McConnell takes top honours in Kingscourt
HANDBALL
The first major local handball tournament of the season, the Kingscourt Shoot-Out, took place over two days earlier this month, with fine form shown by Meath players.
In all, there were 64 players entered from 21 counties, with a large local representation from Cavan, Monaghan and Meath in particular.
The tournament is run on a unique format.
It is broken into two separate competitions, with intermediate and senior players mainly in Shoot-Out 1 (Saturday) and Junior and Junior B players in the mix for Shoot-Out 2 on Sunday, with the games played on a 20-minute timed basis.
Star man on day one was Kells clubman Gary McConnell, who played some brilliant handball to take top honours.
McConnell defeated Gary Donohue from Wicklow, youngster Cian Dunning from Cork, Kingscourt’s Joe Dillon and Tyrone man Ryan Mullan to make the final, where he came through a thrilling clash against Wexford’s Gavin Buggy on a wafer-thin margin, eventually running out a 15-13 winner.
“I’d like to thank the club for running the event, it’s one of the best tournaments of the season and a great way to start the new year,” stated McConnell, an All-Ireland Senior Doubles champion in both 4-wall and softball, in his acceptance speech.
On the Sunday, all roads led to Kingscourt again as despite the poor weather in some parts of the country, 30 players lined up to take their chance, with a large local entry again on day
two.
Gold in the Cup on day two went to 22-year-old Moycullen, Co Galway player Sean Moughan, who was impressive in taking down his clubmate Jack McNeela.
Among the stand-out performers was Kells clubman Troy Flanagan, who edged past underage All-Ireland champion Sean Considine of Clare by a point in one of the matches of the weekend.
Flanagan went on to beat Down lefty Jack Turley and ended up taking third place from the 32-man field, defeating Cavan’s Diego Di Folco in a play-off.
The tournament was sponsored by Kill Shot Handball Gloves.