Local Notes: All-Ireland final for Paddy Murphy
Patrick Murphy
Claremorris Handball Club’s Paddy Murphy reached the All-Ireland Senior Singles Hardball Championship Final following an impressive weekend of competition.
Paddy began his campaign in Kells on Saturday week last, defeating Kilkenny’s Kieran Neary 25-11 before recording another 25-11 victory over Evan Murphy of Limerick.
Those wins secured his place in Sunday’s All-Ireland final at Croke Park.
There he faced experienced Kilkenny player Shane Dunne, a two-time winner of the Senior Singles title. Paddy produced a strong challenge but ultimately came up short in the final.
Claremorris was well represented at the recent FIBA Youth Under-18 EuroBasket tournament in Croatia, with two members of the Ireland team having strong family connections to the area.
Galway-born Michael Cunningham-Smyth, a member of Titans Basketball Club, is the son of Padraig Smyth, originally from Main Street, Claremorris. US-born Aidan McGrath, who represents Thayer Academy and Middlesex Magic Basketball Club, is the son of Kevin McGrath of Quincy, Massachusetts.
The McGrath family has strong roots in the Claremorris area through Ballykinave and Koilmore, as well as connections with Glenfarne, Co Leitrim. Both young players featured for Ireland at the tournament, continuing the strong sporting links between Claremorris and the Irish diaspora.
There was strong local success in the latest Mayo GAA Club Development Draw, with five Claremorris winners and one from Hollymount sharing €1,500 in prize money.
Damien Hall, Claremorris, won €500, while Kieran Heneghan, Catherine Noone, David Hurley and Melissa Walsh, all Claremorris, each won €200. Mike and Niamh McHugh, Hollymount, also collected a €200 prize.
