Handball IT Tralee GAA

Handball training continues as usual every Wednesday
evening in the Tralee Sports Complex at 6.40pm.

In the USHA Handball Collegiates in Arizona, Shauna Hilley won the top division of the Ladies. http://www.ushandball.org/content/view/821/1/

http://www.gaahandball.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1081:irish-ladies-slam-in-arizona&catid=3:latest-news

Daniel Riordan got to the final of the Mens C grade, but lost in a tie-breaker.

Daniel and shauna with Paddy Gaffney Irish Colleges Team Coach.

ITT GAA would like to thank everyone who helped out in making the recent intervarsity a success. Special thanks to Tralee Sports Complex, Kirbys Brogue Inn and Horans Nightclub.

INTERVARSITIES HANDBALL HAILS NEW CHAMPIONS

All roads once again led to Kingscourt this weekend, as almost 150 third-level students convened in the small Cavan town for the annual ICHA 40x20 Singles Intervarsities. Arguably the highlight of the Intervarsities calendar, the tournament saw old rivalries resumed on court whilst off court friendships were renewed as players from 24 academic institutions came together to compete. The standard of entrants was extremely high this year, and over the course of the four days, venues in Cavan, Monaghan and Meath bore witness to thrilling clashes across 7 men’s and 5 women’s grades.

The blue-riband Men’s Open event was won by Clare’s Diarmuid Nash (NUIG): he defeated Fergal Collins (IT Tralee) to claim his first Intervarsities singles title. In the Ladies’ category, a repeat set-up of this year’s big alley final saw top-seed Ashley Prendiville (UCC) collect the double crown, as she once more overcame rival Shauna Hilley (IT Tralee).

Stylish left-hander Nash had been in devastating form throughout the tournament, dispatching UCC’s David Walsh and big-alley kingpin, Nicky Anthony (WIT) in the quarter and semi-finals respectively to set up the final clash with Collins.

The first game proved an exhilarating battle, with very little separating the two players. They were together on 3 and 5 before Nash opened a slight lead, his effective combination of smooth passes and lethal kill-shots securing him an 11-7 and then a 14-9 advantage. Collins demonstrated his resilience, however, fighting back to draw level on 14 then advancing to a two point lead. The packed audience at Court 1 were on the edge of their seats as the opponents tied again on 16 and 18: it was clear this game could go either way. However, in the end it was Nash who prevailed, reaching game-ball with an ace and then sealing victory with a passing-shot down the left, the score-line 21-18.

The second game was a more one-sided affair. A string of rasping kills into the left corner gave Nash a 4-0 advantage, prompting Collins to call a time-out. Collins pulled back to 3-4 but then Nash really found his form, his cleanly-executed kills seeing him power to a 14-3 lead. As in the first game, there were some spectacular rallies, both players accomplishing some incredible gets and breath-taking kills from all areas of the court. Collins continued to fight bravely, however the momentum was clearly behind the Clare-man at this point, and Nash pushed on to take the game 21-7 and secure his title. His name will now be added to the Intervarsities roll of honour alongside multiple all-Ireland winners and world champions, Paul Brady, Tony Healy and Eoin Kennedy, and will certainly be one to watch in the not-so-distant future.

Cork’s Ashley Prendiville was in similar form as she faced down rival, Hilley in the Ladies’ final. The reigning 60x30 champion initially got off to a slightly slow start, going 3-1 down before she pulled back and secured a 9-7 lead. From that point, Prendiville came into herself, collecting the points with well-placed kills and the odd ace, to take the first game 21-10. The second game continued in much the same fashion. Although she battled defiantly, Hilley had no answer to Prendiville’s advanced court-craft and precision finishing and the Cork woman continued to seize every opportunity to roll them out, storming her way to a 21-6 victory.

