There was no joy for the two Roscommon Handball in Connacht Final action at the weekend.
In the 60 x 30 Junior Singles Connacht Final Lisacul’s Denis Creaton came up short in his bid to win the title against Galway’s Kevin Craddock today (Sunday). Craddock narrowly lost the All-Ireland Final last year and is a very experienced campaigner at this level and proved his favouritism was warranted by dominating their match in the low-roofed Castlebar court. Unable to take the strong Headford man out of the middle of the court, Denis had to play a defensive game and was beaten 21-11, 21-12.
St Coman’s Aoife McDonagh was decisively beaten in her 60 x 30 Ladies Junior ‘B’ Singles Connacht Final by Galway’s Roisin Ni Chonghaile. While both players would be more comfortable in a 40×20 court the Moycullen girl adapted far better to take their match 21-0, 21-14.
Four 60×30 Connacht Finals were held in St Coman’s Handball Club Roscommon town over the weekend. Sligo’s Francie McCann had an easy win over Mayo’s Michael Heraty in the Emerald Masters grade. Mayo’s Kevin Geraghty beat Sligo’s Michael McMorrow in Diamond Masters. Mayo’s former three-time Minor champion Niall Joyce comfortably beat Galway’s Conor Noone in their U21 final and Mayo’s Paul Gavin won his Golden Masters ‘B’ encounter with Galway’s Brendan McNeela.
Fionn reaches Tournament Final
In other news, in the unusually timed Loughmacrory (Co. Tyrone) Onewall tournament, Fionn Cusack went all the way to the final of the Boys 15 & under before agonisingly going down 16-17 to Inis Mor’s Jason O’Toole. Fionn has had a great year in Onewall winning the Nationals ‘B’ title and hopefully he can continue his rich vein of form in the upcoming 60 x 30 championships.