An Garda Síochána v Óglaigh na hEireann Fourth Annual 40x20 Challenge Shield was held in the newly built Collooney Handball Club, Sligo on Thursday the 26th of March. With the event growing from year to year it was a privilege for the players to have such prestigious spectators as GAA Handball President Willie Roche, Commandant Bernard Behan, Assistant Commissioner Fintan Fanning, Chief Superintendent Michael Clancy and Collooney’s very own handballing legend Paddy Walsh.
With the Defence Forces Handball Club now being able to boast players like Colm Jordan and newly crowned Senior Handball Champion Robbie McCarty amongst their ranks the Gardaí were preparing for a rough day at the office. The day was however to be one for the veterans as due to unforeseeable circumstances the top player’s for both sides were not to appear on the day.
The Annual Challenge took the format of five Doubles games, with the total number of aces from the day deciding the winning team. Each game was played up to 21 aces. The fixtures were drawn at random, with both bainisteoirí drawing numbers to decide who would face off with whom. The only exception was that both teams’ top senior players face off in the exhibition doubles game of the day.
The Defence Forces took the first game of doubles after Pte Denis Dowd and Pte Tomas Dunne narrowly defeated Gda Brendan O’Toole and Gda Jason Hannon in a 21-20 nail biter, which set the tone for the day. Both pairing’s knew the significance of an early lead and would not relent an inch to their opponent’s, much to the joy of the on looking spectator’s. Dowd secured the win with some fantastic passing shots for the army, but unfortunately this victory proved to be a catalyst for the Gardaí.
With the sides separated by a single point the Gardaí turned to one of their most experienced players, Gda Frank Macken, who was fresh from winning the All-Ireland Emerald Master ‘B’ Doubles. He was paired with the Garda’s newest emerging talents in the form of Gda Dylan Ramsey. They faced the pairing of S/S Dave McConn & S/S Joe Doherty. Doherty had been beaten the previous year by Gda Macken so was a determined figure to redeem himself in this fixture. Despite the Defence Force pairings best efforts the skill of the Garda pair proved a step too far.
Next up was the showcase game of the best of both teams, in the Blue and Navy Jersey was Gda Campbell Brennan and Sgt Paraic Roberts up against the resilient pairing of Pte Kirk Greene & Pte JJ Hennessy. This match was to be one of the finest displays of tactical play with both pairing’s required to switch up their game regularly to keep their opponents on the back foot. Points were the expectation from both bainisteoirí as this was seen as crucial game for both teams. It proved to be quite the stressful affair with it looking likely to swing either way right up to the death when a fantastic kill into the left corner allowed Gda Brennan to seize the victory.
The pressure was now on the Defence Force pairing of Cpl JP Ryan & Pte James Kinsella who knew if they allowed Gda Bryan D’Arcy and Gda David Hannon to claim a victory that the contest would be all but over. From the offset they claimed an early lead as the Gardaí struggled to find their stride. However Gda Hannon soon discovered his serve which allowed Gda D’Arcy to step into control the court. They pushed ahead and refused to let the Defence Forces back into the game.
The contest was mathematically over before the last game but this was of no concern to either of the final pairings. The Gardaí had their most senior and decorated pairing of Retire Sgt Conor McDonnell and Retired Gda Tony Hannon face off against Cpl Eddie Clifford & S/S Ciaran Gallen. This fixture was a matter of pride for the Defence Forces and was evident throughout play. However the wiliness of the retired pairing narrowly kept the Defence Forces from claiming their second win of the day.
Thus, ended the 4th edition of the Annual Defence Forces versus Garda Challenge, with the Gardaí taking the Challenge Shield back to the Phoenix Park for the Fourth year. Both Teams wish to express their thanks to GAA President Willie Roche for his attendance and presenting the winning team with the Shield. They also wish to extend their gratitude to Collooney Handball Club who from refereeing assistance to endless refreshment’s provided a first class service on the day.
The First One Wall An Garda Síochána v Óglaigh na hEireann Open Challenge will be held in Dún Ui Mhaoilíosa Barracks, Galway this summer due to the success of the tournaments in the 40x20 and 60x30. This will take place after the Annual Defence Forces One Wall Tournament in May.
Results from the Day
Game 1 Brendan O’Toole & Jason Hannon 20 v 21 Denis Dowd & Tomas Dunne
Game 2 Frank Macken & Dylan Ramsey 21 v 6 Joe Doherty & Dave McConn
Game 3 Campbell Brennan & Paraic Roberts 21 v 19 Kirk Greene & JJ Hennessy
Game 4 Bryan D’Arcy & David Hannon 21 v 10 JP Ryan & James Kinsella
Game 5 Conor McDonnell & Tony Hannon 21 v 19 Eddie Clifford & Ciaran Gallen
GARDAÍ 104 v 75 DEFENCE FORCES