Shane Bruen & Martin Cooney All-Ireland Masters B doubles 60 x 30 champions 2014

                  All-Ireland Masters B doubles 60 x 30 champions: Martin Cooney & Shane Bruen

              Martin Cooney, Shane Bruen, pictured with runners-up  Damien Kelly & John Roche Wexford

                                                  All-Ireland Champions: Martin Cooney & Shane Bruen

My thanks to Connell Cannon, Seamus Duffy & Tony Breen for the photos


Congratulations to Sligo's Shane Bruen & Martin Cooney who won the All-Ireland 60 x 30 Championships Masters B doubles final with an 21-18, 21-10 win over Wexford's John Roche & Damien Kelly in Crinkle today.

An excellent year for Shane with 2 All-Ireland medals winning both Masters B singles & doubles title while Martin Silver Masters B singles (40 x 20) Silver Masters B singles (60 x 30) and Masters B doubles (60 x 30) capped off a brilliant year for the Castleconnor Club man

Meet Sligo's All-Ireland handball champions

                              The victorious All-Ireland handball singles champions from Sligo: 

Shane Bruen Masters B, Paddy Walsh Over-70's & Martin Cooney Silver Masters B winners.

Bruen & Cooney aiming for doubles success

Shane Bruen & Martin Cooney go in search of another handball title on Saturday in Crinkle

Confidence will be high for Sligo doubles pairing of Shane Bruen and Martin Cooney following their terrific singles success in Dublin on Saturday. The duo are aiming for more success this time in the Masters B doubles final. Both Bruen & Cooney are very strong at this level as has shown in their Connacht final win over Roscommon's John Kennedy & Seamie Connolly by 21-15, 21-2. The duo made the long journey to Dungarvan to take on Tipperary & Munster Champions Paul Maher & David Tobin and again had an excellent 21-8, 21-10 victory. Their opponents again will be from Wexford . John Roche & Damien Kelly will provide the opposition. A tough task awaits the Sligo men but the Connacht champions have trained very hard for this one and will want to end the season on a high with another All-Ireland title. On current form Bruen & Cooney will fancy their chances of going all the way in Crinkle.

All-Ireland handball championships  60 x 30 finals:
Saturday 27th September in Crinkle at 11 am
Masters B doubles:  Shane Bruen & Martin Cooney (Sligo) v John Roche & Damien Kelly (Wexford)

Sligo's 3rd handball title today while its handball title Number 30 for handball legend Paddy Walsh

            
 Sligo's 3rd & Paddy Walsh's 30th  All-Ireland handball title

Saturday September 20th 2014 will go down in Sligo handball folklore as one of the County's best every day's in handball, writes Michael McGee.

In an historic day for Sligo handball  which started with Castleconnor's Martin Cooney capturing the Silver Masters B singles title with a hard fought win over Wexford's Robert Doyle in the Na Fianna G.A.A. Club in Dublin. This was quickly followed up  by Collooney's Shane Bruen winning his first All-Ireland singles title with a solid 21-17, 21-9 win over Wexford's John Roche. Attentions quickly turned to Crinkle but updates were hard to come by. When news did filter through it was an another historic win for Sligo handball legend Paddy Walsh.  Sligo's most decorated handball player of all time kept up his relentless pursuit of more All-Ireland winners medals and he did not disappoint.

Today in Crinkle he faced his old adversary in Dublin's Mick O'Brien in the Over 70's singles final. O'Brien took the 2012 title from Walsh's grasp but this time Walsh was waiting, willing for the battle to commence. But he had to do it the hard way. He lost the first narrowly by 17-21 but manfully fought back to level the match with an 21-14 win in the second. In the third and deciding set  Walsh's runaway train got up a head of steam and there was no stopping him as he saw off the Dubliners challenge to seal an historic win in the third by 21-1.  Last year Walsh (now 74)was honoured with a Civic Reception from Sligo's then Lord Mayor Marcella McGarry. On today's historic win he should be feted  yet again for his extraordinary achievement. Seventy four years young, 30 All-Ireland handball titles.  What a handball legend we have here in Sligo. Not alone that the likes of Shane Bruen & Martin Cooney should be feted as well.

