The 2019 GAA Handball season came to a close today, Saturday 23rd November with the 4-Wall Inter-club All Ireland Championships. In the Open grade Moycullen (Galway) took the premier title for the first time when they defeated Kells (Meath) in the final on a 66-57 score-line.
The Open competition was played in Multyfarnham and Mullingar and in the first semi-final played in Mullingar, Kells defeated Mallow of Cork. In the second semi-final which was played in Multfarnham, Moycullen overcame St. Paul’s of Antrim and this was followed by the final.
In the final, Martin Mulkerrins gave Moycullen the perfect start with a great win against Robert Fox 15-1 followed by a 15-2 win in the second to give Moycullen an early 30-3 lead.
Match 2 went the way of Kells with the experience Brian Carroll and Tom Sheridan up against Seamus Connelly and Conor Noone with the men from the royal county won this one 15-6 and 15-3.
Going into the final match, Moycullen lead by 6 aces and this match turned out to be the tightest match of the day. But the experience Gary McConnell for Kells made no mistake and took the first 15-12 against Diarmuid Mulkerrins to cut the Moycullen lead down to just 3 aces. But the younger Mulkerrins made no mistake in the second game and took it and the title for the first time back to Moycullen on a 15-9 score to win the match 66-57 score-line.
The Junior competition was played in Ballymore Eustace with the semi-final in St. Brigids between Carrickmore (Tyrone) and Lisacul (Roscommon) off, as the Roscommon side had to withdraw. In the other semi-final Broadford (Limerick) overcame Coolboy (Wicklow) 75-38. In the final the Munster champions were just too strong for their Ulster opponents with Broadford defeating Carrickmore 60-42.
Finally, in the Junior B competition which was played in Curraghboy and St. Comans Roscommon. In the first semi-final Kells (Meath) defeated Liscarroll (Cork) while in the second semi-final Breacach (Tyrone) overcame Bofield (Mayo). In the final the Ulster champions just shaded their Leinster opponents with Breacach defeating Kells 71-62.
Thanks to all the clubs, players, referees and sincere thanks to the host clubs for their hospitality.
GAA Handball 4-Wall All Ireland Inter-club 2019 Results
OPEN
- Semi Final 1: Kells (Meath) dft Mallow (Cork) 70-44
Match 1: Gary McConnell (Kells) v Tadgh O’Neill (Mallow) 10-15, 15-10
Match 2: Brian Carroll/Tom Sheridan (Kells) dft Dale Cusack/Cian O’Driscoll (Mallow) 15-3, 15-8
Match 3: Robert Fox (Kells) dft David Walsh (Mallow) 15-8
- Semi Final 2: Moycullen (Galway) dft St. Paul’s (Antrim) 70-39
Match 1: Martin Mulkerrins (Moycullen) dft Jordan O’Neill (St. Paul’s) 15-8, 15-5
Match 2: Seamus Connelly/Conor Noone (Moycullen) dft Sean Devine/Seamus O’Tuama (St. Paul’s) 15-7, 10-15
Match 3: Diarmuid Mulkerrins (Moycullen) dft Mark Rainey (St. Paul’s) 15-4
- Final: Moycullen (Galway) dft Kells (Meath) 66-57
Match 1: Martin Mulkerrins (Moycullen) dft Robert Fox (Kells) 15-1, 15-2
Match 2: Brian Carroll/Tom Sheridan (Kells) dft Seamus Connelly/Conor Noone (Moycullen) 15-6, 15-3
Match 3: Diarmuid Mulkerrins (Moycullen) dft Gary McConnell (Kells) 12-15, 15-9
JUNIOR
- Semi Final 1: Broadford (Limerick) dft Coolboy (Wicklow) 75-38
- Semi Final 2: Carrickmore (Tyrone) W/O Lisacul (Roscommon) scr.
- Final: Broadford (Limerick) dft Carrickmore (Tyrone) 60-42
JUNIOR B
- Semi Final 1: Kells (Meath) dft Liscarroll (Cork) 79-61
Match 1: Daniel Farrelly (Kells) dft Luke Barrett (Liscarroll) 14-15, 15-9
Match 2: Jimmy Reilly/Anthony McConnell (Kells) dft Tadhg Jones/John Hurley (Liscarroll) 10-15, 15-4
Match 3: Troy Flanagan (Kells) dft Colin Healy (Liscarroll) 15-11, 10-7
- Semi Final 2: Breacach (Tyrone) dft Bofield (Mayo)
- Final: Breacach (Tyrone) dft Kells (Meath) 71-62
Match 1: Daniel Farrelly (Kells) dft Matthew McCartan (Breacach) 15-11, 15-0
Match 2: Caolán McCartan/Jack Darcy (Breacach) dft Jimmy Reilly/Anthony McConnell (Kells) 15-7, 15-9
Match 3: Aaron Owens (Breacach) dft Troy Flanagan (Kells) 15-8, 15-8