Kells Handball news round up

18 November 2015

Golden Gloves 40x20



Patrick and Peter Funchion travelled to compete in the Golden Gloves tournament in Belfast with both competing in the Men's Open grade.

Peter who went in as #3 seed got his tournament off to a great start defeating top Wicklow player Michael Gregan 21-14, 21-11. Patrick met #2 seeded Martin Mulkerrins from Galway and despite taking the first game 21-20 Mulkerrins came back to win the 21-12, 11-4 in a brilliant game.

Peter went through to the quarter final to meet Tyrone player Johnny Woods, a triple gold medal winner at the World Championships. However Peter, a former world champion himself was on top form and defeated the Brackey clubman 21-12, 21-10 to reach the semi finals. Patrick meanwhile bounced back excellently following his tie break defeat to Mulkerrins to take home the Men's Open Plate defeating this years Masters All Ireland Champion Tipperary's David Maloney in the final.


Peter would meet Colin Crehan from Clare in the semi final after Crehan ousted Mulkerrins in an 11-10 tiebreak win. The bannerman took the first game 21-12 before Peter regrouped with a dominating performance to win the second 21-3 to set up a tie break to see who would reach their first Open final. In an excellent third game Peter came through 11-10 to reach the final.

In the final he came up against this years beaten Senior All Ireland finalist Charly Shanks from Armagh. Shanks was on top form in the opening game winning 21-6 at the St Pauls venue. Peter started strongly in game two gaining an 11-2 lead before Shanks experience got home back in the game. Peter eventually was beaten 21-12 and Shanks took the title but not without a fight.


European Pro Tour - Belgium Open One Wall

Dan Breen travelled to compete in the Belgium Open part of the European Pro Tour. He competed in Men's B Singles, Men's C Singles and Men's Open Doubles with double World Champion Daniel Kavanagh from Wexford.

Dan played a busy schedule of games with 16 matches in two days. Dan won the Men's C Singles final having defeated fellow Irish player Kevin Mulligan 13-4 in the quarter final. In the final he met Simeon Van Stalle from Belgium and got off to a great start with a 10-2 lead. The Belgian player took a timeout and regrouped to win the next two aces. In the end Dan defeated him 13-4 to pick up the singles title in a grade with a huge field of where 57 players competed. 

This was Dan's first international title and after claiming Silver at the World Championships he was delighted to come home with gold.


All Ireland Juvenile 60x30

Eoin Brennan collected the clubs only 60x30 All Ireland of the year defeating Kerry player Dara Keane to pick up the Boys U15 Singles title. 

The final was held in St Comans Roscommon and Eoin put in a great performance to defeat the Munster Champion 15-2, 15-7 having put in the hard work in training in the buildup to the game. Eoin defeated Wexford in the Leinster final and having received a bye in the All Ireland Semi Final had plenty of time to train leading up to the final.

A great year for Eoin saw him pick up three Leinster titles, an All Ireland and compete strongly in the World Championships.

 

All Ireland Team of 6 Juvenile 60x30

Kells was well represented on the county team that had a good Leinster campaign which saw them reach the All Ireland stages of the team of 6 competion. The U14/15 team were first into action on finals day and unfortunately lost out in the final to a strong Cork team. Michael Power, Kieran Buckley, Joe Cowhig and Conor Hoban featured for the club on the team that lost out in the final. They can be proud of reaching this stage as its not easy to get to an All Ireland final at any level.

 

All Ireland Ladies 60x30

In the Ladies Junior B Singles final Kirsty Maher met Connaught Champion Janet Connaughton from Galway and unfortunately lost out to the strong Galway player. Kirsty can be proud of her efforts in reaching the All Ireland final after a great campaign through Leinster. Earlier in the year she picked up the Junior B title in the 40x20 and the double nearly came off. Kirsty can look back at 2015 after having a great year on the courts.

 

Leinster One Wall

In the Ladies Leinster One Wall Tournament Marie Walshe defeated Catriona Lawlor from Clogh and fellow Kells player Aoife Walsh. In the final Marie met recent Junior All Ireland Champion Niamh Dunne from Laois and came away with a good win. This adds to the County Ladies title she won earlier in the year


Picture 1 : Golden Gloves Finalists - Charly Shanks (Champion) and Peter Funchion (Runner-up)

Picture 2 : Golden Gloves Plate Finalists - David Maloney (Runner-up) and Patrick Funchion (Champion)

Picture 3 : Belgium Open Finalists - Simeon Van Stalle (Runner up) and Dan Breen (Champion)

Picture 4 : Eoin Brennan receiving his All Ireland medal from GAA Handball President Willie Roche

Picture 5 : All Ireland U14/15 Team Of 6 Finalists - Cork (Champions) and Kilkenny (Runners up)

Picture 6 : All Ireland Ladies Junior B Presentation with Kirsty Maher 

Picture 7 : Ladies One Wall - Niamh Dunne (Runner Up) and Marie Walshe (Champion)