours, dropping no more than 4 points in any of her sets! This result cements Sophie’s status as the top u13 girls 1-wall player at European and world level.

Not one to rest on her laurels, on Saturday Sophie renewed her successful world championship doubles partnership with Tipperary’s Molly Joyce. Playing in an U15 category, Sophie and Molly fought off older pairings for a place in the European doubles final. Up against a strong Belgian & English doubles combination in the final, Sophie and Molly gave it their all but finished in second place claiming the European silver medals.

Older sister Katie competed in the European girls u17 singles competition. Flying out of the traps, Katie topped her group beating England’s number 1 player along the way. Despite playing well, Katie bowed out in the semi-final to eventual winner Eloise Clément from Belgium.  A European bronze medal is a magnificent achievement for Katie.

Katie’s younger brother Daniel also participated in the European boys u15 competition. He played exceptionally well, doing enough to exit a tough group and make it to the quarter final stage. A highly commendable achievement in a very packed field.   Well done, Daniel.

Sophie, who is also shortlisted for the Leitrim Junior Sports Individual 2024 award, is the first Leitrim Handballer to achieve international title success since Donal Wrynn back in 2009.
Congratulations and well done to Sophie, Katie, Daniel and all involved in Fenagh Handball. Exciting times ahead.

David Mahon
PRO Leitrim Handball

   

Leitrim Handball Juvenile Christmas League reaches knockout stages

Updated Friday pm:

There was some great action served up in the Handball Juvenile Christmas League – Round 2 qualifiers and B-Plate matches in Fenagh earlier this evening.
Quarter final pairings in the A competition are now decided with Mark, Ruairi, Eoin and Gary progressing to contest Sophie, Daniel, Maxim and Peter for places in the semi-finals later this weekend.
Well done also to Joe and Padraig who played a very entertaining curtain raiser in the B-Plate competition this evening.
Weather permitting, next round of matches are pencilled in for Sunday and Monday evening next.

 

 

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Original News Item:   

 

The Leitrim Handball Juvenile Christmas League reaches knockout stages this weekend in Fenagh, and competition is sure to heat up with some very exciting 2nd round and quarter final fixtures down for decision.

First game at 5pm this evening.

Good Luck to all competing.

 

Latest Handball News 07/03/2019

Last Sunday Leitrim hosted the Connaught A Juvenile Finals in Drumshanbo and Fenagh Handball Clubs. Seven finals were played in Drumshanbo and six in Fenagh. This is the top level of Handball in Connaught and saw players from all 5 Connaught counties coming to Leitrim. The only Leitrim player taking part in the competition was Ciaran McMorrow from Drumshanbo Handball Club. Ciaran was narrowly beaten in the final by Cormac Finn from Sligo and came away with the Silver Connaught Medal.

Leitrim Handball would like to thank all the volunteers who took part in the event, the Referees, the Ladies who provided food and to all the supporters on the day.

Latest Handball News

Connacht 60×30 Finals – Leitrim handballers were involved in two Connacht finals at the weekend, Intermediate singles, and Junior doubles, In the Intermediate final Martin Raftery came up against Galway’s Kevin Craddock. The Galway man completely dominated both games, defeating Martin 21-9, 21-3. The Junior pairing of Leo Logan and Jamie Murray fared no better in the Junior final, coming up against a strong Roscommon pairing of Denis Creaton and Sean Jennings, losing on a score line of 21-7, 21-4. Those finals were played in Williamstown and Collooney respectfully.

Fenagh Handball Club hosted its first All-Ireland Finals on Sunday, the Ladies Intermediate Final (Roscommon v Westmeath) and the Emerald Masters Final (Sligo v Westmeath). The Ladies final was won by Roscommon’s Fiona Tully 7-21, 21-20, 21-9, while the Emerald Masters was won by Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy Snr 21-3, 21-11.
Pictured after The All-Ireland 60×30 Ladies Intermediate Final are Aoife McCarthy and Fiona Tully.
Pictured before the Connacht 60×30 Junior Doubles Final are Sean Jennings, Denis Creaton, Leo Logan and Jamie Murray.
Pictured before the Connacht 60×30 Intermediate Final are Martin Raftery and Kevin Craddock.

