By Ciara Mahon
In typical fashion, representatives from colleges throughout the country converged in Kilkenny last weekend to contest the 60x30 Intervarsities, the traditional curtain-raiser event of the Intervarsity calendar. Some competitors sought to build on their experiences in the recent inaugural 60x30 doubles Intervarsity competition held in Dublin a fortnight ago, while others aspired to redeem or re-establish themselves from previous year’s competitions, while others enjoyed their first experience of 3rd level handball. Considering these high stakes and the pool of talented players entered to contest them, the tournament promised to be an exciting one and indeed delivered on that promise.
Men’s Open
This year’s Men’s Open division was possibly one of the most hotly contested to date with a wealth of high quality players all vying for the coveted intervarsity singles title. Both finalists, UCD’s Brian Mahon and ITT’s Shane Dunne faced off stiff competition to reach the final. Brian saw off Michael Hedigan (UL) in the QF stages (21.17, 21.10) and defeated last year’s finalist Ryan Mullan (UUJ) in the SF (21.10, 21.9), repeating the outcome of this year’s U21 All-Ireland Final where Brian was also victorious. On the other side of the draw, Shane overcame opposition from number one seed Keith Armstrong (NUIM) in the QF (21.10, 21.6) and in the SF defeated UCD’s Galen Riordan in an exciting tie-break (14-21 21-6 11-2). In his maiden intervarsity singles final Shane was hoping to build on his win with partner Shane Murphy in the Mens Open Doubles tournament a fortnight ago, while former finalist Mahon was also hoping to secure his first singles intervarsity title. With both finalists hailing from Clogh handball club, a 60X30 stronghold in North Kilkenny, the final promised to be an exhibition of 60X30 handball. What resulted was arguably one of the most competitive and entertaining Men's Open finals the ICHA has ever seen!
In the opening exchanges of the first game both players stalemated at 2 aces apiece. Aided by a succession of well-executed kills and passing shots, Mahon then surged into the lead. Although Dunne notched a few aces, Mahon dominated the early stages of the game attaining a large 17.8 lead. Mahon exhibited great prowess at the front of the court, rolling out ball after ball propelling him into a seemingly comfortable position in the first game. Demonstrating an astounding determination and resolve, Dunne continued to battle, and picked some great shots and forced the ball out to the back of the court thereby earning him four successive aces, putting the score at 17.12. Mahon gained service again and won three aces, placing him at 20.12, tantalisingly close to finishing out the game. Once again, however, Dunne responded with a series of well-placed shots of his own to close the gap to 20.17. Mahon retained service and closed out the nail-biting game on a final score of 21.17.
Mahon attained an early 6.0 lead in the second game, and once again Dunne caught up with this lead, albeit at an earlier stage in this game, bringing the score level at 6.6. For the first time in the game, Dunne took the lead and brought the score to 9.6 before Mahon made his next dent on the scoreboard, narrowing the gap to 7.9. However, Dunne continued to build his momentum and provided little opportunity for Mahon to challenge it, as he extended his lead and closed out the game on a score of 21.10.
The tie-breaker was a thrilling affair, with both competitors trading aces until drawing level at 2.2. Mirroring the pattern of earlier games, Mahon took the lead in the opening stages scoring 5 aces versus Dunne’s 2. Once again, Dunne fought his way back, levelling the scores at 5.5 and continuing
to add points to his score until the score was 10.5. At game ball, Mahon tapped a nervy soft shot into the front corner to get Dunne out and win himself an ace; 10.6. Serves exchanged hands twice before Dunne finished out the game with his characteristic underarm kill into the right side wall to win the game. It could be argued that very little separated the players in terms of skill, however Dunne’s fitness may have provided the competitive edge required to oust Mahon in this closely contested match. An outstanding display of handball was witnessed in this final, with both players hitting excellent shots, picking and chasing great balls, and closed out nicely what was a fantastic weekend of handball.
Right: Men’s Open finalists Brian Mahon (runner up – UCD) and Shane Dunne (winner – ITT).
Ladies’ Open
In the Ladies’ Open Final, DCU fresher Fiona Tully faced TCD’s Ciara Mahon. Although this is the first time the two have met at Intervarsity level, the two women have competed against each other on a number of occasions in the Senior Ladies’ championship and each having clocked up an equal number of defeats/wins against one another to date, therefore making the final an interesting affair. In the first game, Fiona powered to an early lead (4.2, 7.5) with some strong serves and excellently executed kill shots. However, Ciara worked her way into the game with a series of passing shots and quickly closed up the lead until the women were level at 7.7. Ciara developed momentum with a power serve that was coupled with a number of passing shots, which saw her finish out the first game on a score of 21.10. Ciara continued this momentum into the second game, powering balls to the back of the court and despite some great shots from Fiona, Ciara took the second game on a score of 21.3. While coming up short in the final against an experienced player, Fiona played some great handball over the weekend to reach the final and can take many positives for the future out of her performance. This is Ciara’s fourth Ladies Open Singles 60x30 Intervarsity title, establishing her as a formidable force in the 60x30 court.
Left: Ladies’ Open Champion Ciara Mahon (TCD) is presented with her medal by ICHA Co-Secretary (and former intervarsity opponent!) Aishling O’Keeffe.
Right: Ladies’ Open Runner up Fiona Tully (DCU) is presented with her medal by ICHA Co-Secretary Aishling O’Keeffe.
