This year's 60x30 Interclub Championships takes place in Leinster and Munster venues this weekend with Crinkle being the venue chosen for the premier 60x30 club competition. The Open competition has a familiar field with it, with long-time rivals Kells (Meath) and Ballaghaderreen (Mayo) with Hospital of Limerick also in the mix after last year’s Intermediate success. The action gets under way at 11am on this Saturday the 9th July at the Offaly venue.
Kells, Ballaghaderren and Hospital have been some 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 are going for FIVE in row on Saturday and can call on the vast experience of doubles pairing Tom Sheridan and Brian Carroll as well as Gary McConnell, Michael Sheridan and Joe Cummins for the clash. Ballaghaderreen have no shortage of experience either as part of their team with Joe McCann, Dessie Keegan, Vinnie Moran, Paul Flynn and Joe Dowling. Hospital have also an array of very experience 60x30 players as well namely Paul Hedderman, Paudi Quish, Eamon Davern, J.P. O’Connor and Mike O’Toole. Last year’s final was a tight contest with the men from the royal county just edging it by the slimmest of margins 98-97 so this promises to be a cracking encounter and a tight contest is in store at the Offaly venue. Will the Leinster home court advantage sway it for the Meath men or will the men from the west or the south bring the title home on Saturday afternoon. Only time will tell for this titanic tussle of these three heavyweights in 60x30 club Handball.
In the Junior competition Moycullen (Galway) are through to the final as they received a bye, while Cashel (Tipperary) faces Coolboy (Wicklow) in the second semi-final in Lahorna at 11am. The final is down for decision at 1.30pm in the Tipperary venue. A fantastic battle is in store at this Munster venue.
Finally in the Junior B competition Loughrea (Galway) are through to the final as Kingscourt (Cavan) had to withdraw, while St. Patrick’s (Kilkenny) plays Friary/Abbeyside (Waterford) in the second semi-final in Ballymore Eustace at 1.30pm on Saturday. The final is down for decision at 4pm in the Kildare venue.
This great day of 60x30 Handball is in store at these central venues as the Softball season starts in earnest with the first finals of the year. It promises to be a cracking Interclub series, so show your support for all your club teams that are in action this weekend.
2016 GAA Handball 60x30 Interclub Championships Fixtures
Saturday 9th July
OPEN in Crinkle, Offaly OIC Kevin Cooke (087 6423846) At 11am
- Semi Final 1: Ballaghaderreen (Mayo) Bye
- Semi Final 2 @ 11am: Kells (Meath) v Hospital (Limerick)
- Final @ 1.30pm: Ballaghaderreen (Mayo) v SF 2
JUNIOR in Lahorna, Tipperary OIC Martin Spain (087 2599771) At 11am
- Semi Final 1: Moycullen (Galway) Bye
- Semi Final 2 @ 11am: Cashel (Tipperary) v Coolboy (Wicklow)
- Final @ 1.30pm: Moycullen (Galway) v SF2
JUNIOR B in Ballymore Eustace, Kildare OIC Gavin Grace (087 4153720) At 1.30pm
- Semi Final 1: Loughrea (Galway) W/O Kingscourt (Cavan) scr.
- Semi Final 2 @ 1.30pm: St. Patrick’s (Kilkenny) v Friary/Abbeyside (Waterford)
- Final @ 4.00pm: Loughrea (Galway) v SF2