World Wallball Championships - Day 5 Round Up

By Paul Fitzpatrick

It was a positive day for the Irish juveniles at the World Wallball Championships in New York, with a string of titles secured across the age grades.

Cian Dunning from Conna, Co Cork produced one of the stand-out performances as he captured the Boys 19&U Singles crown, defeating Kenny Lin in straight games, 15-5, 15-10.

Dunning completed a memorable double later when he teamed up with Learaí Ó Grádaigh from Galway to win the 19&U Doubles title. The Irish pair were pushed all the way by Sebastian Guaraca and Andy Castillo but came through in a tiebreaker to take the honours.

There was also double success for Armagh's Kevin McGrath. He was a convincing winner of the Boys 15&U Singles final, seeing off Emmanuel Najera 15-9, 15-0, before stepping up an age grade to partner Thomas Finn in the 17&U Doubles.

That proved to be another thriller, with Finn and McGrath eventually getting the better of Aaden Mohammed and Jeremiah Phromajunya in a tiebreaker.

Finn had earlier been involved in one of the matches of the day in the Boys 17&U Singles final. The Abbeylara youngster came up just short against Galway's Bertie Donohoe, who was in terrific form, after a high-quality contest which went all the way to a tiebreaker.

Nina McBride was another Irish player to enjoy a hugely successful day. The St Gall's youngster defeated Westmeath's Alanna Staunton 15-10, 15-5 in the Girls 15&U final and also added the Small Ball title to her haul.

There was further Irish success in the Boys 15&U Doubles, where Wexford's Paddy Byrne and Galway's Kerrill Hynes combined to take the title.

Lucy McCullagh came agonisingly close to adding another championship in the Girls 17&U grade. She took Belgian Eloise Clement, who also won the 19&U title, to a tiebreaker in the final before eventually having to settle for runner-up.

At senior level, Martina McMahon has booked her place in the Small Ball Open Singles final.

There was disappointment, meanwhile, for Fiachra Ó Dúill and Sean Kerr in their deferred match. The Irish pair took the contest to a deciding game but went down 11-4 in the tiebreaker, which was held off due to fading light.

The finals are down for decision in Central Park today.

More to follow.