McCann outstanding in Sligo Handball league final
May 05, 2010The league has been running for the past six weeks and the final showdown seen Ballymote take on the favourites Castleconnor A. The final lived up to expectations with some excellent exhibitions of play from both sets of players. The 1st doubles seen Ballymote's Martin Golden team up Amy Corrigan as they faced the formidable Castleconnor duo of Martin Cooney & Tom Foody. Castleconnor got off to a great 6-0 start but Golden after a sluggish start brought Ballymote even at 6-6. Castleconnor's Tom Foody had one of his best ever displays in the Castleconnor colours and was very solid on the right. Castleconnor forged well clear at 14-6 with Martin Cooney showing up well. Castleconnor held the advantage at the end of game one leading by 21-9.
It was Ballymote who got out of the blocks quicker in game 2 with a good lead of 8-0. Then disaster struck for Castleconnor's influential player Martin Cooney who injured his right leg. After an injury time out he continued but was clearly hampered by the injury and his subsequent involvement was curtailed thereafter. Tom Foody with a great battling display managed to reduce Ballymote's lead to 9-4. Amy Corrigan was throwing everything at Foody's corner and her great display helped Ballymote race into an 17-5 advantage. Foody's double serve to Golden's left side yielded aces and 5 points in a row from Castleconnor reduced the lead to 17-10. Golden & Corrigan put in a strong finish and took the second game by 21-13.
McCann magic displays all his old wizardry
In the 2nd doubles match Ballymote were represented by Frances McCann & Alan Bourke. Castleconnor's Michael Browne & Joe Gorman have been a great partnership all season and their battle with Ballymote proved to be very exciting. Castleconnor batted back well to draw level with Ballymote at 6-6 but with the experienced McCann leading the way Ballymote surged clear at 19-10 and looked on the way to taking the game. Browne & Gorman had other ideas and the duo put in a storming fightback that pleased the large support from Castleconnor present. Amazingly and against all the odds Castleconnor drew level at 20-20. Ballymote's Francis McCann was ready to put away a powerful Castleconnor return that bounced off the back wall and was heading for the front wall. McCann raced forward to put the ball away but from nowhere came Michael Browne to place the ball down the left side of court to stun Ballymote and take the 1st game by 21-20. Castleconnor now lead Ballymote by 5 points going into the final singles game.
It was then that Francis McCann came into his own. The fleet footed McCann able assisted by Alan Bourke took the game by the scruff of the neck as the duo knowing the league title was on the line. The duo proving the fitter in the final game as Castleconnor's brave resistance wilted under the incessant pressure exerted especially from McCann. At the end Ballymote had secured an excellent win by 21-10 and overall by 71-65. County Handball Chairman and winning team member Martin Golden presented the winners and runners-up with their trophies and thanked both sides for a fantastic exhibition of handball and complimented the Castleconnor Club for the use of their facilities for the duration of the league. The Sligo I.T. handball team were also thanked for their participation. This is the 2nd year the competition has been organized and the league looks set to be an annual event in the Sligo Handball calendar. Tweet
