Treble World Wall Ball glory for Fenagh's Kane sisters

There were huge celebrations in Fenagh last Friday as the local community gathered with the Handball fraternity to welcome home newly crowned World Wall Ball champions Sophie and Katie Kane after the finals at the University of Limerick last week.

Sophie Kane took home gold medals in the 13 & under singles plate competition and the doubles cup final while her older sister Katie won the Girls 17 and under doubles plate title with Belfast doubles partner Maeve Gallagher, prompting fierce celebrations and a wonderful welcome home event in Fenagh.

In addition to all that, Danny Reilly of Clonguish and Annaduff Handball Club together with his doubles partner won the Men's 40+ doubles plate.

Friday evening’s weather had many in the county diving for shelter but for Peter Heaney and others in Fenagh, the inclement weather goes unnoticed as preparations at the handball alley to welcome two new world champions home.

On the final day of the 2024 World Wall Ball Championships at University of Limerick, Sophie Kane joined with her doubles partner Molly Joyce from Tipperary to step onto the court for their delayed doubles final after a tournament that saw over 800 participants from 12 countries pursue world glory.

The Kane family pictured with family members at Fenagh Handball Alley

Their eyes firmly on the prize, a 13 and under girls world title is within their sight. TG4 cameras are streaming their match worldwide. 

Tiredness is in the air after six very long arduous days of handball but Sophie and Molly don’t show it. Full of strength and movement they play some of their best handball, keeping their opponents constantly thinking. 

They duo control most of the play, with the vociferous Leitrim, Tipperary and Roscommon supporters present willing them on against their Dublin opponents.  

As the final ace is scored, sealing another accolade and world title for Sophie, there’s an immediate outburst of emotion with parents JP and Aoife, coaches and mentors rushing onto the court to congratulate the girls. 

Back home in Fenagh a fierce burst of pride emanates through the community. They’ve done it again!  More world titles for the parish to add to the existing three.  A homecoming for these new world champions had to be arranged. Except this time there’s more than one title coming home.

Sophie’s cup match is the culmination of an extremely successful world finals for Leitrim. Six juvenile players from Leitrim clubs along with several adult players with Leitrim connections, went to Limerick carrying a deep sense of belief that they would have something to say in these championships, and they weren’t wrong. 

Leitrim handball had mixed it with the top world and Irish players and came away with no less than three, yes three world titles!

There were the usual hard luck stories, tough draws against top seeds, questionable calls but every Leitrim handball player came away from these world championships with a personal achievement accomplished. The reverberations of their success echo through the county from Annaduff to Manorhamilton.

While others didn’t bring home titles, they can be justifiably proud of their achievements too. 

Jamie Murray of Kilglass and Fenagh clubs together with his doubles partner were runner up in the Mens C doubles plate final. 

Arro O’Reilly and Dashiel Wilson from Manorhamilton club did extremely well getting to the last four in the boys 13 and under doubles cup competition. An amazing feat given the level of tough competition at this grade.  

Daniel Kane from Fenagh met some strong competitors in the 15 and under grades. Playing to his strengths he gave his opponents some great games but just came up short. Abbie Kane participated strongly in the girls 11 and under fun competition. She’s a name to watch for in the future!

Leitrim GAA County Board Chairman Enda Stenson pictured with Sophie & Katie Kane at homecoming in Fenagh

Late on Friday night a sizable crowd gathered at the alley in Fenagh welcoming their two new world champions home. There was a palpable sense of achievement as once again Fenagh and Leitrim Handball had taken on the world and won. 

Peter Heaney introduced the new champions to the crowd, verbalising the enormous sense of pride the club, and the county had in the Kane family’s achievement.  

Peter first introduced these girls to handball, instilling within them a sense of belief that anything is possible in this great game. Those in the know talked about how Peter has now nurtured six world titles for Fenagh. An outstanding achievement for a coach in any sport!

Leitrim GAA County Board  chairman Enda Stenson congratulated the Kane’s family on their magnificent achievement and, also commended all who work in the background promoting Leitrim handball, and highlighted the immense achievement this was for all of county Leitrim.

As the Kane girls showed off their world title medals to the adoring crowd the next generation of Fenagh and Annaduff kids enthusiastically banged balls off the back wall in the big alley. The next cycle of Leitrim handball development has already started.

- David Mahon