Ulster success in GAA Handball All Ireland 40×20 finals

A packed Kingscourt HC in Cavan witnessed a fantastic finals programme on Saturday as titles went to Tyrone, Antrim and Westmeath in the 2014 O’Neills GAA Handball All Ireland 40×20 finals.

The Mens Senior title went to Robbie McCarthy (Westmeath) who defeated Clares Diarmaid Nash in two games. The first game saw Nash make a determined comeback afer being 5-0 and 9-2 down to draw level at 12-12 he then went on to take an 18-16 lead. But McCarthy throughout landed five successive points to secure game one and the advantage in the tie.

In the second game McCarthy oozed class as he raced into an unassailable 19-0 lead. Nash fought back to claim five points however McCarthy was not to be denied and sealed his maiden Senior title closing out game two 21-5 to seal success. McCarthy who had lost the previous two finals to Cavan’s Paul Brady succeeded at his third attempt and is now the first man to have won senior titles in all four codes of Handball.

The Ladies Senior title went to Antrim as Aisling Reilly won the latest installment in this fascinating rivalry between herself and Corks Catriona Casey on a 21-11, 21-13 scoreline. Reilly was in blistering form as her power and shot selection on the day proved too much for the Cork star as she secured her first Senior Singles title.

In the Minor Singles Final Tyrone’s Johnny Woods fought off a determined comeback from Clare’s Fergal Coughlan in game two to take the Minor title in two games.

Minor Boys Singles: Tyrone (Johnny Woods) dft Clare (Fergal Coughlan)21-13, 21-19
Ladies Senior Singles: Antrim (Aisling Reilly) dft Cork (Catriona Casey) 21-11, 21-13
Mens Senior Singles: Westmeath (Robbie McCarthy) dft Clare (Diarmaid Nash) 21-19, 21-5