Huge success for Tipperary Handballers at World Championships
By Cóilín Duffy
There was huge success for Tipperary Handballers at the World Championships in Minnestoa, USA with 12 medals making their way to the Premier County including six gold medals.
The Championships got off to a superb start, with Ballina's James Prentice capturing the Men's 19 and Under 1 Wall Singles honours, thanks to a 19/21, 21/5, 11/9 win over Sean Kerr in the decider.
Prentice continued his good form in the Doubles competition, also taking top honours, with Mayo's Patrick Murphy, after a gripping final which went to a tie-break, before a 21/15, 17/21, 11/5 win.
Doubles silver went to Nenagh's Sinead Meagher and Clare's Catriona Millane, after they lost to Kildare duo Leah Doyle and Molly Dagg in the 19 and under decider.
While double success didn't come her way, Sinead Meagher did managed to come home with a Gold medal after a 21/12, 17/21, 11/6 win over Megan McCann ensured a Girls 19 and Under Four Wall success.
Success also came Tipperary's way in the Four Wall competitions, when Silvermines duo Brian O'Brien and John Kennedy captured the title, after a stunning 21/2, 21/7 win over Kieran Bourke and Paul Herr in the final.
Cashel's David Moloney claimed a massive win in the Mens 45 and over, beating the USA's Michael Benkelman 21/0, 21/2. Doubles 50 and over success went the way of Cashel's John O'Donoghue who along with Tyrone's Niall Kerr beat Jeff Cottam and Rob Pearse from the USA 21/11, 11/21, 11/4.
In the Boys competition, Tipperary under 21 hurler Jerome Cahill and Tiernan Agnew took Boys 19 and Under Doubles silverware, after losing the decider to Tyrone's Sean Kerr and Shane Dunne of Kilkenny. Silver also went to Rory Grace and his Galway partner Mikey Kelly in the Boys 15 and Under final, after they lost to Wexford pair Josh Cavanagh and Mark Doyle.
In the Mens 45 and over Doubles John O'Donoghue was again among the medallists, as along with David Moloney they took silver after they were beaten in the final by Kevin Hill & Matthew Hiber from USA 21/3, 21/14.
In the Mens A Singles Daniel Hayes from Cashel was beaten in the final by Jack O'Shea from Kerry 17/21, 21/5, 11/5. In the Mens 'A' Doubles, Daniel Hayes partnered by Paul Hedderman from Limerick were beaten by Seamus Ó Conghaile and Ian McLoughlin 21/9, 21/18.
While plenty of success came Tipperary's way, it was also a great week overall for Ireland with most of the main titles coming back to the Emerald Isle in Singles and Doubles competitions across all grades.