Handball News 10/04/2018

The Connaught B Handball Competition has been going on over the last few weeks. Leitrim had a Team of 19 playing in the Competition. We played Sligo and Roscommon in the Quarter and Semi-Finals

Last week saw the finals played in Aughagower in Mayo. Seven Leitrim Players won Silver Medals in Trilling Finals.
Medal Winners
Back Row L/R
Evan Foley, Conor Flood, Ronan Moran, Amy O Donnell
Front Row L/R
Aoibhe Logan, Aoife Nolan, Edel O Donnell.
 

Handball News 11/03/2013

All-Ireland 40×20 Junior B Semi-Final – There was no joy for Jarlath Scollan in the Junior B All-Ireland Semi-Final where he suffered defeat at the hands of Waterford’s Kavan O’Keefe, losing on a scoreline of 5-21, 18-21. Although Jarlath got off to a strong start in the first game going 4-0 up, O’Keefe took control and completely dominated the game with fantastic kill shots and top class serving. The second game started the same way with Scollan again going 4-0 up before losing serve, but unlike the first game, he won some key rallies, keeping the Waterford man under pressure. Trailing 14-19 he regained serve and with an upset looking likely, he lost a crucial rally at 18-19. O’Keefe then edged out a victory taking the game 21-18.
 
Connacht 40×20 Juvenile B Championship – The Connaught B Handball Quarter and Semi-Finals took place in Drumcliffe and Collooney on Sunday. After a great days Handball enjoyed by all, seven Leitrim Players go forward to the Connaught Finals in a Mayo Venue in two weeks. Well Done to all the players who participated in the Semi-Finals. The players going forward to represent Leitrim in the 2018 Connaught final are; Evan Foley, Conor Flood, Ronan Moran, Edel O Donnell, Aoibhe Logan, Amy O Donnell and Aoife Nolan. Best of Luck to all our Handballers.

Handball News

Leitrim handball hosted the Connaught Finals of the Colleges Connaught Finals in Drumshanbo and Fenagh Handball Clubs on Sunday last. 17 Games were played in Total to complete the competition. Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim took part. The competition consisted of four Grades. First Year, Junior, Minor and Senior in Boys and Girls.
Leitrim had 8 players taking part. Ronan Moran, Edel O Donnel, Amy O Donnell, Evan Foley, Dean Cornyn, Karl
Foley all from Drumshanbo Vocational School. Darren Wrynne from Ballinamore Community School. Aoibhe Logan who Played for Ursuline College Sligo.In total, Leitrim players came home with 7 Silver Medals.  Congrats to all. Leitrim Handball would like to thank all the referees and all the people who fed the players and their families on the day as this was the first time this event came to Leitrim.

Hnadball NEWS 20/02/2018

Connacht 40×20 Juvenile A Finals – The Connacht Juvenile A finals were played in Claregalway Co. Galway on Saturday with two Leitrim handballers in action: Ciaran McMorrow (Drumshanbo HC) and Cormac Scollan (Fenagh HC). It wasn’t to be Leitrim’s day with both players coming up against stronger opposition. In the U14 final, Ciaran was defeated by Mikey Kelly (Galway) while In the U16 final Cormac was defeated by Lorcan Conlon (Mayo).

Connacht Junior B Championship – Jarlath Scollan was awarded the Connacht Junior B title after his opponent Jonathan Conroy (Mayo) conceded the final due to injury on Saturday. Jarlath faces Munster opposition in the All-Ireland semi-final on Sunday, March 4th. In the Connacht 40×20 Junior B Doubles quarter-final, Fenagh’s Alan Wrynne and Barry McDonagh take on Stanley Harte and Tony Fox (Sligo) tonight (Wednesday) in Collooney at 8.00pm.
Connacht Colleges B Finals – Leitrim will host the Colleges B finals this Sunday with games being played in Drumshanbo and Fenagh alleys.

