Meath’s Brian Carroll and Tom Sheridan made it a double of Hardball titles in as many years with yesterday win in St. Coman’s, Roscommon when they defeated Mayo’s Joe McCann and Dessie Keegan.
The first game was a terrific game which either team could have won. Meath started brightly and led 9-6 after the early exchanges. They extended their lead to 14-8 and were in control at 19-10 before Keegan went on a serving blitz that brought them back to 19 all. Meath got back in and went game ball up but could not seal it. Mayo was back in the serve zone and they took it to 20 all but they also could not get the last important point but Meath made sure of their next chance and took the first game by the slimmest of margins 21-20.
In the second game Mayo were the quickest to settle and they built up a good lead of 9-1 before Carroll took control with a masterful display of serving and kill shots. Meath levelled at 9 all with a Carroll kill from the centre of the court. At 15-9 there was another fantastic kill by Carroll and Sheridan was to get in on the act before the end with a couple. In the end Meath’s Brian Carroll and Tom Sheridan continued their impressive season in doubles handball as they captured the Senior Hardball Doubles title with a 21-20, 21-9 victory.
In the Minor Hardball Doubles final, Mayo’s Niall Joyce the recently crowned Minor Hardball Singles and Minor 40x20 Singles winner was partner by fellow Claremorris teenager Patrick Murphy were up against Cork’s David Walsh and Kevin O’Connell. The Mayo players settled quickest and lead 5-1 before extending their lead to 19-5 and they closed out the first game 21-6. The second game was much tighter and could have went either way, once again Mayo led 6-2 but this time Cork fought back to 6 all. Mayo went 9-6 but once again Cork draw level at 9 all. Joyce and Murphy again went ahead 12-9 and they extended this 17-14. But Walsh and O’Connell rallied and with some great serving levelled it at 17 all and the scores were level for the fourth time at 19 all. The crowd was at their edge of there seats hoping the game would go to a third game but the excellent Joyce and Murphy settled their nerves and finished off the match to capture the Minor Hardball Doubles title with a 21-6, 21-19 victory.
In the other Hardball Doubles finals which took place last Thursday night in Cashel, Tipperary. Kerry and Cork were victorious. In the Intermediate Final Kerry’s Dominic Lynch and John Joe Quirke defeated Wicklow’s Pat Quaile and Paddy O’Donnell 21-9, 21-8. While in the Junior Final Cork’s Daniel Relihan and John Hedigan came out on top after three tight games with Meath’s Peter Reilly and Joe Cummins on a scoreline of 21-15, 18-21, 21-9.
We GAA Handball would like to thank all the clubs for hosting games in the Hardball competition as the season comes to a close. We would also like to thank Vincent Brennan for continuing to hand make the Hardballs and finally we would like to congratulate all the winners.
GAA Handball All Ireland Hardball Final’s Results
At St. Comans, Roscommon
Senior Doubles
7. Meath (Brian Carroll/Tom Sheridan) dft Mayo (Joe McCann/Dessie Keegan) 21-20, 21-9
Minor Doubles
6. Mayo (Niall Joyce/Patrick Murphy) dft Cork (David Walsh/Kevin O’Connell) 21-6, 21-19
At Cashel, Tipperary
Intermediate Doubles
3. Kerry (Dominic Lynch/John Joe Quirke) dft Wicklow (Paddy O’Donnell/Pat Quaile) 21-9, 21-8
Junior Doubles
8. Cork (Daniel Relihan/John Hedigan) dft Meath (Peter Reilly/Joe Cummins) 21-15, 18-21, 21-9