By Paul Fitzpatrick
Antrim Allianz Cumann na mBunscol hosted this year’s handball finals in Belfast at the Gort na Mona and Coláiste Feirste alleys.
Indeed, Colaiste Feirste was abuzz with activity as the Minister of Education, John O’Dowd, was turning the first sod on the new £11m Sport’s Facility. Head of PE and senior star Séamus O Tuama was delighted to welcome handballers from all parts of the province to the new alleys at Coláiste Feirste.
The quality of handball matched the facilities as the large gathering of spectators were treated to an array of talents. The handballers from Monaghan Allianz Cumann na mBunscol were in sparkling form as they lifted three Ulster titles while contesting two other finals.
In the U11 Boys Singles, Sean Callan from Naomh Mhuire Monaghan needed a tie breaker to overcome a determined Eoin McElholm from Tyrone.
In the Ulster U13 Doubles final, Nedas Guoga and Ailandys Jocys from Naomh Mhuire used their age advantage to good use as they over-powered the skillful Tyrone pair.
In the Ulster U13 Girls Doubles, St Louis GNS Monaghan pair Karolina Kaklauskaite and Juste Audiejaityte were too powereful for the Donegal pair.
Meanwhile in the U11 Boys Doubles, Evan Bradley and Fergal Magee came up against a well drilled Tyrone pair while Oisin Byrne from Drumgossatt NS met Donegal’s Oisin Marley who just did enough to lift the Ulster U13 Singles title.