All-Ireland handball 60 x 30 championships finals:
Silver Masters B singles:  Martin Cooney (Sligo) dft Robert Doyle  (Wexford) 21-10, 21-19.
Masters B singles: Shane Bruen (Sligo) dft John Roche (Wexford) 21-17, 21-9
Over 70's singles: Paddy Walsh (Sligo) dft Mick O'Brien (Dublin) 17-21, 21-14, 21-1.
Golden Masters A singles:  Francis McCann (Sligo) lost to Mickey Dowling (Kildare) 15-21, 17-21

All-Ireland Handball Champions

Sligo Handball heroes: Martin Cooney & Shane Bruen with their coveted All-Ireland handball medals 

Heartiest congratulations to Shane Bruen & Martin Cooney who won All-Ireland handball titles in the Na Fianna G.A.A Club in Dublin today. Cooney had an epic 21-10, 21-19 win over Wexford's Robert Doyle in the Silver Masters B final while Shane Bruen Masters B singles overcame another Wexford player in John Roche by 21-17, 21-9.

Up next  for them is the All-Ireland Masters B doubles final where they will take on Wexford's John Roche & Damien Kelly in Crinkle next Saturday 27th September at 11 a.m.

Bruen & Cooney reach yet another All-Ireland handball final

                                       Shane Bruen & Martin Cooney into All-Ireland singles & doubles finals

Sligo handball is definitely on a upward swing. Not alone has Collooney opened their state of the art 40 x 20 court  late last month but four of the counties handball players are now appearing in All-Ireland finals next weekend.  Added to that Shane Bruen & Martin Cooney teamed up to win comprehensively against Tipperary’s Paul Maher & David Tobin. Bruen & Cooney ran away with it recording a thoroughly deserved 21-8, 21-10 over the Tipperary men in Dungarvan today. Both players are also appearing in the All-Ireland singles finals next weekend against Wexford opponents in the Na Fianna G.A.A. Club in Dublin. Paddy Walsh Over 70’s & Francis McCann are also contesting All-Ireland finals in Crinkle next Saturday.

Result All-Ireland handball 60 x 30 championships played in Dungarvan today:

Masters B doubles semi-finals: Shane Bruen  & Martin Cooney (Sligo) dft Paul Maher & David Tobin (Tipperary) 21-8, 21-10.

Mick & Sally Kellly celebrate their Golden Jubilee - Congratulations

The Collooney handball club would like to congratulate  Mick & Sally Kelly on their 50^th Wedding Anniversary. Mick & Sally married in St. Baithin’s Church Donegal on 8^th September 1964 and on Friday evening amongst family, friends, work colleagues and handball players the happy couple celebrated their Golden Jubilee in the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea Ransboro. And afterwards a reception was held in the Glasshouse Hotel Sligo.

Mick the holder of ten All-Ireland titles with Paddy Walsh recalled their 50 years of wedded bliss with some amusing anecdotes thrown in for good measure.  A pictorial CD detailing their past 50 years together was played on the large computer screen.

A large crowd attended and celebrated with the happy couple in the small hours.

The Collooney handball club would like to wish Mick & Sally every health & happiness in the future.

Sligo players in 4 All-Ireland handball 60 x 30 finals

Collooney club stars Paddy Walsh & Shane Bruen contest All-Ireland finals at the weekend

Sligo  players in 4 All-Ireland handball 60 x 30 finals

Collooney handball Club who recently opened their state of the art 40 x 20 handball complex could have more to celebrate with club players Shane Bruen & Paddy Walsh who are contesting All-Ireland 60 x 30 singles finals next weekend.   Together with Ballymote’s Francis McCann & Castleconnor’s Martin Cooney it could turn out to be a momentous week for Sligo handball, writes Michael McGee

Bruen to bring home his first All-Ireland title

Shane Bruen is attempting to win his first singles All-Ireland title where he will face Wexford’s John Roche.  Bruen previous success was in 1988 when he won a Colleges All-Ireland Junior Doubles title with Michael Tormey with St. Mary’s Secondary School Boyle. Bruen the holder of 6 Connacht titles to date  has showed impressive form on route to the final. In the Connacht Semi-final Bruen avenged the loss to Mayo’s Michael Ginley in the 40  x 20 court to defeat the Mayo man in Ballymote by 21-16 21-5. In the Connacht final the Collooney club man was equally impressive when seeing off the challenge of Roscommon’s John Kennedy by 21-15, 21-2.  And in the All-Ireland semi-final played in Ballymote Bruen again was in imperious form defeating Limerick’s Mike O’Connor in straight games by 21-10, 21-14.  His opponent will be Wexford’s John Roche. Roche defeated Monaghan’s Michael Clerkin 21-15, 21-7 in his semi-final.  The Sligo man has worked hard and is undoubtably very close to making the breakthrough that he so richly deserves.   Roche will pose a serious threat to Bruen’s title ambitions but the Collooney star has prepared meticulously and on current form should gain a long overdue All-Ireland winners medal.

