Six Clare handballers were crowned All-Ireland champions in Cavan this weekend.
Fergal Coughlan Jr was the first to collect an All-Ireland medal on Saturday, he defeated Jordan O’Neill of Antrim 21-18 15-21 21-15 in the Junior decider. Broadford’s Caitríona Millane won the ladies equivalent 21-16 21-16 against Galway’s Eimear Ní Bhiadha.
Tulla’s Colin Corbett became the All-Ireland intermediate singles winner for the first time in his career overcoming Ian McLoughlin from Mayo 21-20 21-3.
Jennifer Nicholas and Aoife Dooley combined in the U15 Doubles competing against Galway’s Amanda Ní Bhradaigh and Meabh Ní Chúlain 15-2 15-5.
Chloe Phillpott of Kilkishen paired up with Tuamgraney’s Leah Minouge in the U16 Doubles final and they too tasted All-Ireland glory beating Eadaoin Níc Dhonnacha and Skylyn Ní Mhaille from Galway 21-18 21-5.
There was defeat for Eimear Murphy in the U15 singles on the smallest of margins. Her game with Roscommon’s Carragh Kennedy went to a tiebreaker but she came out on the wrong side of the 15-7 12-15 15-13 scoreline.
Scariff duo Diarmaid Nash and Mark Rodgers also endured defeat in the Senior and Minor men’s singles finals. Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy won his fourth senior title at the expense of Nash 21-17 21-15. Despite it being a close contest from open play, McCarthy edged the battle in the front of the court with several kills to either corner proving decisive. However the Mullingar man paid tribute to his opponent after collecting the title, “It’s very hard to play in a final against a friend like Diarmaid, he carried me through a couple of doubles World Championships. I know he’ll be back and will get this title too.”
Although victorious in the second game, Rodgers lost out to Eoghan McGinnity who became the first Monaghan handballer to win the Minor title, 21-10 14-21 21-13.
