All roads in the world of GAA handball lead to Breaffy Sports Arena in Castlebar this weekend for three action-packed days of pulsating action as the top players in the country bid for glory at the 2015 Irish One Wall Nationals.
The big Tyrone exodus began on Thursday as the county’s leading players get ready to try and surpass the record breaking achievements of twelve months ago when Tyrone players stole the show with a string of stunning victories, culminating in the historic men’s open triumph for Conor McElduff.
The Breacach star, who recently captured the All-Ireland junior singles title in the 40×20 court, looked on course for another serious tilt at the national senior prize in recent weeks as he secured the men’s open title in Mallow and followed up with a dominant showing in the Ulster senior championship, but Ireland’s top one-waller has suffered a serious injury setback in the past week which will undoubtedly have an effect on his chances of retaining the number one spot.
Conor sustained a broken finger and a nasty injury to his right forearm while training last weekend, but he is adamant that he will be taking his place in the men’s open lineup in Breaffy House and is determined to hold onto the title he won in spectacular fashion last summer.
The men’s open title has an even greater value attached to it this year as the final trophy winner will also secure his ticket to the World Handball Championships in Canada in August as a member of Team Ireland.
Apart from the title holder, Tyrone will also be represented by last year’s runner-up, Darragh Daly, Gabhain McCrystal, Michael Donnelly and the in-form Patrick McCrory in the mens open field this weekend.
Tyrone will also provide some of the fancied participants in the Boys 19 and under grade, which was won by Conor McElduff and Johnny Woods in the last two years.
Johnny is back in Breaffy to defend his title and is on top form after winning the Tyrone senior league title and is keen to earn his place on Team Ireland.
Tyrone will also have recent Clann Eireann mens open winner, Pol Clarke, and multiple Irish nationals winner, Sean Kerr, participating in this grade, with Sean choosing to step out of the under-17 grade to have a crack at the Team Ireland prize.
Aaron Owens and Niall Allison are also involved in the under-19 draw, while Clare’s Fergal Coughlan, Monaghan’s Darren Doherty and Galway’s Jamie Kelly are all serious contenders.
Maeve McElduff will fly the flag in the girls under-19 event and has a great chance, but will have to beat Armagh’s Niamh Coleman and Galway’s Ciana Ni Churraoin to collect the honours.
Tyrone will be strongly represented across all grades this weekend, with high hopes of victory in many competitions and there is even the possibility of matching the incredible feats of last year.
Here is a reminder of all the finals which featured Tyrone players in the 2014 one-wall nationals…
GAA Handball One Wall Nationals Finals 2014
Mens Open Singles Final: Conor McElduff (Breacach, Tyrone) dft Darragh Daly (Carrickmore, Tyrone) 15-9, 15-3
Silver Masters Singles Final: Niall Kerr (Breacach, Tyrone) dft Matthew Patterson (Wicklow) 31-7
Masters Final: Ducksy Walsh (Kilkenny) dft Chris Curran (Loughmacrory, Tyrone) 22-18
Ladies Challenger Singles Final: Michelle Warren (Breacach, Tyrone) dft Annie Havern (Tyrone) 28-14
Boys 13 & Under Singles Final: Lorcan McBride (Carrickmore, Tyrone) dft Eoghan McGinnity (Monaghan) 20-19
Boys 13 & Under B singles Final: Cahir Munroe (Carrickmore, Tyrone) dft Conor Drennan (Kilkenny) 17-11
Boys 15 & Under Singles Final: Sean Kerr (Breacach, Tyrone) dft Daniel Kavanagh (Wexford) 22-15
Boys 15 & Under B Singles Final: Ciaran Cuddy (Carrickmore, Tyrone) dft Niall Delaney (Cork) 23-16
Boys 17 & Under Singles Final: Jamie Kelly (Galway) dft Niall Allison (Carrickmore, Tyrone) 17-10
Boys 19 & Under Singles Final: Johnny Woods (Breacach, Tyrone) dft Ryan Harkin (Cork) 15-11
Girls 11 & Under Doubles Final: Mairead & Dearbhail Fox (Loughmacrory, Tyrone) dft Louise McGinnity & Chloe Philpott (Monaghan/Clare) 29-8
Girls 15 & Under B Singles Final: Laura Finn (Sligo) dft Michaela McCartan (Breacach, Tyrone) 12-10
Girls 17 & Under Singles Final: Niamh Coleman (Armagh) dft Eilise McCrory (Breacach, Tyrone) 24-11
The post Latest Handball News appeared first on Tyrone GAA News.