Scoil Bhríde awarded Mary Tully Cup at Cumann na nBunscol handball finals

Forty-two children from ten different schools throughout the county took part in the Cumann na mBunscol handball competitions in St. Coman’s Handball Club, Roscommon.

Scoil Bhríde were awarded the Mary Tully Cup, for their great work in promoting handball in the school. The cup was presented in memory of Mary Tully, who organised the competitions for many years before her untimely death. Her husband Michael, daughter Siobhan, and grandson Jake made the presentation to some of the assembled Scoil Bhríde players.

On the court, the first game of the day was the U-11 Girls’ Singles final between Emer Hanley of Knockcroghery NS and Sinead Hall from Slatta NS. Emer prevailed to become the first county champion of the day.

The next competition was the U-11 Boys’ Singles, keenly contested by six young lads. Following the extremely competitive qualifying games, the final was won by Adam Farrell of Roxboro NS, who defeated Alex Brennan from neighbouring Scoil Bhríde in Fourmilehouse.

There were five entries in the U-11 Boys’ Doubles section. After some tight, tense games, Conor Gavigan and Oisín O’Neill from Scoil Bhríde, played twins, Cian and Jamie Duffy from Lisacul NS in the final. Despite the best efforts of the twins, the boys from Scoil Bhríde won, and were crowned county champions.

Four girls participated in the U-13 Girls’ section. The final was an all-Ballyfeeney NS affair, with Caoimhe Cashin playing her friend and classmate Aoibhinn Gallagher. An epic struggle ensued before Caoimhe was declared the worthy winner.

In the U-13 Boys’ Singles competition, the highest number of entries of the day fought it out in some incredibly skilful and nail-bitingly close games, before Patrick Farrell from Roxboro NS and Josh Reilly form Lisacul NS qualified for the final. On this occasion, Patrick triumphed, making it two triumphs in a row at this level.

Five pairings took part in the U-13 Boys’ Doubles — two each from Lisacul NS and Scoil Bhríde, with one each from Rooskey NS and St. Coman’s Wood PS. The local pair of Séamie McPhillips and Callum Keane eventually beat a gallant pairing of Conor Greene and Páidín Greene by a narrow margin.

Many thanks to St. Coman’s Handball Club for the use of their facilities for the day, and to Aenghus Cunningham for refereeing all the matches. Best of luck to all the county champions who progress to represent Roscommon in the Connacht finals, which will be held in Collooney, County Sligo, later this month.