Handball News

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Connacht Junior B 40×20 Semi-Final – Fenagh’s Jarlath Scollan booked his place in the Connacht 40×20 Junior B Final with a hard fought victory over Galway’s James Dempsey on Sunday on a scoreline of 12-21, 21-12, 21-11. Although the scoreline doesn’t suggest it, the game was much closer, with long rallies and both players executing some great kill shots.

Connacht Cuman na mBunscol Finals – The Cuman na mBunscol Finals were played in Salthill Co. Galway on Sunday with 5 pupils from St Patrick’s NS Drumshanbo taking part: Aidan Dowler, Aoife Nolan, Daire McCabe, Sean Nolan, and Senan McGowan. Aoife Nolan won a Connacht Bronze Medal in the Girls U13 competition. Well done to all the participants

Leitrim Colleges B 40×20 Final – The Colleges B First Year Doubles final was played in Drumshanbo on Sunday between Darren Wrynne and Paul Flynn (Ballinamore CS) and Dean Cornyn and Karl Foley (Drumshanbo VS). After 2 thrilling games, the Drumshanbo pair came out on top 15 -7  15 – 3.

Handball News

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Connacht 40×20 Junior Championship – The Connacht 40×20 Junior Championship is up and running with first-round games played at the weekend. Brothers Aaron and Jarlath Scollan (Fenagh) faced Sligo opposition in the Junior B and Junior C quarter finals which were played in Drumshanbo. In Junior C Aaron took on Eddie O’Connor (Collooney) but was defeated on a score line of 21-3, 21-4.

In Junior B Jarlath’s opposition was Stanley Harte (Collooney), where the Leitrim player carved out a tough victory, with the game going right down to the wire. In a very entertaining game which was played at a very high-intensity Jarlath won on a score line of 21-19, 13-21, 21-19. He now meets Galway’s James Dempsey in the semi-final which is fixed for this Sunday in Drumshanbo at 2pm.
Leitrim Cumann na mBunscol Finals – Leitrim Cumann na mBunscol was held in Drumshanbo Handball Club on Sunday last with three Schools taking part:

Scoil Mhuire Carrick on Shannon

Gaelscoil Chluainin Manorhamilton

St Patricks National school Drumshanbo.

The winners go forward to the Connacht Finals.

Boys U11 Singles

Daire McCabe. St Patricks Drumshanbo

Boys U11 Doubles

Sean Nolan and Senan McGowan. St Patricks Drumshanbo

Girls U13 Singles

Aoife Nolan, St Patricks Drumshanbo.

Girls U13 Doubles

Hanna Smith and Lasairione Scarff. Gaelscol Chluainin, Mahorhamilton

Boys U13 singles

Aidan Dowler. St Patricks Drumshanbo.

Boys U13 Doubles.

Thomas McKeon and Conor McLoughlin. St Patricks Drumshanbo

Handball News

Leitrim 40×20 Junior B Final

Barry McDonagh and Jarlath Scollan contested the Leitrim 40×20 Junior B Final played in Fenagh on Sunday. Jarlath won the final on a score line of 21-10, 21-8. He now goes on to represent Leitrim in the Connacht Junior B Championship.
Connacht Colleges Finals
The Colleges A Connacht Finals were held in St Colman’s Handball Club Roscommon on Saturday with 2 young players from Leitrim taking part, Ciaran McMorrow and Cormac Scollan.
 In the First Years’ Final Ciaran McMorrow (Drumshanbo Vocational School) took on Stephen Kelly (Pres Athenry) Galway. McMorrow playing in his first competitive Match in almost 2 years after injury defeated  Kelly 15-3, 15-7 to win the Connaught Medal.
 In the Intermediate Final Cormac Scollan (Ballinamore Community School) took on Eimhin Dillon (CCCM An Spideal), Galway. Scollan lost out to a stronger Dillon on a scoreline of 15-10, 15-4.