The 2019 She's Ace Festival Weekend was certainly one to remember!
A total of 162 females headed west to smash our entry records, aged from 9 through to 40+, and got the opportunity to make friends and memories for life.
Saturday saw the focus turn to 4-Wall and we had 9 venues in action across Mayo & Sligo, climaxing in a Finals night for the 15&U, 17&U, and Ladies Open Finals. Yet again we saw a full capacity at the Aughagower venue and some quality handball.
The showpiece final was of course the Ladies Open and brought another cracking contest between the best two players in the world in Catriona Casey (Cork) & Martina McMahon (Limerick). Reigning All-Ireland & World champion McMahon entered as favourite but it was Casey who stormed into an early and dominated the opening exchanges with some aggressive play. A few surges from McMahon somewhere from nowhere saw her serve at game ball 14-12, but Casey refused to give in edged the first 15-14.
That appeared to give her the confidence to push on, and that is what she done, winning the second 15-7 to win her 5th She's Ace Title in the 6th edition of the event.
In the 17&U Final, Noelle Dowling (Kilkenny) proved too strong for Cuilleann Bourke (Mayo), winning her second straight She's Ace title, having won last years 15&U crown. This year that crown went to Clodagh Munroe (Tyrone) who's power was too much for Chloe Philpott (Clare). Emma Kinane (Galway) continued her recent winning streak by seeing off the challenge of Jodie Keeling (Wexford) in the 13&U grade.
40x20 Finals:
- 11&U: Fun Event
- 13&U: Emma Kinane (Galway) dft Jodie Keeling (Wexford) 15-7, 15-4
- 15&U: Clodagh Munroe (Tyrone) dft Chloe Philpott (Clare) 25-16
- 17&U: Noelle Dowling (Kilkenny) dft Cuilleann Bourke (Mayo) 25-12
- Ladies Challenger: Mary Burke (Mayo) dft Mags Donovan (Mayo) 25-22
- Ladies 40+: Orla Foy (Westmeath) dft Hayley Kilroy (Mayo) 25-6
- Ladies B: Sabrina Hughes (Dublin) dft Ellen O’Connor (Kildare) 10-21, 21-8, 11-0
- Ladies Open: Catriona Casey (Cork) dft Martina McMahon (Limerick) 15-14, 15-7
Sunday then saw the attention turn to 1-Wall, and in a bit more of a relaxed and pressure free environment, we had another full day of fun and Handball.
One-Wall Finals:
- 11&U: Fun Event
- Team Event: Team Bourke (Cuileann Bourke, Louise McGinnity, Sara Coleman, Jodie Keeling, Brona Ni Cheallachain, Emer Barron) dft Team Percy (Eleanor Percy, Clodagh Munroe, Leah Minogue, Sarah Taaffe, Katelyn Donovan, Elisha Kenna) 45-19
- Mother & Daughter: Eithne & Clodagh Munroe (Tyrone) dft Mary & Cuileann Bourke (Mayo) 15-11
- Beginners Challenge: Maria Maloney (Mayo) dft Mags Donovan (Mayo) 21-12
Pictured above are the 40 young 11&U players who competed in the Fun Grade, all getting a minimum of seven matches over the two days.
GAA Handball would like to thank firstly the host venues and volunteers for making this event possible, and importantly to all the players to travelled from all corners of the countryto support this event.
Full results and pictures to follow.