The 2016/17 Irish Intervarsities came to an end at the start of February as colleges descended on Kingscourt, Co. Cavan for the 40x20 Singles tournament. As the weather offered its customary low temperatures for the tournament, the returning champions Martin Mulkerrins (UCD) and Ciana Ní Churraoin (UL) were expecting similarly frosty receptions on court as their opponents attempted to wrestle away their titles.
Mulkerrins’ closest challengers emerged from near his own homeland in the West as UL provided 3 out of 4 men’s semi-finalists. Mulkerrins cruised through his quarter-final in two-straight games against Ryan Mullan (QUB), with an electrifying performance from the first ace. Colin Crehan (UL) showed great resolve in fighting off game ball in the first game against DCU’s Niall Joyce to win 21-20, before upping the tempo in the second game and running away with a 21-2 victory to seal his place in the semi-final. Daniel Relihan (UL) produced some exciting handball to defeat the precocious AIT student, Niall O’Connor, in a very tight match over two games. However, the pick of the quarter finals was between 2 UL team mates, where Michael Hedigan claimed a customary roller-coaster tie-breaker victory over Colin Corbett.
Martin Mulkerrins and Colin Crehan utilised distinct styles in similarly composed semi-final victories. Mulkerrins produced numerous astonishing power shots which Relihan was unable to return whereas Crehan’s precision out-manoeuvred Hedigan. The contrasting styles of Mulkerrins and Crehan subsequently produced a tight and exciting final. Mulkerrins started rapidly to score 5 unanswered aces as Crehan struggled to deal with the immense power of his opponent’s shots. He slowly adapted and claimed a foothold in the game by unsettling Mulkerrins’ footwork with several spin shots. However, Mulkerrins maintained his early lead to claim a 21-18 win in the first game. Crehan needed to start quickly in the second game but Mulkerrins demonstrated his typical ruthlessness, and never relinquished his lead to claim the title on a 21-18, 21-17 score line. Mulkerrins has now equalled DCU’s Eoin Kennedy’s record of 5 Open titles in a row, and few will bet against Mulkerrins taking a sixth title next year, in what will be his final year of eligibility.
The Women’s Open semi-finals saw representatives from four different universities. Ciana Ní Churraoin (UL) had a comprehensive win over Aishling O’Keeffe (DCU) in the first semi-final as she appeared in imperious form. “CNC the TNT” controlled the game as she put O’Keeffe under relentless pressure with unerringly accurate defensive shots.Ciara Mahon (Trinity) faced a tough challenge from the young Northerner Eilise McCrory (UUJ) in the second semi-final, but Mahon’s experience proved the difference as she produced her best handball towards the end of both games to claim a close win.
Ní Churraoin and Mahon faced each other in their ninth straight Open final across all competitions with the TNT producing another fireworks display to claim another win and her second 40x20 Singles title in a row. Ní Churraoin again demonstrated her talents, giving the crowd an exhibition of precise defensive shots and flat roll-outs as she claimed a two-game victory over her collegiate rival.
DCU dominated the rest of the Men’s grades as the claimed the A, B and Contender titles with CIT and Trinity claiming the C and Challenger titles, respectively. Kevin Diggins demonstrated some excellent handball over the weekend, jumping 10 places from his original seeding, culminating with a 21-20, 21-14 win over Keith Armstrong (NUIM) in the Men’s A final. Ben Devlin dominated the Men’s B, displaying incredible retrieval skills to frustrate his opponents, defeating ITT’s Cian Counihan in the final. Michael Dunne (CIT) powered his way to the Men’s C title overcoming Ryan Traenor (DCU) in the final. Aaron Kinsella (DCU) captured the Contender title with a win over Dean Fox (QUB). Kai Feng Dai (TCD), who had only taken up handball a few months prior to travelling to Kingscourt, demonstrated his great potential in the sport by winning the Men’s Challenger title.
The Women’s titles were split between UL, NUIG and Maynooth. Niamh Dunne (UL) used her immense power to secure the Women’s A title over Clodagh Nash (UCD). Caoimhe Shanagher (NUIG) claimed the bragging rights as she overcame Shone Ruane (NUIG) in the B final, while Caytlin Boylan (NUIM) defeated Ellen Mullarkey (TCD) to win the C title.
It was an exhilarating end to the 2016/17 Intervarsity tournaments with several tremendous displays of handball over the weekend. Following some changes at the AGM, next year will see the introduction of a 60x30 Doubles Intervarsities and a One Wall Singles Intervarsities to bring the total number of Intervarsities to five.
Results
- Men’s Open: Martin Mulkerrins (UCD) dft Colin Crehan (UL) 21-18, 21-17
- Ladies Open: Ciana Ni Churraoin (UL) dft Ciara Mahon (TCD)
- Men’s A: Kevin Diggins (DCU) dft Keith Armstrong (NUIM) 21-20, 21-14
- Ladies A: Niamh Dunne (UL) dft Clodagh Nash (UCD) 21-14, 21-6
- Men’s B: Ben Devlin (DCU) dft Cian Counihan (ITT)
- Ladies B: Caoimhe Shanagher (NUIG) dft Shone Ruane (NUIG) 21-4, 21-11
- Men’s C: Michael Dunne (CIT) dft Ryan Treanor (DCU)
- Ladies C: Caytlin Boylan (NUIM) dft Ellen Mullarkey (TCD)
- Men’s Contender: Aaron Kinsella (DCU) dft Dean Fox (QUB)
- Men’s Challenger: Kai Feng Dai (TCD)