Handball: Sligo brothers in novel pairing
Friday August 27 2010
Sligo players were out of luck in the All-Ireland singles semi-finals played on Saturday last. St. Mary's Paddy Walsh met his old foe again in Dublin's Mick O'Brien in Collooney. Unfortunately for Walsh he met an inform O'Brien and his comeback just fell short much to the disappointment of the Sligo faithful in attendance.
The was disappointment too for Ballymote's Francis McCann who made the long journey to Clogh in Kilkenny to take on Kilkenny's Johnny Brennan. Still feeling the effects of a car accident last weekend McCann fell short from his customary high performances and Brennan made all the running to win by 21-10, 21-12
Sligo in 3 more All-Ireland handball semi-finals: All-Ireland Handball Championships 60 x 30 semi-finals
Saturday 28th August, at Collooney, Sligo, at 2pm Silver Masters B Doubles: Sligo (Peter Chambers & Stanley Harte) v Wexford (Stephen & Brendan Murphy) Saturday 28th August, at Na Fianna, Dublin, 2pm: Ruby Masters Doubles: Sligo (Paddy Walsh/Michael Kelly) v Dublin (Mick O'Brien / Ray Walsh)
Sunday 29th August, at Kells, Meath 2pm Masters B Doubles: Sligo (Michael McGee/Martin Cooney) v Meath (Joe Lynch / Christy McGovern) Sligo will have three teams appearing in All-Ireland semifinals next weekend. Peter Chambers & Stanley Harte have home venue against unknown opponents in Wexford brothers Stephen & Brendan Murphy. The Sligo men had a terrific Connacht championships culminating in the that memorable 3 set victory over Mayo Martin Vahey & James McNulty in the provincial decider winning 12-21, 21-18, 21- 12.
Paddy Walsh & Mick Kelly travel to the Na Fianna Club in Dublin to take on Mick O’Brien & Ray Walsh. It is a novel pairing with the Walsh brothers Paddy Sligo and Ray Dublin in opposiation. Sligo are the reigning champions in this grade when Paddy Walsh & Padraig Maye claimed the only adult title for Sligo in the 60 x 30 court last year. Walsh & Kelly have been training 2-3 times a week and should get over this hurdle and qualify for the final.
Sligo masters doubles pairing of Michael McGee & Martin Cooney have a tough assignment against Meath’s Christy McGovern & Joe Lynch in Kells.
The Meath men had a great Leinster campaign with narrow wins over Kilkenny & Wexford opponents. Cooney & McGee for their part had an exciting win over Mayo’s Joe Dowling & James Towey winning 17-21, 21- 12, 21-9 in the Connacht Final. McGee the former Meath player who hails from the Crossakiel club 7 miles from Kells will relish the opportunity of renewing competitive action against his former county players. Sligo will start as underdogs against the Meath men in their home court but Sligo have the ability to push the Meath men all the way in what could be a close encounter.
