The eyes of the Irish Handball community were on Carrickmore Handball Club last weekend as 24 of the country’s top juvenile stars travelled to compete in the 7th Paddy Grogan Memorial Invitational.
As a 4-Wall season finisher, the tournament, hosted every second year, has grown into one of the most prestigious juvenile events on the calendar. On show this year were a host of multiple National & World Champions, including a strong core from Handballing strongholds Kilkenny, Cork, Wexford & Tyrone.
To challenge the skills of these young stars, a unique team event was used, with teams made up of two females and two males (one U16 and one U18 of each). Timed games was the format of choice, and it certainly provided a lot of upsets and thrilling encounters.
Saturday’s Group matches were hosted in Carrickmore & Breacach courts, and saw the 24 player, 6 team competition whittled down to the Finals for Sunday. The last two teams standing were Team DALY, captained by Cork man and reigning Munster U18 champion Eoghan Daly, and Team HORAN, captained by Wexford’s reigning All-Ireland U17 champion Conor Horan.
The atmosphere was building as the finalists were introduced to a packed gallery. Carmel Kelleher (Cork) & Anthony Clifford (Kilkenny) took both opening matches for their Team Horan, defeating Una Duggan (Kilkenny) and Joshua Roche (Wexford) respectively. But a strong performance by Irish 17&U Nationals champion Leah Minogue (Clare) over Hannah Grace (Tipperary) saw the lead side with Team DALY by a mere two points heading into the final matchup between the captains.
Eoghan Daly stormed into an early 6-0 lead and put the pressure on Horan from the off. Some top quality handball ensued but it was the Cork man who’s confidence grew and he eventually took the match and title for his team 19-4.
Preceding the main Team Finals was the U12 local finals as Greencastle’s Emma Conway defeated Carrickmore’s Minnie McCallan, and Loughmacrory’s Micheal McCrystal defeated Breacach’s Tiernan Kelly respectively.
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SF 1: Team DALY 85 - 68 Team McALEER
- Eoghan Daly (Cork) v Gary McAleer (Tyr) 19-19
- Leah Minogue (Clare) v Amy Brennan (Kilk) 23-13
- Joshua Roche (Wex) v Ruairi Kerr (Tyr) 20-13
- Una Duggan (Kilk) v Katie Jordan (Kilk) 23-23
SF 2: Team HORAN 80 - 66 Team DELANEY
- Conor Horan (Wex) v Harry Delaney (Kilk) 25-8
- Hannah Grace (Tipp) v Jodie Keeling (Wex) 15-19
- Anthony Clifford (Kilk) v Noah Manogue (Kilk) 20-14
- Carmel Kelleher (Cork) v Caislin Treacy (Tyr) 20-25
Final: Team DALY 73 - 56 Team HORAN
- Eoghan Daly (Cork) v Conor Horan (Wex) 19-4
- Leah Minogue (Clare) v Hannah Grace (Tipp) 25-14
- Joshua Roche (Wex) v Anthony Clifford (Kilk) 11-17
- Una Duggan (Kilk) v Carmel Kelleher (Cork) 18-21
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