Brady takes national one wall title Paul Brady from the Kingscourt Club in Cavan made a successful debut in the 12th Annual National One Wall Championships finals held in Sligo on June 28th/29th last writes Michael McGee. There was a record entry of over 180 participants, which delighted the chief organisers Connell Cannon and John McLoughlin. The late entry by Brady the current Irish, U.S. and World Champion brought capacity crowds to Collooney to watch the World Champion giving another sublime performance in the final. England sent over a full squad of players lead by Peter Cohen and they were welcome visitors to Sligo. Darcy's double There was only standing room only at the Collooney venue to view top class action in the finals. First on the full programme of finals was the Diamond Masters finale between the well-travelled Morgan Darcy from the Moycullen Club in Galway and Noel Raftery from Lisacaul in Roscommon. Darcy looked well on course to take the first game when he led by 14-7. Left-handed Raftery defiantly came more into the game and began to play some neat handball and almost sneaked it at the finish. In game two after the players were level at 4-4 Darcy began to pull away with some excellent serving, placed shots and volleys put him into an 9-4 lead. Raftery made a bold bid to take the second game. And it was the Lisacaul's club man turn to dominate helped in part from some wayward shooting from Darcy. Within minutes it was level again. However Darcy regrouped and made sure it wasn't going to be tight finish again as he took his second Diamond Masters title on the trot with a 15-11 win. Bruen's Golden Title In the final of the Golden Masters seen Peter Larkin from Monaghan pitted against Martin Bruen from Roscommon. Bruen was deceptively quick throughout. After Larkin pulled back Bruen's early lead to 3-3 it was Bruen who raced ahead by 11-5. Bruen remarkably returned a ball that had gone past him he raced backwards and flicked the ball over his head that landed inch perfect on the front wall with Larkin close by unable to do anything. It was an exciting finish to the game with the Monaghan man coming back strongly and he almost took it. Bruen fought hard for the first game and on his fifth game ball attempt he finally ended Larkin's comeback by the slender margin of 15-14. In the second game scores were tied at 3, 5 and 8. Larkin began to cut out Bruen's serve but this ploy didn't work. The Roscommon man inching his way to the title wasn't going to be denied despite the Monaghan's gallant efforts to stay in the contest. Bruen at his third attempt for National glory finally ended Larkin's hopes with the winning score straight to the front wall by winning by 15-10 in the end. Doolin wins in a thriller In the Girls U18 decider was Roscommon's Leona Doolin and Lorraine Havern from Down. Havern is going to be a new star in Ladies Handball shortly following this exciting contest as she pushed her more illustrious opponent all the way. It was a terrific contest from start to finish and the array of skills on offer by the girls was off the highest order. Doolin was the stronger player in the first game while Havern took a while to settle in her first appearance in a National One Wall final. Doolin took advantage with a 9-2 lead. Havern replied with two scores while Doolin extended her lead with three scores to 12-4. Havern managed to cut the lead with four more scores but the St. Coman's star took the first game with a passing shot down on the right side to win by 15-8. In game two Havern cut loose with an explosive start going 8-0 lead so much so that Doolin called a time out. After this fright Doolin showing great battling qualities came back strongly and drew level with Havern at 10-10. Doolin leading by 13-11. Havern refused to cave in and instead showing remarkable battling qualities came back from the brink and dug deep when she needed it most. Havern forcing the pace gained the four points to bring the contest to a tiebreaker. It was a very close tiebreaker with both girls having opportunities. In the end Doolin did just enough to win but what a fright she got from Havern. Down, Havern maybe but certainly not out. We will be seeing a lot more from this young star in the years ahead. Cooney the comeback kid in Collooney Steven Cooney from the Ballaghaderreen club in Mayo was up against Diarmuid Nash from Clare. This was the match of the day. Nash from Tuamgraney in Clare the same club as the legendary Kirby brothers dominated the first game. He stood in the centre court and dictated matters. Cooney could not move him out of the central control zone as Nash sprayed the ball left and right. It must have felt like the young Cooney was chasing shadows in game one. Nash showing great confidence in his own abilities. Cooney got a number of scores on the scoreboard before Nash finished off game one by 15-5. Cooney went to his Coach John Gaffney at the interval and got wise council. Nash was immediately put on the back foot as Cooney opened up a 4-1 lead. Nash had to dive full length to win a point to only be 5-4 behind. Cooney standing almost directly behind Nash when he was serving to unnerve him. Nash from Clare uncharacteristically tossed his hand out when the ball hit him on his own serve. Cooney took advantage of his good fortune as he now led 12-6. Nash with good serves to the feet of Cooney reduced the lead to 12-9. Cooney destined to be a star in the near future another Dessie Keegan in the making showed great determination. Cooney with two great hands took the second game by 15-10. With the scores at 3-3 in the tiebreaker Cooney giving his all for the win took a commanding 9-3 lead. Nash tried to respond with two points. Cooney then dived to win the point for game ball and duly took it by 11-5 in an absorbing contest. Marianna Rushe marches on in Ladies final win In the ladies final Marianna Rushe from Roscommon was up against Kerry White from England. It was a disappointing final as Rushe proved too strong for the English champion winning comfortably in two games. The Mens C final was an all Meath affair with Eugene O'Reilly up against his doubles partner Peter Flanagan. This was another full-blooded contest. O'Reilly took game 1 by 15-10. Flanagan came back strongly forcing the tie breaker with a 15-5 win in game two. O'Reilly was well on the way to victory when leading 9-3 in the tiebreaker. Flanagan tried to get back into it but could only gain three more scores against the resolute O'Reilly. O'Reilly sealing victory by 11-6. McGlinchey takes the B title Padraig McGlinchey from the Carrickmore Club in Tyrone faced Darren Flynn from Abbeylara. Flynn was hoping for better luck, as he was runner-up in two previous finals. McGlinchey was in superb form and with great fitness and handball ability he kept Flynn chasing the game. At 8-8 McGlinchey upped his performance and Flynn just couldn't match the intensity from the Tyrone man. In the end McGlinchey taking it by 15-10. In game two McGlinchey had a good 5-1 lead but then tossed his hand out with two shorts. Flynn wasted no time to be only 5-4 behind. It was proving to be a great contest with little separating the players. Scores were level at 8, 11 and 12. It was McGlinchey who got the all-important three points to take the title back to Tyrone by 15-12. His great sportsmanship will be remembered for a long time. Even when winning points he agreed for them to replayed and he will gain many admirers as a result. Any ball, any wall, any handball - Brady is simply the best The huge crowd now were waiting patiently for the Men's open to begin. Brady was first on court followed shortly by Dessie Keegan wearing the Irish shirt while Brady wearing a white US playing shirt. Brady had a blistering start taking the Ballaghaderreen man apart with 11 unanswered points. Brady's serving and killing off the ball was world class. The crowd warmed to the Cavan man's exploits. Brady displaying amazing fitness to get to the lowest of Keegan's returns. When Keegan did come to terms with Brady's serving it made for a good contest even though the result was never in doubt. Brady taking the first game by 15-7. In game two Keegan got the first score but Brady got a great ace serving straight down the right hand side with Keegan not quick enough to react. Brady just kept ahead off Keegan in the scoring and the nearest the Ballaghaderreen man could get was 9-8. From there to the finish it was Brady as he ran out a deserving winner by 15-8. Tony Hannon the President of the Irish Handball Council was on hand for all the presentations and he was suitably impressed by the standards of all the players in finals. He congratulated the Sligo Handball Board for hosting another excellent Championships. Tweet

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