Walsh’s thirtieth title

Meanwhile from a player who is aiming to win his first to another player who is aiming for his 30^th All-Ireland winners medal.  That man needs no introduction and that is the legendary Paddy Walsh.  Walsh the Sligo handball Wizard won his first All-Ireland title back in 1974. He has also won 6 County G.A.A titles with Collooney/Ballisodare and 1 with the St. Mary’s Club.  Sligo’s most decorated player of all time was honoured with a Civic Reception by the then Lord Mayor Marcella McGarry last year. Walsh who recently turned 74 is still hungry for more All-Ireland titles will meet Dublin’s Mick O’Brien in the final. In a repeat of the 2012 final it was the Dubliner who came out on top by 21-13, 21-5. The Sligo star has shown impressive form in training and looks set for another All-Ireland handball title in an astonishing handball career.

Cooney & McCann going for All-Ireland gold

Ballymote's Finest: Francis McCann

Two other Sligo players in final action are  Ballymote’s Francis McCann Golden Masters A singles & Castleconnor’s Martin Cooney Silver Masters B singles: The Ballymote man  defeated Mayo’s Frank Macken  21-3, 21-7  in the  Connacht final and accounted for Tipperary’s Kevin Mullins by 21-7, 21-16 in last week’s semi-final.   McCann who has shown consistent and inspirational performances all season is aiming for his 20^th All-Ireland title. McCann lost to Dowling in both All-Ireland singles finals in 2012 will be eager to get back to winning ways. On current form the Sligo man should do just that.

                                                         Castleconnor's all conquering Martin Cooney

  Castleconnor’s Martin Cooney is already having a great season having claimed the Silver Masters B  All-Ireland singles 40 x 20 title last March.  He goes into the Silver Masters B singles final with impressive outings in Connacht. In his semi-final contest with Tipperary’s Paul Maher played in Clonmel, Cooney came out on top by 21-7 21-20. His devastating firepower has unhinged players. In the final he will meet Robert Doyle who is highly regarded by Wexford Handball  Secretary Tony Breen.  Doyle the Antique Fireplace Business man has blazed a path through Leinster and easily defeated Monaghan’s Tony McElduff 21-0, 21-7 in his semi-final. Cooney, the Castleconnor pocket rocket master class show should continue as he aims to extinguish the Slaneysider's title hopes.

All-Ireland handball 60 x 30 championships finals:
Saturday 20th September in Na Fianna Dublin at 11 a.m.

Silver Masters B singles:  Martin Cooney (Sligo) v Robert Doyle (Wexford)

Masters B singles:  Shane Bruen (Sligo) v John Roche (Wexford)

At Crinkle Co. Offaly at 2 p.m.
Golden Masters A singles: Francis McCann (Sligo) v Mickey Dowling (Kildare)

Over 70’s singles:  Paddy Walsh (Sligo) v Mick O’Brien (Dublin)

Collooney doubles pairs in All-Ireland semi-final action

All-Ireland 60 x 30 championships semi-finals:

Saturday 13^th September in Dungarvan Co. Waterford at 1 p.m.

Masters B doubles: Shane Bruen & Martin Cooney (Sligo) v David Tobin & Paul Maher (Tipperary)

Saturday 13^th September in Broadford Co Limerick at 1 p.m.

Golden Masters B doubles: Peter Chambers & Stanley Harte (Sligo) v  Tim O’Shea & Donal Hayes (Limerick)

Bruen & Walsh into All-Ireland handball 60 x 30 finals

                                     Mike O'Connor Limerick and Sligo's Shane Bruen.

Collooney’s Shane Bruen & Paddy Walsh are through to the All-Ireland handball 60 x 30 championships finals. In today’s action in Ballymote Shane took on Limerick’s Mike O’Connor and won in straight games by 21-10, 21-14. Paddy Walsh got a bye into the final.

Ballymote’s Francis McCann & Castleconnor’s Martin Cooney have also reached the singles finals. Next weekend is the doubles with Bruen & Cooney favoured to progress in the Masters B doubles.

All-Ireland Handball Championships 60 x 30 semi-finals:

Results:  Masters B semi-finals:  Shane Bruen (Sligo) dft Mike O’Connor (Limerick) 21-10, 21-14

Bruen & Walsh play in All-Ireland semi-finals in Ballymote

All-Ireland Handball 60 x 30 Championships semi-finals

Saturday 6^th September in Balllymote at 2 p.m.

Over 70’s Singles:  Paddy Walsh (Sligo) v Mossy Butler (Waterford)

Masters B Singles: Shane Bruen (Sligo) v Mike O’Connor (Limerick)