Community Games silver for Sophie as Anthony & Joel reach Masters Final

placeholder image — Leitrim's competitors at the Cairn Community Games National Handball Finals

Handball

Fenagh’s Sophie Kane was Leitrim’s top performer at the Cairn National Community Games Finals in Gormanstown last Sunday as the Ballinamore Area player took silver in the U13 girls final.

Sophie set out her stall early, beating players from Roscommon 21-2 in ten minutes and Clare 21-2 in nine minutes. She continued her flawless form as they defeated opposition from Kildare 21-3 in the quarter final and Dublin 21-5 in the semi-final.

Up against Meath’s Coco Griffin in the final, Sophie found herself trailing 14-3 early on but stormed back into contention to get it back to 14-13. In a ding-dong battle, the Meath girl prevailed to take the title 21-16 in what has been a remarkable season for Sophie, winning Connacht Primary Schools and Clubs titles.

Sophie is definitely one of the top U13 handballers in Ireland at the moment and has a big future in the game.

Mohill Area’s Maxim Gilmartin fought a thriller U13 battle against a Clare opponent, nip and tuck the whole way. The Annaduff clubman led 20-16 only for his opponent to come back to win 21-20, a heartbreaking defeat for the Leitrim player.

In the U16 girls, Katie Kane beat her Clare opponent 21-4 in the first round before easily accounting for a Wexford player in the next round. Unfortunately, Katie’s campaign ended on a 21-15 defeat to a player from Dublin.

Leitrim had two players in the U16 boys, Peter Cox bowing out 21-15 after an incredible battle with one of the top players. Daniel Kane beat his Longford opponent 21-5, playing some incredible shots but then came up against a really good opponent, playing some great handball before losing out 21-14.

Overall it was a very good performance from all our players, our clubs and county are proud of these young handballers.

In the Masters Semi Finals, Anthony O'Flynn and Joel Smith progressed to an All-Ireland final after beating Tipperary on Saturday. The match started badly for the Leitrim duo as they lost the first 21-4 but they refocused on their own serve in the second, opening up a lead.

The Leitrim pair managed to get over the line 21-19 to keep their hopes alive and in the tiebreaker, they turned on the style, winning 11-3 having cracked the serve. Best of luck to the duo against Wexford this weekend in the All-Ireland Silver Masters B.