Handball News: Three Titles for Leitrim at Irish Wallball Nationals

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.

 

 

Gary Cox, Adam Neary, Maxim Gilmartin from Annaduff Handball Club at the 2025 Irish Wallball Nationals in Co Tyrone.

 

David Mahon
Liathroid Láimhe Liatroma
https://www.facebook.com/LeitrimHandball

2025 Club Championship Fixtures for w/e 4-5 Oct

 

The fixture details for the Connacht Gold Senior Semi Finals have been released and are as follows:

 

The draw details for the Smith Monumentals IFC – QF are below.  These fixtures are due to be played on w/e 19-21st Sept.

 

 

 

 

The fixture details for the Fresh Today Junior A – Qtr Finals have been released and are as follows:

 

 

 

 

The fixture details for the Fresh Today Junior C – Round 3 has been released and is as follows:

 

 

 

 

#LeitrimClubChamp | #GAAbelong

 

2025 Club Championship Fixtures for w/e 27-28 Sept

 

The fixture details for the Connacht Gold Senior Round 4 have been released and are as follows:

 

 

The draw details for the Smith Monumentals IFC – QF are below.  These fixtures are due to be played on w/e 19-21st Sept.

 

 

 

 

The fixture details for the Fresh Today Junior A – Round 5 have been released and are as follows:

 

 

 

 

The fixture details for the Fresh Today Junior B – Round 3 has been released and is as follows:

 

 

 

 

#LeitrimClubChamp | #GAAbelong

 

2025 Club Championship Fixtures for w/e 20-21 Sept & Ticketing Updates

Livestreaming will commence next Saturday for the Senior Quarter Finals onwards as per previous years in both Connacht Gold SFC & the Smith Monumentals IFC championships on our usual  JWPlayer/InPlayer Platform.

📺 | Live.LeitrimGAA.ie

Digital Ticketing will also be in operation in Páirc Seán MacDiarmada from this point forward and can be purchased from our Universe Ticket portal.

🎟️ | Tickets.LeitrimGAA.ie

Both Ticketing Systems will be live from Wednesday, 10th Sept.

 

 

The fixture details for the Connacht Gold Senior Quarter Finals have been released and are as follows:

 

 

 

The fixture details for the Smith Monumentals IFC – Round 4 have been released and are as follows:

 

 

 

 

The fixture details for the Fresh Today Junior C – Round 3 has been released and is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

#LeitrimClubChamp | #GAAbelong

📺 | Live.LeitrimGAA.ie
🎟️ | Tickets.LeitrimGAA.ie

Handball News: Fenagh’s Sophie Kane Proves She’s ACE!

Fenagh’s Sophie Kane Proves She’s ACE!
Leitrim stars shine at national ladies’ handball festival in Galway

The 2025 edition of the She’s ACE handball festival brought an action-packed weekend to venues across County Galway, celebrating the rising strength of the women’s game in Ireland. The event attracted more than 150 female players from across the country, competing in juvenile and adult wallball grades.
Leitrim was proudly represented by Katie, Sophie, and Abbie Kane from Fenagh Handball Club, with standout performances across the board.
The highlight of the weekend came from Sophie Kane, who claimed the Under-13 Singles title after emerging victorious from a highly competitive 30-player field. It’s yet another impressive milestone in what has been an exceptional year for the talented young athlete, firmly establishing her among the country’s most promising juvenile female players.
Sophie’s younger sister, Abbie, also made her mark, reaching the semi-finals of the Under-11 competition, while older sister Katie was unfortunately forced to withdraw early due to injury.
Organised by GAA Handball, She’s ACE is a nationwide initiative aimed at boosting participation and visibility for women and girls in the sport. Alongside competitive play, the festival features fun and inclusive events like “Mother & Daughter” and “Mothers and Others” doubles, creating a welcoming space for all ages and skill levels.
Up next for our Leitrim Handball players is the “Aon Bhaile Inis Mór 2025” competition on the Aran Islands next weekend, before attention turns to the Irish Wallball Nationals in Co Tyrone from September 26th-28th. With impressive showings from players like the Kane sisters, handball in Leitrim continues to thrive — and the future looks bright.
Comhghairdeas a chailíní!

 

 

David Mahon
Liathroid Láimhe Liatroma
https://www.facebook.com/LeitrimHandball

Fixtures & Results refreshed on LeitrimGAA.ie — honouring 20 years of a familiar look

Leitrim GAA today unveils a refreshed Fixtures & Results section that respects two decades of tradition while embracing a cleaner, modern presentation.

