Joyce in heroic handball win for Mayo

It was a hugely successful weekend for Mayo handball with a number of players producing outstanding performances to progress in their respective championship competitions.

The standout result came from Niall Joyce, who produced a sensational performance to defeat the highly fancied Kyle Jordan in the Intermediate Championship. Jordan had been widely tipped as the red-hot favourite for the title, with many in handball circles believing he would walk the championship following his recent victory over Diarmuid Nash in the Southern Classic. However, Joyce flipped the script in emphatic fashion.

Joyce stormed through the opening game 21-7 with an aggressive and fearless display, using superb movement around the court and relentless attacking shot-making to put Jordan under constant pressure. Jordan, although looking laboured from a recent injury, showed true courage and gifted ability, digging deep to respond and take the second game 21-19, but Joyce once again showed tremendous composure in a thrilling finish. The Claremorris man edged the decider by the narrowest of margins, 11-10, to seal a remarkable victory. He advances to the Intermediate final where he will face Tipperary’s Rory Grace on March 15.

Cuileann Bourke also recorded an impressive win in the Intermediate Championship, defeating Kilkenny’s Marie Walshe 21-3, 21-6. Walshe was expected to pose a serious challenge but Bourke delivered a dominant performance from the outset and progresses to the semi-final where she will meet Cork’s Carmel Kelliher next Sunday in Croke Park.

There was further success for Mayo in the Masters grades. Vinnie Moran produced a commanding display to reach the Silver Masters final with a comprehensive 21-2, 21-9 victory. Johnny Coyne also booked his place in the Emerald Masters final after a hard-fought contest, winning the first game 21-14 before narrowly losing the second 21–20. Coyne regrouped well in the tiebreaker and powered home 11-3 to secure his place in the decider. Both finals are scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 14.

There was disappointment for some Mayo competitors. Paddy Murphy, Ciaran Cuddy, Martin Kelly and Joe Cummins all exited the championships despite battling displays. Tom McCormack deserves special mention after a tremendous effort in a marathon encounter with Meath’s Jimmy O’Reilly. McCormack pushed the match all the way before eventually losing out by the narrowest of margins, 11-9, in a dramatic tiebreaker after a gripping contest.

Next weekend, Sean Nevin and Feidhlim Guilfoyle (U16 doubles) and Ciara Halinan (U17 singles) will be competing in the All-Ireland semi-finals in Croke Park as part of a huge handball card which will include the All-Ireland Senior singles semi-finals which will be live on TG4 sports YouTube page.