Diarmaid Nash came from a game down in the final as current Irish #1 Robbie McCarthy to retain his John Gaffney Memorial title on Sunday in Ballaghaderreen, winning 7-15, 15-3, 11-6.
It was Nash's first win of the current 4-Wall season, following SF & Runner up placings at the last two events.
Nash survived a scare in the Round of 16, edging veteran Kerry man Dominic Lynch 15-14, 15-9. He followed this up with two straight game victories over fellow Banner men Fergal Coughlan & Colin Crehan.
McCarthy however is the reigning All-Ireland champ, and after ousting Martin Mulkerrins in the SF, looked set for his second title win of the season when storming to the opener 15-7. But Nash slowly starting claiming control and took the win which sets him up nicely for next months Irish 4-Wall Nationals.
Ballaghaderreen HC would like say a special word of thanks to the tournament sponsors, Drury Oils Ltd (main tournament sponsor), Regan & Sons, Spells Bar, Jennings Pump Services, GAA Handball Ireland, GAA Handball Connacht Council, O’Hara’s Bakery, Ross Plant Hire, Durkin’s Hotel, McHugh Wholesale, Cunniffe’s Butchers, and all other benefactors, without whom the tournament could not take place.
Results
1st Round:
- Ger Coonan dft Niall Bolton 15-13, 15-1
- Michael Gregan dft Ian McLoughlin 15-6, 15-2
- Daniel Relihan dft Pat Conway 15-0, 15-4
- Dominic Lynch dft David Hope 15-2, 15-4
- Paul Moran dft Rikki O'Gara 21-16, 15-6
- Joe McCann dft David Walsh 14-15, 15-3, 11-9
- Niall O'Connor dft Michael Hedigan 15-6, 9-15, 11-0
- Kevin Diggins dft Shane O'Neill 15-4, 15-4
Last 16:
- Diarmaid Nash dft Dominic Lynch 15-14, 15-9
- Fergal Coughlan dft Ger Coonan
- Colin Crehan dft Paul Moran 15-4, 15-11
- Daniel Relihan dft Charly Shanks 11-9 tiebreak
- Martin Mulkerrins dft Kevin Diggins 15-3, 15-5
- Michael Gregan dft Eoghan McGinnity 15-10, 15-7
- Niall O'Connor dft Gavin Coyle 15-5, 15-4
- Robbie McCarthy dft Joe McCann 15-4, 15-0
QF's:
- Diarmaid Nash dft Fergal Coughlan
- Colin Crehan dft Daniel Relihan 15-9, 15-3
- Martin Mulkerrins dft Michael Gregan 15-10, 15-13
- Robbie McCarthy dft Niall O'Connor 15-13, 15-2
SF's:
- Diarmaid Nash dft Colin Crehan 15-11, 15-11
- Robbie McCarthy dft Martin Mulkerrins 15-3, 11-15, 11-9
Final:
- Diarmaid Nash dft Robbie McCarthy 7-15, 15-3, 11-6
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9th Playoff:
- QF: Eoghan McGinnity dft Kevin Diggins 21-8
- QF: David Walsh dft Charly Shanks 21-18
- QF: Joe McCann dft Niall Bolton 21-20
- SF1: Eoghan McGinnity dft Joe McCann 21-12
- SF 2: Paul Moran dft David Walsh 21-18
- Final: Paul Moran dft Eoghan McGinnity 21-5