Yesterday (25th February) saw the annual Defence Forces (DF) v An Garda Síochana 40x20 Challenge match take place in Salthill HC, Galway. This was the 5th edition of the annual meeting of the forces and is always the most looked forward to event of the year for both clubs. The event is doubles & singles, with total aces scored determining the winner on the day. Both teams declare their strongest players to face off in a singles game and the other doubles games are drawn at random.
From the humble beginnings of the DF Handball Club in 2011 to the cracker of a DF Championships two weeks ago in Clarecastle, the DF team although missing two of their star players were geared up and ready for action to head west and build on last year's defeat against the Gardaí. From 2012 the losing deficit was getting smaller and smaller for the troops.
The Gardaí also had brought their best men forward after their own championships earlier in the month in St Comans, Roscommon and wanted to get the 5-in-a-row from the troops to deny the DF holding all 3 of the representative shields (40x20, One-Wall & 60x30).
The first game was quick to warm up the cold spectators on the frosty morning with Sgt Glen O'Kelly & Cpl Eddie Clifford taking on Garda Bainisteoir David Hannon (Collooney) & Tony O'Flaherty (Youghlarra) in a game that was to set the tone for the day. The Gardaí were soon reminded that it wasn't going to be an easy day with Clifford returning balls an inch off the ground and O'Kelly mastering the strength of the back wall return. The DF held their own to have the game tied at 6 aces from 3-0 down. This is where the much-improved Hannon and the masterful handballing skill of O'Flaherty came into their own. The pressure was applied with the gallery crowd soon sucked into every shot of the game that went from hand-out to hand-out finally resting with the DF creeping back to 12 aces each. Soon the game (still ace for ace), went to 18-16 in favour of the Gardaí and after a number of hand-outs the Gardaí called a time out. This time out (with the Gardaí returning to serve) was the one to do the damage, with the two men in blue playing out 2 minute rallies to finish the game 21-16.
5 aces down and the next game was always going to be a tough one for the DF. The family pairing of Tpr Stephen Smullen & Tpr Brendan Higgenbotham were to face the might of Campbell Brennan (Ballaghadereen) & Frank Macken (Moycullen). The two Troopers received some last minute advice from Pte Colm Jordan (DF Head-Coach) on how to hold their own and bring the game to the two experienced Gardaí and how every aces counted on a day like yesterday. After winning the toss "the Troopers" scored the first ace to which the gallery (both sides) cheered. But this was where their luck ran out. Although making rallies and forcing hand-outs throughout the game, the strength and kills of Brennan & the consistency of Macken proved too much in this David versus Goliath game and the Gardaí won 21-3. On their exit from the alley, the Troopers were reminded that their 3 aces could be the ones to count and to be proud of themselves, with this compliment being paid by the Garda pairing.
So with the DF 23 aces down at the half way point, it was hard to imagine that the day could be saved, but anything is possible in handball!
The singles game was next and Sáirsint O'Brien sent in his big gun from the navy to "turn the tide" and bring the DF back into the game. This was O/Mech Robbie McCarthy's time to shine against the current Garda Champion, Niall Maher (Bree). Every ace counts was the cry from the gallery and McCarthy listened. It was world class serving and the side-arm swing of McCarthy that dominated the game, but Maher wasn't to be deterred. He brought the game to McCarthy on more than one occasion, with his own low ball serving and returning to move McCarthy around the court and force a few hand-outs. When Maher scored his first ace at 11-1, the relief from the gallery was evident in the roar and applause that followed. But this was what stirred the sailor up, and McCarthy turned on the pressure to finish the game 21-1.
With the deficit now at 3 aces in favour of the Gardaí, it was all down to the pairing of Pte JJ Hennessy & Pte Darren Darcy to force the victory and keep the deficit for an Army win. They were to face the might of Des Down (St Comans) & Jason Hannon (Collooney) in the final nail biting game of doubles.
From the outset, the DF took the lead in a hand for hand game that went to 6-5 to the DF. Nerves were evident on both sides as the crowd called every shot and deficits were totted up and down for every ace. It was close, then the scored edged slowly up to 9-9 with Dowd dominating the left side of the court and Hannon providing a secure back line on the right. After a much needed time out on 11-11, the nerves settled. Darcy got into serve and drove 3 Z-serves with Hennessey's power serve backing him up as second server. This alone wasn't enough to hold the Gardaí back and Dowd was punishing in his low serve to the back wall, with Hannon providing drop serves that the great Ducksy Walsh would have problems dealing with.
With the score at 19-12, the DF called their time out to listen to the wisdom of Jordan. This was it, the final push, the possibility of the win and it was all to play for. The DF returned to serve and lost the ace to give a hand-out to the Gardaí. Had it gone pear-shaped for the DF? Could the Gardaí score the 17 aces needed for the tie? Two aces followed and the air was filled with high blood pressure and panic in the stand, until Darcy took a kill on the right to bring the DF back into serve. This was it! The score went to 20-14, but disaster and a loss of first server. Tension, Wonder, the Deficit, Could it be done?
It was done, with Hennessy ever cool under pressure bringing it home for the DF and a relieved gallery the DF won 21-14, with a 4 ace lead to take the Shield back to Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa for the first time.
In all, it was a fantastic day on both sides. It is the premier event in the DF & GS Handball calendar and is a place to show how one of our national sports is appreciated by our national forces. Thanks to Pierce Lalor (Salthill HC) and to the Gardaí for pushing us on over the last 5 years to get to the stage that both teams can compete with each other on a level playing field. Yesterday's games were a testament to both clubs on how they have embraced the sport and have made it grow in both organisations.
The next time the forces meet, will be for the One-Wall Shield in June.
Photos
Player of the Day, Pte Darren Darcy receives the 40x20 Shield from Comdt Bernard Behan (Secretary DFAA) on behalf of the DF Team
DF Team
Garda Team
Sáirsint Eric O'Brien,