Enjoyable finish to season for Mayo handballers

After seven rounds of action, the Mayo GAA Handball 40x20 Winter League came to a very enjoyable conclusion last Saturday, December 16 when the semi-finals and finals were played off at the Lakeside Sports Centre, Ballinrobe. This is the first time in many years that such a competition has been run in Mayo and it should stand to the county’s handballers as they prepare for Connacht championship action early in the New Year.

Great credit must go to Wayne Devine of Bofield Handball Club who initially proposed the idea of a Winter League and, after receiving the backing of Mayo GAA County Handball Board to run with the idea, served very efficiently as the tournament’s fixtures secretary.

Entries were received from nine of Mayo’s thirteen handball clubs but unfortunately some of the initial entrants had to withdraw due to injury. Nevertheless, the competition ran smoothly and was played in a very sporting manner, with players from across the county travelling to each other’s club facilities every week where they invariably received a warm welcome.

The league was split into two divisions based on players’ standings. A notable feature of the competition was the number of entrants who returned to playing handball after a lapse of a few years, as well as the number of newcomers to the 40x20 code. Those two aspects even of themselves represent a measure of success.

In Division B, Mick Corley (Belcarra) defeated Mark Heneghan (Tuar Mhic Éadaigh) in the Plate final, after they had seen off Michael Lang and John Ronan (both Tuar Mhic Éadaigh) in the Plate semi-finals.

The Division B Cup final was won by the experienced Aidan Connaughton (Newport) after a tight battle against Mikey Kelly (Claremorris). They had previously beaten Pádraig O’Malley (Newport) and Wayne Devine (Bofield) respectively in their semi-finals.

In the Division A semi-finals, Paddy Murphy (Claremorris) beat Ciarán Burke (Newport) and Ronan McNea (Newport) saw off Chris Gavaghan (Swinford), thereby setting up another Claremorris versus Newport final. This result went the opposite way to the Division B final, with the powerful Claremorris man getting the upper hand over his gallant Newport opponent.

When presenting trophies to the winners and runners-up, Mayo GAA Handball chairperson Ciarán Burke expressed his gratitude to the league organiser Wayne Devine and also to all the host venues, participants and referees. In view of the success of this year’s competition, it is hoped that it will become an annual event which will grow in future to have three or more divisions.

Thanks were also extended to Gerry Kenny Sports (Ballina) and Pat Murphy of Broadford Handball Club who supplied prizes, to outgoing county handball secretary Gemma O’Malley for her support with vital formalities, and to the staff of the Lakeside Sports Centre.