Back in 2005, LeitrimGAA.ie introduced a new website with a distinctive fixtures/results colour scheme that quickly became part of how supporters followed club and county action online. While the website has seen multiple improvements since then — including a major platform upgrade in 2018 — the fixtures/results layout remained true to that original approach for 20 years.

The new version keeps that heritage in view while aligning with the GAA’s contemporary branding (green: football/purple: hurling) for fixtures and results. It also introduces club crests throughout — covering county squads and all Leitrim-based clubs — to make fixtures easier to scan on mobile and desktop, and to add a little extra club identity to every listing.

Crucially, nothing is lost: the Results Archive remains intact, with match results available all the way back to 2004.
Supporters, media and club volunteers can continue to look up historic scorelines and track progress through past campaigns in one place.

Here is a quick link to the common pages that attract thousands of visitors per week:
Today,     Fixtures Next 10 Days,    Results Last 10 days,    Competitions – Club,     Competitions – Coiste na nÓg,     Competitions – County

 

Club pages refreshed:
As part of this upgrade, all 23 club pages now have a refreshed layout: which includes an embedded Fixtures & Results panel specific to each club.

There is also a one-click “F & R of Associated Teams” view, ensuring amalgamated teams by grade/competition are covered—links that previously weren’t easy to find.

Each page also includes the club’s map location, plus direct links to the club website and social channels for quick follow-up.

The result is a consistent, mobile-friendly experience that keeps every club’s activity and associated teams in one place.

A Club Fixtures Focus panel is now available via the home page and also via the Club main page or the drop down menus on the side panels.

Here is a quick link the club pages:   Clubs

 

 

 

A Step back in Time – Who remembers these images ?

Our website in June 2005

 

The 2007 Website banner

 


The 2013 Website banner

2025 Club Championship Fixtures for w/e 12-14 Sept

 

The fixture details for the Connacht Gold Senior Round 4 have been released and are as follows:

 

 

 

The draw details for the Smith Monumentals IFC – Round 4 are below.  These fixtures are due to be played on w/e 19-21st Sept.

 

 

 

 

The fixture details for the Fresh Today Junior A – Round 4 have been released and are as follows:

 

 

 

 

The fixture details for the Fresh Today Junior B – Round 1 has been released and is as follows:

 

 

 

The fixture details for the Fresh Today Junior C – Round 2 has been released and is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

#LeitrimClubChamp | #GAAbelong

 

2026 Leitrim Under 20 Football Team Manager Vacancy

Leitrim GAA is seeking expressions of interest from interested parties for the position of Leitrim Under 20 Manager for 2026.

Experience and skills

  • Relevant coaching experience at the level of the vacancy
  • Strong experience of managing and building good team relationships
  • Demonstrate knowledge and experience of best coaching practices
  • A strong interest and understanding of Leitrim GAA and working as a team along with other relevant Leitrim Team Managements

Essential Criteria

  • Garda Vetted
  • Safeguarding 1
  • Award 1 GAA coaching qualification

Desirable Criteria

  • Award 2 GAA coaching qualification

Interested parties should apply in writing and submit a CV with details of coaching qualifications and management experience for consideration by email to secretary.leitrim@gaa.ie by 5pm on Monday, September 15th.

Handball News: Kanes Make It an All-Leitrim Final at “Battle of the Courts 2025”

Kanes Make It an All-Leitrim Final at “Battle of the Courts 2025”

Clough-Ballacolla, Co. Laois – Leitrim’s emerging handball talent made a powerful impression at the “Battle of the Courts 2025” last weekend, as six juvenile players competed against the country’s best in an early-season showcase. Hosted by Clough-Ballacolla Handball Club in County Laois, the event drew over 70 young athletes from all four provinces and served as a key warm-up for the upcoming Connacht and National 1-Wall Championships.

Leading the way for Leitrim were Fenagh sisters Sophie and Abbie Kane, who lit up the U13 girls’ division. Both impressed on opposite sides of the draw, showing outstanding skill and composure to reach the final. Sophie ultimately claimed the title, continuing her excellent run of form in 2025. Abbie, competing above her age category, also turned heads with her maturity and consistent performances. The duo will be strong favourites heading into the Connacht Championship.
In the U17 girls’ division, Katie Kane delivered a gritty and determined display. After a narrow defeat in her opener, she bounced back strongly with a dominant win and was unlucky to lose her third game 21-18 in a tightly contested encounter. As one of the younger competitors in this grade and facing some of the top-ranked players in the country, Katie showed she’s right in the mix as the championship season approaches.

