Cork pairing of Daniel Relihan and Michael Hedigan claimed their maiden Hardball Senior Doubles title with victory over Kerry’s Dominick Lynch and John Joe Quirke in Broadford today.
The Cork duo, holders of several Hardball All-Ireland titles from the last few years had a tough opening game win against the seasoned campaigners and Intermediate Doubles Champions of 2015 on a 21-15 score line. The second game was equally as tight, but Cork were not going to be denied and were too strong on the day for their Kerry rivals as they closed out the second and the match to capture their maiden Senior Doubles title on a 21-15, 21-9 score line to the celebrations of the large travelling Cork supporters.
Also, in Broadford today Cork won the highly competitive Junior Doubles Final when David Walsh and Jamie O’Donnell overcame Tipperary’s Paul Mullins and Kevin Dempsey in a two gamer on a 21-12, 21-7 score line to secure the title.
Elsewhere the Intermediate Doubles title went to Kilkenny’s William Love and Shane Dunne as they defeated Dublin’s Ian Griffin and Michael Carrie. The Kilkenny pairing lost the first but took the second and the tie-break to capture the title on a 13-21, 21-7, 21-7 score line.
Attention now turns to the Hardball Singles finals with three of them being played next Saturday the 1st June in Thurles. Check the fixtures list for the full details.
GAA Handball All Ireland Hardball Championships
Senior Doubles
- Cork (Daniel Relihan/Michael Hedigan) dft Kerry (Dominick Lynch/John Joe Quirke) 21-15, 21-9
Intermediate Doubles
- Kilkenny (William Love/Shane Dunne) dft Dublin (Ian Griffin/Michael Carrie) 13-21, 21-7, 21-7
Junior Doubles
- Cork (David Walsh/Jamie O’Donnell) dft Tipperary (Paul Mullins/Kevin Dempsey) 21-12, 21-7