Eircom Handball Finals 2011
November 25, 2011The Eircom Handball Finals returned to St Josephs in Wexford for their annual finals. Our Co-Ordinator Seamus Buggy had everything ready and with players travelling from all regions it was all set up for a great weekend of handball. The format for 2011 was two Divisions 1& 2 of Doubles with games to 20 minutes and played on a round robin basis. Next the draw for partners commenced and it threw up some very interesting pairings.
In Division 1 the pairings were Eamon Conneely & Jimmy Sheridan, Fergal Ryan & Aiden Bell, Liam Bourke & Pat Lacy, Denis Phelan & Pat Collins, Jimmy Heffernan & Padraig Gerathy. In Division 2 the pairings were Tom Prenergast & John Sheridan, Peter Mulryan & Seamus O Fatharta, Michael Coyne & Tom Donoghue, Billy Mc Elroy & Tom Walsh. Some Players were unable to play due to injury & others could not turn up due to work & family commitments .
In the Division 1 Round Robin scores were hard to come by and we had some great games. Fergal Ryan & Aiden Bell topped the group beating beating Liam Bourke & Pat Lacey 28-8, Denis Phelan & Pat Collins 24-8, Jim Heffernan & Padraig Gerathy 20-12, and were beaten by Eamon Conneely & Jim Sheridan 14-11. Eamon Conneely & Jim Sheridan Drew their games with Pat Collins & Denis Phelan 20-20 & with Jim Heffernan & Padraig Gerathy 14-14.They beat Liam Bourke & Pat Lacy 22-19. Liam Bourke & Pat Lacy secured a Semi-Final Place beating Denis Phelan & Pat Collins 19-13 & Jim Heffernan & Padraig Gerathy 25-15. The Final place in the Semi-Final was down to the winners of Jim Heffernan & Padraig Gerathy & Denis Phelan & Pat Collins. This was very close with Denis & Pat just shading it 25-18.In Division 2 there were some very big scores recorded . Tom Prendergast & John Sheridan set the pace winning all their Round Robin games in style getting a massive 95 aces and only conceding 42. Peter Mulryan & Seamus O Fatharta were close behind with Tom Donoghue and Michael Coyne just edging out Billy McElroy & Tom Walsh to take 3rd Place. In the Semi Finals Tom Prendergast & John Sheridan Beat Billy McElroy & Tom Walsh 32-13 & Peter Mulryan & Seamus O Fatharta Bt Michael Coyne & Tom Donoghue 36-20.The Final was a close affair as tired limbs struggled to last the pace. In a low scoring final Prendergast & Sheridan just about edged it beating Mulryan & O Fatharta by 20-18. In the Plate final Michael Coyne & Tom Donoghue beat Billy Mc Elroy & Tom Walsh 30-23.
In Division 1 Semi Finals Fergal Ryan & Aiden Bell beat Denis Phelan & Pat Collins 33-16. Eamon Conneely & Jim Sheridan Beat Liam Bourke & Pat Lacy 24-11.In a very Close final Conneely & Sheridan Beat Ryan & Bell 14-11. In the plate final Bourke & Lacy Beat Phelan & Collins 19-14. Well done to all the players who took part and thanks to all who refereed the games . A special thanks to Eileen Lacy for looking after the refreshments throughout the day.
At a function held in the Drinagh Court Hotel the Eircom Handball Chairman Michael Coyne welcomed all the players and guests . The event was a great success and there were some great games of handball during this years event. Michael thanked the St Josephs Club for the use of their wonderful facilities and welcomed the Club representitives Chairman Ritchie Culleton, Ned & Gavin Buggy. Michael Thanked our Sponsors eircom Credit Union, Claremorris Sports & Social Club, Castlebar Sports & Social Club, Martin Jennings Inch Bar Ballinrobe, Brian Gilhooley (Wex), Richie Browne (Wex), Willie Tyrell (Social Club Wex) & Robert Doyle (Wex). He thanked the Management & Staff of the Drinagh Court hotel for a lovely meal and their hospitality over the weekend. Michael Coyne made the Presentation to the winners and runners up and the evening was rounded off with music ,song & storytelling led by a most capable Fear a Tí Michael Coyne with music provided by Brendan Ennis & Pat Collins. We all look forward to the World Championships in City West (Dublin) in October and closely followed by the eircom finals in November 2012.
Pat Collins (National Secretary) Tweet
