Benoit McKiernan wins Connacht Minor title as O'Flynn misses out

Benoît McKiernan representing Annaduff Handball Club and Leitrim made history this Sunday winning the Connacht Minor title in Collooney against the odds. 

Galway's Gavin Kelly was the favourite, given his ability to kill and spin the ball, both of which were on display in the first game which Gavin seemed to be comfortably winning. But Benoît started to fight his way back before going down 21-13.

That set him up for the next game where he started well, going 5-3 up , killing nicely into the left. It was neck and neck for most of the match but Benoît's superior fitness told in the end and he won out 21-15.

The final set was a  fantastic game to watch for spectators before Benoît finally won the tiebreaker 11-8. This was a great achievement from the talented hurler and handballer who hadn't taken a game off Gavin before. Next up for Benoît will be an All-Ireland semi-final date TBC.   

Also playing in Collooney on Sunday was Leitrim's Anthony O'Flynn who played his Connacht Final in the Silver Master's B against Josian Oskoz. The first game was a fantastic spectacle with long rallies but in the end Anthony lost the first with a very creditable 21-17. 

In the second game, Josian introduced a new serve along the left which Anthony was able to return but not with the power he would have liked as the Sligo man won out   21-7. Still a very creditable silver medal for the Manorhamilton handballer.

Drumshanbo's Leo Logan hosted Mayo's Chris Gavaghan. Leo came out of the blocks fast, taking the first game 21-6 but Gavaghan found a way back into the game in the second, pulling out a great service to win 21-19. 

Leo was angry at himself for letting the Mayo man back into it but he was determined to take the match and his greater fitness made the difference as he took the tie breaker 11-4.

Leo faced Mayo's Shane Heraty in the over 35s Connacht final last Monday