The Defence Forces (DF) held the first One-Wall Doubles Championships on the One-Wall in Collins Bks, Cork on 02 August 2016. Teams from Dublin, Kildare, Galway, Kilkenny & Cork took part in the first DF One-Wall doubles tournament, which was also the official launch of the One-Wall in Collins Bks, Cork. All games were timed apart from the Junior, Intermediate & Senior titles which were first to 21 aces.
The Novice category saw S/S Jim Suffin (this year’s singles Novice Champion) add to his haul alongside the up and coming S/S Conor Keegan in a 9-8 hand for hand thriller against S/S Michael Kenirons & S/S Sean Browne resulting for a win for An Chéad Cath. The Novice plate was won by S/S Darragh O’Boyle & S/S Michael Egan in a 16-10 win over Pte Cian O’Connell & S/S Ryan Duffy, bringing further victory for An Chéad Cath.
The Junior Championship final was won by the 1 Brigade team of Pte Danny Clogan & Pte Darren Cornally in 15-13 win over the Galway pairing of Sáir Eric O’Brien & S/S Joe Doherty.
The Intermediate Championship was won by the Cavalry Corps team of Tpr Stephen Smullen & Tpr Stephen Monaghan in a 15-6 victory over Cre Tommy Dillon & S/S John Hurley.
Finally the Senior Championship was taken by the Engineer Corps team of Cpl JD Murphy & Pte Colm Jordan with a 20-3 victory over the Kilkenny team.
The DF team now looks forward to the Representative Match against the Gardaí in the coming weeks in both 60x30 & One-Wall.
For anyone interested in playing handball at any level, please contact your BPEO or myself at extension 1840.
Article by: Sáirsint Eric O’Brien
Photos by: Sergeant Daniel Sheehan