Handball is as strong as ever in the county as Austin McKenna points out. 40 x 20 Monaghan may not have enjoyed the success in 2001 as in the previous year, but nonetheless, we competed well in Ulster with twenty players competing. Michael McCarron, St Mellan's was the only success story. He won the Silver Masters A Singles Ulster Final by defeating G Cullen, Armagh 21-11, 21-4. Ulster finals were contested without success by John Eogan, Owen Joe McClave, Cathal Higgins, Michael Todd, Peter Cassidy and Cathal Earley. At the World Police and Fire Games, Indianapolis, USA, in June 2001, Connor McDonnell, Monaghan Harps, won a silver medal in the Open Singles Final when he was beaten by Larry Salmon, Canada. Connor also won a bronze medal in the Open Doubles Section, having been beaten by the number one seeds from USA. 60x30 Nine players contested the Ulster championships and despite the competition being held in July/August, Monaghan had three Ulster winners; Peter Owen Fealy and John Eogan in Masters B and Silver Masters B singles respectively. Peter Cassidy and Cathal Earley contested the All-Ireland Final in Emerald Masters B Doubles, but were defeated by Frank Daly and Michael Nolan, Roscommon. Ulster finals were also contested unsuccessfully by the following; Cathal Flynn, Connor McDonnell, Cathal Higgins and Michael Todd. Juveniles In Ulster, Monaghan were represented in six juvenile finals held at Tydavnet. Michael Hanratty and Francis Sheridan (Corduff) were beaten by Tyrone. Niall McCarrick (Carrick) was also beaten by Niall Loughern (Tyrone). In the U13 Doubles, Colm Kieran (Carrick) and Patrick McMahon (Tydavnet) were beaten in a very evenly paired match by Tyrone opposition. Mark Downey, who had previously won the U12 and U13 titles made it three in a row, when he beat Paul McGovern, Antrim 15-4, 15-7. In the U14 doubles, Gary McGarthy and Paddy Lonergan (Carrick) were beaten by Tyrone. Finally, the U16 final between Sean Downey (Carrick) and Ruairi Kelly (Tyrone) ended with another victory for Tyrone, but it was a great achievement to contest six finals and confirm our position as number two within Ulster at Juvenile Handball. Mark Downey went on to reach the All-Ireland final after a great semi-final win 15-6, 15-10 over Tim Prendiville, Kerry. In the All-Ireland final held at Saval, Mark took on Robert McCarthy, Westmeath. He won the first game 15-7, but after a tremendous battle the match went to a tie break, which was won by the young man from Westmeath. There is no doubt that this young prospect will win an All Ireland in the near future. Feile Congratulations to St Mellan's club finishing runners up in division two of Feile na Gael in Cork where they were defeated by Ballydesmond, Cork 26-22. Tydavnet HC won the U14 feile competition by defeating the St Mellan's team. Coaching This year we ran a foundation course with ten members attending. Those participating greatly appreciated the game skills shown to them by course tutors Jimmy King and Sean McEntee. Best wishes to all handballers from Monaghan County Handball Board. County Handball Winners and runners up Championships - Singles Winners Senior - Michael McCarron - Truagh Junior - Stephen Callery - Truagh Novice 1 - Connor McDonnell - Monaghan Novice 2 - John Treanor - Truagh Novice 3 - Jimmy Kiely - Tydavnet Novice 4 - Ciaran Clerkin - C.M.X. Runners Up Senior - John Eogan - C.M.X Junior - Gene McMahon - Magheracloone Novice 1 - Jimmy Hayes - C.M.X Novice 2 - Gregory Finnegan - Truagh Novice 3 - Declan McKenna - Emyvale Novice 4 - John Conlon - C.M.X Juvenile Championships Winners U12 - Niall Reilly - Corduff U13 - Niall McCarthy - C.M.X. U14 - Mark Downey - C.M.X. U15 - James Hand - Magheracloone U16 - Sean Downey - C.M.X. U17 - Keith Sheeran - Truagh U18 - Stephen Gollogly - C.M.X U21 - John McAnespie - Truagh Runners Up U12 - Michael Hanratty - Corduff U13 - Colm Kiernan - C.M.X. U14 - Gary McCarthy - C.M.X. U15 - Matthew Gibbions - Truagh U16 - James Gavaghan - C.M.X U17 - Adrian Keenan - C.M.X U18 - Rory O'Connor - Magheracloone U21 - Damian McRory - Truagh County Leagues Winners Senior - Martin McEntee - Monaghan Junior - Owen Joe McClave - Truagh Novice 1 - Shane McKenna - Emyvale Novice 2 - Jimmy Kiely - Tydavnet Runners up Senior - John Eogan - C.M.X Junior - Stephen Callery - Truagh Novice 1 - Peter Brennan - Magheracloone Novice 2 - John Treanor - Truagh Gollogly Insurance GAA League Winners Winners: Monaghan: Peter Clerkin (capt), Stephen Leonard, Pat Meehan, Kevin Sweeney and Paddy Treanor Runners up : C.M.X.: Terry Kiernan (capt), Michael O'Gorman, Jimmy McCahey, Eddie Hughes Championship Doubles Winner Junior - Stephen Callery/Owen Joe McClave - Truagh Novice 1 - Connor McDonnell/Cathal Flynn - Monaghan Novice 2 - Michael Holohan/Brendan Finan - Tydavnet Novice 3 - Terry Kiernan/Jimmy McCahey - C.M.X Novice 4 - Pat Meehan/Peter Clerkin - Monaghan Runners up Junior - Gene McMahon/Peter Owen Fealy - Magheracloone Novice 1 - Jimmy Hayes/Jim O'Farrell - C.M.X Novice 2 - John Treanor/Austin McKenna - Truagh Novice 3 - Darren O'Reilly/Peadar McCluskey - Truagh Novice 4 - Michael Treanor - Aidan Keenan - Truagh Tweet

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