Bruen & Coleman into Connacht final

Bruen & Coleman into Connacht final

Connacht handball 40 x 20 Championships semi-finals

Junior C doubles:  Michael Bruen & Gerry Coleman (Sligo) dft Alan Mannion & Robbie Kelly (Roscommon) 18-21, 21-8, 21-8

Almost perennial provincial finalists  Michael Bruen & Gerry Coleman are through to yet another provincial decider when getting the better of Roscommon’s Alan Mannion & Robbie Kelly in Saturday’s Junior C doubles semi-final in Collooney.  In a very even first game with little separating the sides it was the Roscommon pair that made the breakthrough with scores delicately poised at 18-18. The Roscommon duo finished stronger to take the opening game.

Despite this setback Bruen & Coleman began to settle to the task in hand. In the second the Sligo men were never really troubled as they raced away to record a comfortable 21-8 win in the second.  The tie breaker followed in a similar vein with Michael Bruen killing well and Gerry Colman’s accurate roof shots helped to keep the Rossies on the back foot.  Most of the long rallies were won by Sligo and Bruen’s/ Coleman’s and their greater workrate paved the way for an exciting 21-8 win in the 3^rd.

Bruen & Walsh to continue on winning way’s

Shane Bruen & Michael Ginley renew rivalry’s in the Masters B singles final. Shane Bruen looked well on course in last year’s encounter but a nasty finger picked up against Ginley severely  hampered his chances and it was the Mayo man who came through.  Shane got his revenge in the 60 x 30 court defeating the Mayo man in 3 games before going on to win the All-Ireland Masters B singles final. Sunday’s encounter could also go to a deciding 3^rd game but the Sligo man looks in better shape this year and should get over challenge by the Bofield Club man.

The legendary Paddy Walsh takes on Galway’s Peter Mulryan in the Over 70’s final.  Walsh the legendary Sligo Wizard looks odds  on favourite  to keep up his remarkable handball career. The holder of 30 All-Ireland handball titles in an astonishing career is going well in training and should have too much for the Galwegian.

Michael McGee makes a welcome return to action for the first time in 6 years. Battling back from 3 career threatening serious spinal surgery’s in 4 years the Meath native takes on Mayo’s John Coyle. The Sligo man received a bye in the semi-final while Coyne defeated Galway’s Mike Keneally  21-9, 21-6 in Inverin.  The Mayo man will start as clear favourite.

Peter Chambers has an uphill battle in the Golden Masters B singles decider on Sunday’s decider in Salthill.  Peter defeated Roscommon’s Jimmy Nolan  21-9, 21-14 in his semi-final contest in Lisacul while Miller defeated Michael Coleman in straight games.  Peter Chambers going well in training but a step up will be required if he is to become Connacht champion.

Connacht handball 40x 20 championships finals:

Sunday 15^th February in Curraghboy at 3 p.m. : 
Masters B singles:  Shane Bruen (Sligo) v Michael Ginley (Mayo)

Over 70’s singles:  Paddy Walsh( Sligo) v Peter Mulryan (Galway)

Sunday 15^th February in St. Coman’s Roscommon at 3 pm:

Silver Masters B singles: Michael McGee (Sligo) v John Coyne (Mayo)

Sunday 15th February in Salthill at 3 p.m.
Golden Masters B singles:  Peter Chambers (Sligo) v George Miller (Mayo