Ladies’ Open Doubles
The final of the Ladies’ Open Doubles saw number one seeds Meadhbh Ní Dhálaigh and Fiona Tully (DCU) take on TCD’s Ciara Mahon and Eimear Delaney. Ciara and Eimear had clawed their way to the final narrowly defeating DCU’s Ella Donellan and Caoimhe O’Shea (19-21, 21-13, 11-7) who exhibited an exceptional team performance in the semi-final stage. The DCU players jelled very well with Meadhbh’s strong serves complimenting Fiona’s controlled kill shots which saw the girls power to early leads in both games. Although the Trinity duo earned a succession of aces intermittently throughout the games, they were ultimately overpowered by the DCU pair in two straight games.
Left: Ladies’ Open Doubles Champions Meadhbh Ní Dhálaigh and Fiona Tully (DCU) are presented with their medals by ICHA Co-Secretary Aishling O’Keeffe.
Right: Ladies’ Open Doubles Runners Up Ciara Mahon and Eimear Delaney (TCD) are presented with their medals by ICHA Co-Secretary Aishling O’Keeffe.
Men’s A
In the Men’s A final, GMIT fresher Diarmuid Mulkerrins took on DCU’s Kevin Diggins in what proved to be an exciting and fast-paced match. Both players saw off hefty challenges at semi-final stages, with Mulkerrins comprehensively defeating DCU’s Cian O’Dalaigh and Diggins overcoming fellow DCU teammate Niall Joyce. Diggins was vying for his chance to redress last year’s result having suffered defeat at the hands of GMIT’s Jamie Kelly in the 2016 A final, while for Mulkerrins, this marked his debut in an intervarsity final. In the first game, Mulkerrins set an incredible pace and with some strong serves and carefully placed passing shots, raced ahead to an early lead. Mulkerrins continued this momentum throughout the first game, which, despite some great shots, Diggins failed to stall. Mulkerrins took the first game on a score 21.7. Although Mulkerrins secured yet another early lead in the second game (13-3 up), Diggins demonstrated a determined doggedness and fought his way back into the game. The second game was characterised by a series of extensive rallies and incredible picks with both players providing an exhibition in fitness, stamina, speed and skill. Ultimately Mulkerrins, the recently crowned 60x30 Minor Singles champion, demonstrated his experience in high stakes finals and pushed ahead to secure the win on a score line of 21.11.
Left: Men’s A winner Diarmuid Mulkerrins (GMIT) is presented with his medal by ICHA treasurer John Walsh.
Right: Men’s A runner up Kevin Diggins (DCU) is presented with his medal by ICHA treasurer John Walsh.
Ladies’ A
In the Ladies’ A grade, DCU competitors Meadhbh Ní Dhálaigh and Ella Donnellan - who just a fortnight ago had partnered up to win the B 60x30 Doubles Intervarsities title - were required to place their alliances aside and do battle against one another in the final. The opening game was a tightly contested affair with both players matching each other on the score card until about 9 aces each, at which point Ní Dhálaigh managed to push ahead with a great display of serving and a number of
strong shots to the back court. Ní Dhálaigh, arguably one of the most improved players this year, exhibited a strong performance controlling the centre court with a number of impressive three-wall shots. With her unorthodox overhand-styled game, Donnellan clocked up a few aces early in the second game, but Ní Dhálaigh, the recently crowned Junior B All-Ireland champion, proved her skill and stamina to power through the second game and win on a comprehensive score of 21.10, 21.9.
Left: Ladies’ A winner Meadhbh Ní Dhálaigh is presented with her medal by ICHA Co-Secretary Aishling O’Keeffe.
Right: Ladies’ A runner up Ella Donnellan is presented with her medal by ICHA Co-Secretary Aishling O’Keeffe.
Men’s B
UCD’s James Tobin put in a gutsy performance to overcome Carlow IT’s Geoff Atkinson in a thrilling and tightly contested tie-break 21-2 15-21 11-0. Both men fought through a very competitive B division, and had to work hard to earn their medals.
Left: Men’s B winner James Tobin is presented with his medal by ICHA Co-Secretary Aishling O’Keeffe.
Right: Men’s B runner up and ICHA Co-Chairman Geoff Atkinson is presented with his medal by ICHA Co-Secretary Aishling O’Keeffe.
Ladies’ B
Kilkenny native and fresher, Caoimhe O’Shea added to DCU’s impressive haul in the Ladies’ grades this year by winning the Ladies’ B title, defeating former DCU and now TCD student, Eimear Delaney, on a comprehensive score line of 21.1, 21.3.
Left: Ladies’ B winner Caoimhe O’Shea (DCU) is presented with her medal by ICHA Co-Secretary Aishling O’Keeffe.
Right: Ladies’ B runner up Eimear Delaney (TCD) is presented with her medal by ICHA Co-Secretary Aishling O’Keeffe.
Onwards and upwards
Once again, Kilkenny 60x30 Intervarsities treated spectators to thrilling exhibitions of skill, speed, stamina and endurance across all grades. The Men’s A and Open finals were preceded by the annual ICHA banquet in Langton’s on Saturday night, where all rivals became friends and enjoyed a meal and drink together. The organisers deserve special mention for their adaptability, flexibility and ability to take unexpected setbacks regarding court use in their stride thereby ensuring the weekend to be success that it was. A great weekend was enjoyed by all and it has set a strong precedent for the upcoming 40x20 Doubles/Beginner One-wall tournament which will be held in Wexford on 17th-19th of November.