Katie Kane stars in Wall Ball as Leitrim claim two Connacht Handball B titles

Fenagh’s Katie Kane took a big step in her bid to qualify for the Ireland Wall Ball team last weekend while there was further good news when Leitrim players won two titles at last weekend’s Connacht Juvenile B Finals at the Leitrim GAA Centre of Excellence in Annaduff.

Up first for Katie in Kilglass last Saturday was Moycullen’s Chloe O’Donnell with the Fenagh girl winning 15-3, 15-5 in less than ten minutes, her variety of strokes and dynamism confusing her opponent. Up next was Emer Galligan but the Fenagh player stormed to a  15-8, 15-7 victory.

Katie is now just two games away from representing Ireland and all in Fenagh and Leitrim Handball wish Katie the best of luck in Belfast in two weeks’ time, the games live streamed on TG4 you tube

Leitrim centre of excellence was the only place to be at lunchtime on Sunday when Annaduff Handball Club hosted two extremely exciting and tense Connacht Juvenile B finals.  There was standing room only before the first match, when representing Leitrim, Maxim Gilmartin took on Mayo’s Cianan Keane for the U13 singles title.  

Playing best of three games, each to 15 aces, the first game was a tight tense affair where the serve and lead changed hands many times. The Mayo player got a stranglehold on the game to lead 13-9 but keeping cool and calm, Maxim rallied strongly to see out the first game 15-13.

BIG BLOW AS IRELAND TO MISS OUT ON HOSTING WRC RALLY IN 2025

The second game was equally exciting - Maxim pulled ahead into an early 7:2 lead before his opponent brought it back to 7-5, however that was as close as he got with Maxim picking off his scores to finish out the game 15-6 and taking the gold medal to great excitement from family and teammates.

The second match of the day for the U14 doubles title saw local Annaduff players Eoin Mahon and Adam Neary take on Mayo’s Joe McNally and John O’Sullivan. Starting strongly in the first match, the Mayo duo ran into an early 5-0 lead before the Leitrim pair could regain serve. 

However, once they got back in Adam and then Eoin made great gains from their serve, pinning their opponents back and taking a 10-5 lead.  Regaining serve the Mayo duo took back control to see out the first game on a 15-10 scoreline. 

Game 2 started in a similar pattern with Mayo taking the early lead.  At 7-1 behind, Adam & Eoin regained serve and, playing some outstanding handball, wrestled the game back together at seven apiece. In a tit for tat match the Mayo duo regained the momentum taking a 12-7 lead. 

However, growing in confidence Eoin and Adam fought their way back once again together at 12.  With excitement at fever pitch the Leitrim duo pushed on to win 15-12 bringing the match to a tiebreaker game.

With Mayo serving first in the tiebreaker game, they moved into an early 3-0 lead before the Leitrim duo took control leading by 11 points to 3.  Mayo rallied to regain serve but Leitrim’s Adam and Eoin showing composure beyond their experience quickly regained control of the game and playing some of the best handball of the day, went on to finish out the tiebreaker game and match 15- 7. The result was greeted with great excitement and loud applause by all the Leitrim players and supporters present. Katie Kane presented the winners and runners up with their medals. 

Maxim, Adam, and Eoin will now join the growing list of Leitrim juvenile handball players who are making the move up to play A grade handball in Connacht next year.  Exciting times ahead for Leitrim handball.

FAI ANNOUNCE INTERIM CEO TO REPLACE JONATHAN HILL

Annaduff Handball club would like to thank all the parents, family, friends, and club members who came to support the lads today. Also, to the big travelling support from Mayo who made a great occasion of it. A big thank you to Leitrim GAA and Leitrim Centre of Excellence for the use of their excellent facilities. 

Thank you also to the referees and officials and to everyone who ensured that today’s games ran seamlessly. Also, to everyone who provided refreshments for the players and fans. Finally, a huge thank you to our dedicated coaches in Annaduff Handball Club who meticulously prepared and guided the lads through today's matches.