In the U17 boys’ competition, Annaduff’s Gary Cox began strongly with a first-round win before facing Wexford’s Nathan Lawlor in a high-quality match. Despite a 21-15 loss, Cox played some outstanding handball. With some tightening of his serve, he looks poised to make a real impact in the weeks ahead.
Fenagh’s Daniel Kane also put in a strong showing in the U15 boys’ division. He secured wins against opponents from Kilkenny and Cork before narrowly losing out to eventual champion Thomas O’Brien of Wexford. Their match was evenly balanced until a few late errors swung momentum. Kane’s display suggests he’ll be a serious contender when championship action kicks off.
Annaduff’s Adam Neary also impressed in the U15 boys’ grade. After three consecutive wins, he once again met Wexford powerhouse Charlie Roche who denied him a place in the final four. While Roche repeated his win from a previous meeting, Neary showed continued improvement and is steadily closing the gap with the top players. He’ll be a key player for Leitrim in the provincial campaign.

As the Connacht and National 1-Wall Championships draw closer, Leitrim’s juvenile handballers look well-prepared to make their mark in 2025. Next up for the girls are back-to-back weekends of action, starting with the “She’s ACE” Wallball Festival in Galway (Sept 12–13). They will be joined by the boys on the following weekend for a trip to the Aran Islands to compete in the “Aon Bhalla Inis Mór” event.

L-R : Sophie Kane (Fenagh) – Winner of Girls U13 division, Kevin Brennan – Clough Ballacolla Handball Club, Abbie Kane (Fenagh) – Runner Up

 

David Mahon
Liathroid Láimhe Liatroma
https://www.facebook.com/LeitrimHandball

2025 Club Championship Fixtures for w/e 5-7 Sept

 

The Draw for Senior Round 4 has by default revealed itself following the round 3 draw. These fixtures are due to be played on w/e 12-14th Sept.

 

 

 

The fixture details for the Smith Monumentals IFC – Round 3 have been released and are as follows:

 

 

 

 

The fixture details for the Fresh Today Junior A – Round 3 have been released and are as follows:

 

 

The fixture details for the Fresh Today Junior B – Round 2 has been released and is as follows:

 

 

The fixture details for the Fresh Today Junior C – Round 2 has been released and is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

#LeitrimClubChamp | #GAAbelong

 

Leitrim GAA Management Update

Following last night’s Management Committee meeting, Leitrim GAA confirms approval for the reappointment of Steven Poacher as Senior Football Manager on a two-year term, subject to ratification at the next meeting of Leitrim GAA County Committee on September 8th.

At underage level, Danny Beck and Ciaran Kennedy have been approved for reappointment as joint Minor (U17) managers on a two-year term, maintaining continuity and a consistent player-development pathway.

Leitrim GAA also confirms that Barry McWeeney was offered a further two-year term as U20 manager but decided not to continue in the role.  Leitrim GAA extends sincere thanks to Barry for his leadership over the past four years, having served as selector with Leitrim Senior Team 2022-24, and acknowledges his contribution to Leitrim both on the side-line and as a former player.  Grateful appreciation is also extended to his backroom team for their service.

The process to confirm a new U20 management team will commence immediately, with details to follow in due course.

Handball News: Maxim Gilmartin’s Brave All-Ireland Semifinal Performance Ends in Defeat

Maxim Gilmartin’s Brave All-Ireland Semifinal Performance Ends in Defeat in Boys U14 Singles – All Ireland 60×30 Softball Semifinal

Leitrim’s Maxim Gilmartin showed immense grit and determination but was ultimately defeated in his U14 singles All-Ireland semifinal against Tyrone’s Eolann Kelly on Saturday last.

Competing in Kelly’s home alley at Loughmacrory Co Tyrone, Maxim found himself under pressure from the outset, losing the first game 15-1. However, the Annaduff native responded with renewed resolve in the second. After falling behind 10-1, Maxim found a serve that Kelly struggled to handle and mounted a remarkable comeback, bringing the score back to 13-12. With Maxim gaining control of the game, the match appeared poised for a tiebreaker, but a misjudged serve allowed Kelly the opportunity to close out the match, winning 15-12.

Despite the defeat, Maxim’s tenacity and fightback earned widespread admiration, with many believing he deserved the chance to play a deciding game. Though it wasn’t his day, Maxim’s performance served as a strong reminder of his potential and promise for the future.

 

David Mahon
Liathroid Láimhe Liatroma
https://www.facebook.com/LeitrimHandball