Collooney Handball Club

Friday, 12 September 2014

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)

Sunday, 7 September 2014

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)

Saturday, 6 September 2014

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

Wednesday, 3 September 2014

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)

Saturday, 30 August 2014

Connacht Masters B 60 x 30 doubles title for Bruen & Cooney

Congratulations to Collooney & Sligo star Shane Bruen who teamed up with Castleconnor’s Martin Cooney to win the Masters B Connacht title with a 21-15, 21-2 victory over Roscommon’s John Kennedy & Seamie Conneely

Collooney handball club celebrate

Mick Kelly & Paddy Walsh cut the tape to open the new court

Collooney handball club committee

Collooney handball club celebrate

After many years of dedication, hard work and commitment the Collooney handball Club Committee were at last able to celebrate the opening of their state of the art 40 x 20 handball court last Friday evening, writes Michael McGee

A huge gathering of people from all over Ireland attended the opening of the Collooney handball 40 x 20 court on Friday evening last. In attendance was Joe TaaffeSligo G.A.A Chairman, Eamonn McMunn Sligo G.A.A Administrator. Shane Malone Main Contractor, P.J. Moran Engineer on the project. Wexford Handball Secretary Tony Breen and his wife Betty made the long journey to Collooney. Amongst the attendance was Michael McElroy son of William McElroy the Club’s first Secretary in 1928. Also there was Brian Cooper of Markree Castle the family who kindly donated a plot of ground on the Fairgreen where the handball courts are now situated. With the viewing gallery full to capacity the evening started with an Ecumenical Blessing by Fr. Pat Peyton P.P. Collooney and Rev Adam Pullen Ballisodare. After the blessing two of the legends of the game in Sligo Paddy Walsh & Mick Kelly who between them have won 39 All-Ireland handball titles had the honour of cutting the tape to open the new €200,000 state of the art handball court. It was a case of double celebration for Walsh as he also celebrated his 74^th birthday. D.J. Charlie Brown provided the musical entertainment.

Development Chairman Hugh McGarry gave the speech and began by sincerely thanking the Cooper Family of Markree Castle who kindly donated the ground in the Fairgreen back in 1928 where the handball court is built. McGarry had a warm “Cead Mile Failte” for Brian Cooper who was in attendance. McGarry praised Fr. Pat Peyton PP Collooney who launched the plan back in 2011 and said “that the people of Collooney are very lucky to have him.” “Fr. Pat is a tremendous help to us over the last 3-4 years”. The Development Chairman thanked Tony McLoughlin T.D. who was instrumental in helping the club receive the €50,000 sports lottery funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport in January of last year which greatly aided the project. He also thanked all the support received from the weekly Bingo in Collooney hall and acknowledged “that this would not have happened only for the support of their loyal supporters”. P.J. Moran a lecturer in Engineering was described as a “great guy” by McGarry. “This was his ideas and plans and great credit to him.” McGarry was full of praise for the main contractor Shane Malone “when Shane came on board my problems was solved.” Shane is an absolute gentleman McGarry added. Malone’s team of contractor’s Jimmy Kilgallon, Eamon Waters, Padraic Harte, Michael Harte & the Walsh brothers were also thanked for their excellent work.

McGarry remembered great friends of the club who are now deceased people like Willy Loftus, Ned Connelly, Mrs Jackson, Mickey Finn, Kathleen Finn, Gabriel Walsh & John O’Hara and with that there was 30 seconds of silence for those departed. McGarry mentioned past players the Clifford brothers, Mannion brothers, Kenneth McKenna, Bergin brothers, Flynn brothers, Johnson brothers Ballisodare, Harry Colleary, Sonny Hennessy &Tom Colleary. The Development Chairman reiterated his desire to continue their development during the winter months to renovate the 60 x 30 court and have an Official opening in Spring of next year. All of the committee were individually thanked for their extraordinary dedication and commitment in the last number of years. McGarry was delighted to see Michael McElroy son of William McElroy the first Club Secretary in 1928 looking hale and hearty at the opening. McGarry looks forward to seeing the club players reach their potential in the years to come and that the new generation will also bring great success to the club.