This year's 60x30 Interclub Championships takes place in Connacht and Leinster Venues this weekend with Kells being the venue chosen for the premier 60x30 club competition. The Open final has a familiar look to it with long-time rivals Kells (Meath) and Ballaghaderreen (Mayo) facing each other at 1pm on Saturday 14th November in Kells, Meath.
Kells and Ballaghaderren have been two of the most successful Interclub teams in Handball history and come Saturday evening one of these great clubs will have added another title to their collection. Kells are reigning champions and can call on the vast experience of doubles pairing Tom Sheridan and Brian Carroll as well as Gary McConnell and Christy McGovern for the final clash. Ballaghaderreen have no shortage of experience either as they have their own experienced players in Dessie Keegan, Joe McCann, Vincent Moran, Paul Flynn and Joe Dowling. Last years final was a tight contest with the men from the royal county just edging it 97-68 so this promises to be a cracking encounter and a tight contest is in store at the Meath venue. Will the Leinster home court advantage sway it for the Meath men or will the men from the west bring the title home on Saturday afternoon. Only time will tell for this titanic tussle of these two heavyweights in club Handball.
The action then switches to Sunday with the Intermediate semi-final at St. Coman’s (Roscommon) with Limerick side Hospital will hope to go one better than being last year beaten finalists when they take on Galways Williamstown at 1pm. The Hospital team is a mix of youth and experience with J.P. O’Connor, Kerry Hennessy, Ken Burke, Padraig Quish and Kieran Bourke set to take to the court to face a Williamstown side backboned by experienced campaigners of Pat Conway, Kevin Cradock, Declan Connaughton, Alan Tierney and Ollie Conway. Waiting in the final is the vastly experience Clogh team from Kilkenny, the team consists of William, Daniel and Colm Love while Owen Hennessy is their fourth player. A fantastic battle is in store at this Connacht venue.
In the Junior competition Cashel (Tipperary) are through to the final as Moycullen (Galway) had to withdraw, while Coolboy (Wicklow) faces Beacach (Tyrone) in the second semi-final in Kells (Meath) at 11am on Sunday. The final is down for decision at 2pm in the Meath venue.
The Junior B competition was played last weekend in Lahorna, Tipperary. Cork club Boherbue overcame Loughrea, Galway 84-36 in the first semi-final while Ballymore Eustace, Kildare received a bye from Kingscourt, Cavan in the other semi-final. In the final the fresh Ballymore Eustace team saw off the Boherbue team on a scoreline of 65-37.
Two great days of Handball is in store at these venues as the 60x30 season is near at an end with what promises to be a cracking Interclub series, so show your support for all your club teams that are in action this weekend.
Saturday 14th November
OPEN in Kells, MeathOIC Johnboy Molloy (086 1699309) 1pm ***Note Change of Day/Venue/Time***
- Semi Final 1: Ballaghaderreen (Mayo) W/O Ballina (Tipperary)
- Final @ 1pm: Ballaghaderreen (Mayo) v Kells (Meath)
Sunday 15th November
INTERMEDIATE in St. Comans, Roscommon OIC Mary Tully (087 7826719) 1pm
- Semi Final 1 @ 1pm: Williamstown (Galway) v Hospital (Limerick)
- Final @ 4pm: Winner SF1 v Clogh (Kilkenny)
JUNIOR in Kells, Meath OIC Johnboy Molloy (086 1699309) 11am
- Semi Final 1: Cashel (Tipperary) W/O Moycullan (Galway)
- Semi Final 2 @ 11am: Coolboy (Wicklow) v Breacach (Tyrone)
- Final @ 2pm: Cashel (Tipperary) v Winner SF2