The other grades also witnessed some great clashes. The Men’s A was won by Patrick Funchion (Waterford IT) who defeated Niall O’Connor (Tallaght IT) in two straight games. In the Men’s B, Cormac McMahon (TCD) defeated Paddy Sherry (UUJ) to win the title and Kevin Barrett (NUIG) took the Men’s C with a victory over John Kennedy (IT Carlow). Stephen Travers (DCU) won the Contender grade, defeating Paul Holden (UL); Eddie Nolan (IT Carlow) overcame Michael McManus (TCD) in the Challenger event; and the Beginners’ grade was won by Cian Walsh (IT Tralee) who defeated Gavin Cawley (DCU) in a tie-breaker.

In the Ladies’ grades, Mayo’s Pauline Gallagher (Athlone IT) overcame her doubles partner, rising star Amy Corrigan (Sligo IT), to take the A. The B final was a closely fought affair, with Lisa Loughnane (UL) eventually securing the honours with a tie-break victory over Linda Connolly (RCSI). Siobhán Tully (NUIG) defeated Laura Manion (UCD) to take the Ladies’ C and the Contender grade was won by Marina Kilduff (DCU) who overcame college team-mate Orla Gaffney.

Champion Prendiville will now join 32 other Irish competitors travelling out to the USA at the end of February to take part in the USHA National Collegiates in Arizona, amongst them, Hilley, who will be hoping to avenge her defeat. The ICHA wishes all the players the best of luck for the competition!

Finally, special thanks are due to all those who helped to make the 2011 Intervarsities Singles a resounding success, including all of the club officials of the various alleys in which games were played. And of course, to all the players who participated in the tournament, who put on such an exciting display of handball action and skill across the four days.

Congratulations to Shane Hedigan ( Munster GAA Bursary Recipient ) on receiving the Munster GAA Player of the Year Award.

60x30 Handball Intervarsities October 2009

IT Tralee Hanball club had a good weekend at the 60x30 Handball Intervarsities held in Wexford last weekend.

Shane Hedigan (Business Studies 1st year) got to the Mens "A" final before eventually losing out to last years winner Nick Anthony in a tie-breaker.

Shauna Hilley (Health & Leisure 1st year and Tralee Sports Scholarship Recipient) won the Ladies "A" Plate, while Sarah Cunningham (Tralee CC - Sport & Rec.) and Aoife Dillane (Adventure Tourism 1st year) won the Ladies "B" Doubles competition.

Sarah Cunningham also got to the final of the Ladies "B" Singles competition where she picked up a silver medal.

Finally, IT Tralee went on to take silver in the "A" Team competition. The team was made up of: Shane Hedigan (Business Studies 1st year), Shauna Hilley (Health & Leisure 1st year), Danny Riordan (MEng. Research), Aoife Dillane (Adventure Tourism 1st year) and Sarah Cunningham (Tralee CC - Sport & Rec.).

IT Tralee GAA Club would like to congratulate all involved on what was a very successful weekend for the Handball Club.

Handball Intervarsities results January 2009

Men's B-C-Con Winner to B-C Loser to C-Con
Nevan McCartin (NUIG) dft Daniel Riordan (ITT) 13-15, 15-7, 11-7

Men's C-Con Winner to C Loser to Con
Daniel Riordan (ITT) dft Bernard Reilly (CI) 15-8, 9-15, 11-6

Men's C Round of 16
Daniel Riordan (ITT) dft Michael Busher (UCD) 8-15, 15-2, 11-8

Men's C Quarter Finals
Daniel Riordan (ITT) dft Ronan Costelloe (UCD) 15-14, 13-15, 11-3

Men's C Semi Finals
Daniel Riordan (ITT) dft Mark Kennedy (LIT) 15-10, 15-12

Men's C Final: Seamus Casserly (DIT) dft Daniel Riordan (ITT) 14-15, 15-10, 11-7

ICHA secretary, Dave Smith (DCU) presenting medal to Daniel Riordan
who won the 60 x 30 Handball Intervarsities in Sligo.