Sligo handballers face Connacht finals
Added: 05-07-2012
Handballers in 4 Connacht 60 x 30 singles finals
Sligo handball players will be appearing in 4 provincial singles finals next weekend. Francis McCann should retain his Connacht title while Martin Cooney, Michael McMorrow & Colin Slevin face difficult assignments.
Golden Masters A singles: Francis McCann v Martin Vahey/Michael Heraty (Mayo)
Francis McCann is chasing another Connacht title in a long and illustrious handball career. The Ballymote man is the reigning champion in this grade having defeated Cavan’s Mickeleen Brady 21-11, 21-13 in last year’s final. This will be Mc Cann’s first test as he embarks on retaining his All-Ireland title. McCann will face either Martin Vahey. McCann has been in consistent form off late and should have that little bit extra experience to qualify for the semi-final and a crack at winning an astonishing 18th All-Ireland handball winners medal.
Silver Masters B singles: Martin Cooney v George Miller (Mayo)
Castleconnor’s Martin Cooney & George Miller meet in the final of the Silver Masters B. Both players have not met since last year’s Connacht 40 x 20 semi-final clash which Miller won. Cooney picked up a shoulder injury in that match that has kept him out of handball for the past 15 months and is just returning to action. There is never much between these players meet and it could go down to a deciding 3rd game. Another fantastic match is in prospect and if Cooney can get control of the game he could win out in Connacht.
Emerald Masters A singles: Mick McMorrow v Kevin Geraghty (Mayo)
St. Mary’s Club man Michael McMorrow will be on a wing and a prayer as he has the unenviable task of trying to take the scalp of favourite Kevin Geraghty in the Connacht Emerald Masters A singles final. McMorrow an All-Ireland Emerald Masters B doubles champion with John McLoughlin in 2011 is certainly up against it against the Swinford club man. McMorrow will have to give his best performance in years and even that may not be good enough. McMorrow has impressed in training but will need to move up an extra gear or two if he is to challenge Geraghty for provincial honours.
Junior C singles: Colin Slevin v Eamon Higgins (Mayo)
For Oxfield’s Colin Slevin this is new territory playing in a Connacht 60 x 30 final. On Friday evening last Slevin justified his place in the provincial final with a fully merited 21-12, 21-17 victory over Roscommon’s Liam O’Ceallaigh. More at home in the 40 x 20 court the Oxfield man shocked O’Ceallaigh in straight games in Collooney. The question is can Slevin maintain this form and surprise Higgins to claim his first Connacht 60 x 30 title at adult level.
Connacht handball championships 60 x 30 finals
Friday 6th July in Ballymoe Roscommon at 7 p.m.
Junior C singles: Colin Slevin v Eamon Higgins (Mayo)- match 1
Golden Masters A singles: Francis Mc Cann v Martin Vahey - match 2
Emerald Masters A singles: Mick McMorrow v Kevin Geraghty (Mayo) match 3
Saturday 7th July in Ballymoe at 5 p.m
Silver Masters B singles: Martin Cooney v George Miller (Mayo) – match 2
