Last Friday 19 June saw the inaugural representative fixture of the Defence Forces against An Garda Síochana in One-Wall Handball.
The Defence Forces hosted the event in the new One-Wall facility in Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway. This facility is one of four new One-Wall facilities across the Defence Forces, the others being located in Cathal Brugha Bks, Dublin, Collins Bks, Cork & Stephens Bks, Kilkenny.
The started with the first ball being served on the wall by Ceannfort Díarmuid O'Donoghue (representing OC 1 Cn Cois), therefore declaring both the wall open and the start of the games.
As is standard in the DF v GS fixture, the games were first to 21 aces, with cumulative aces deciding the winning team on the day. It also had the strongest players from both sides being declared in the "Senior Fixture" of the day, with the other fixtures (doubles) being drawn at random.
From the start, the Gardaí appeared to be running away with the competition (reminiscent of other fixtures) with Frank Macken & Des Dowd hammering home ace after ace until the DF pair of S/S Ciarán Gallen & Pte Kirk Greene found their mark and started to close the gap. The game set the tone for the onlookers and team members with roaring and shouting that could be heard at the Barrack Gates.
The come-back from Greene & Gallen brought the game to 20-15, and the excitement didn't stop there, with the game going to 20-18 before the Gardaí got back in, only to give a hand out and allow the troops to pull it back to 20-19. Unfortunately, the seasoned Gardaí took back the serve and nailed the final ace to win the game.
With the second game lined up, the DF Bainisteoir sent in his 2014 Senior One-Wall Champion Sgt Glen O'Kelly paired with a new but established Carlowman Pte Darren Darcy to try and pull back the aces against the experienced Garda pair of Michéal Ó Rainne & Tony Hannon. With the Gardaí turning over the serve in the first few hands and keeping the army pair in check, O'Kelly got back into serve at 5-1 and from there took charge with a great use of placement shots and defensive blocking to bring the game onwards in favour of the DF. Darcy confirmed the game with kills and long returns from well outside of the playing area to bring the game to 21-2.
Now with the DF 17 aces in the good, the local troops of S/S Joe Doherty & S/S Dave McConn lined up against the might of Niall Maher & Colm Gregan. Confidence abounding, it was a game of power serves and low returns from both sides. The experienced Galway pair were 14-9 down on the first time-out, and the Gardaí had some wise words from coach David Hannon that allowed them to finish out the game 21-13.
This result made things very interesting for all the onlookers as the deficit being reduced to 9 aces in favour of the DF.
The fourth game saw Conor McDonnell & David Hannon line up against the current DF Intermediate Champion Cpl Eddie Clifford & Former Junior Champion Pte Damien Brennan. With the pressure on the Kilkennymen to increase the deficit before the last and most anticipated game, the infantrymen went in with all guns blazing! Shot after shot followed in favour of the experienced DF pair, but not to be outdone, the crowd pleasing kills came from the Gardaí. With the game at 15-10, the military regained the serve and finished it out at 21-10.
With the DF ahead on 20 aces, the Senior Gardaí player, Campbell Brennan had to face the current DF Senior Champion in 40x20, 40x20 Doubles & One-Wall, O/Mech Robbie McCarthy Jr (not to mention his current National & International Titles). He faced a monumental task of trying to keep the sailor from getting any aces at all, but unfortunately, McCarthy was in flying from on the day and showed that Irish Handball is in very safe hands by displaying shots and serves that the onlookers could only dream of executing. Unfortunately, after a brave defence and some nice kills from Brennan, McCarthy won the game 21-2.
With the final score of DEFENCEFORCES 95 v 56 GARDAÍ, the DF claimed their first victory over their friendly rivals, showing that all of the hard work put in by all members of the DF Handball Club since it's inception in 2011 is starting to pay off (as well as a few fortunate recruits joining their ranks). Sáirsint Eric O'Brien recieves the perpetual shield from Ceannfort O'Donoghue.
Pte Darcy is a fine example of a player who only started playing handball in February of this year and made it all the way to last Friday, along with the DF subs of S/S Patrick McKernon, S/S Conor O'Brien & Pte Kieth Mulaney who also only started playing at the same time being called up to the DF team to play a national fixture. Handball is a sport for all, and is open to players of all ages and levels to get involved in both the DF and Gardaí.
The next fixture is the 60x30 DF v GS event to be held in Kilkenny this Autumn.
Thanks to all who attended on both sides and to all who would like to start playing, please contact Sáirsint Eric O'Brien at 1840 or your local BPEO.
Photos by Sáirsint Quintin Tierney
Sáirsint Eric O'Brien,
Complacht Tacaíochta,
An Chéad Cathlán Coisithe