Crossakiel bt Sligo

Crossakiel defeat Sligo

Crossakiel club players collectively created a piece of notable history when they defeated a gallant Sligo county team in a 60 x 30 handball tournament sponsored by Michael McGee present Club P.R.O. now based in Sligo. Representing Sligo were Steven Quinn, Michael Gaynor, John Farrell, Eugene O’Reilly, Mark Farrell, Michael McGee & Vinny Farrell. McGee the Sligo Handball Secretary lined out with Crossakiel in the historic event. The club took the opportunity to unveil their new playing strips sponsored by Paddy Carney Crossakiel Ltd

Steven Quinn was the first player into action as he took on top Sligo player in Francis McCann. The Sligo man was the quicker to settle taking game 1 by 21-9. It was then we were to see the full quality of what Steven Quinn is capable of. In that second game he pinned McCann back in defence and had time to score important winners close to the front wall. Quinn demonstrating his full skills was well on top taking game 2 by 21-8. In the tie break it was equally as exciting but McCann’s greater experience eventually took its toll as Quinn tired in the closing stages. The Sligo man winning by 15-8 but he knew he was in a game with the “Mighty Quinn” pushing him all the way.

In the 1st doubles match proved equally as exciting also needing 3 games to decide it. In for Crossakiel came Michael Gaynor & John Farrell who tasted success when winning the Leinster U-15 B doubles 40 x 20 title back in 1999. Gaynor & Farrell made all the early running and took game one by 21-12. Sligo’s Mick McMorrow & Hugh McGarry were stung in action and in one displays of the day McGarry playing outstanding handball. McMorrow getting a number of important winners and roll outs they brought the second contest of the day to another tie breaker. Sligo had the momentum built up and despite Gaynor & Farrell throwing everything into it. It was the Sligo men that held firm taking it in a close final game by 15-8. Crossakiel’s 2nd doubles pairing of Eugene O’Reilly & Mark Farrell had little difficulty in defeating Mark Murphy & Peter Chambers by 21-6, 21-8. And in the final game Michael McGee lined out with his former club mates and with Vinny Farrell they took on Murphy & Chambers. Sligo took the 1st game by 21-12 but Crossakiel hit back immediately in the second and with Vinny Farrell in inspirational form they got the better of the Sligo men. The final was score was 160-143. Just before the presentations Hugh McGarry Collooney Club Chairman spoke and thanked the Crossakiel club on their achievement and mentioned that the Collooney court was based on the plans from the Crossakiel club and had a number of photos on hand from his trips to Crossakiel at the time. McGarry hoped that the event will lead to closer ties and friendships and that looks likely. Michael McGee made the presentations to the victorious Crossakiel team and to the runners-up. Afterwards both sets of players went for a meal in Molly Fultons. That evening the Crossakiel players celebrated their historic win with a night out in Sligo. The following morning Michael McGee showed the Crossakiel players around some of the scenic places in Sligo before the team having one last meal at lunchtime. The Crossakiel players made the long but happy journey back as winners. The event looks set to go from strength to strength next year.

Michael McGee wins Connacht Handball Title

Crossakiel's Michael McGee wins Connacht Handball Title


McGee makes handball history for Crossakiel


Crossakiel club man and Sligo player Michael McGee along with Martin Cooney won the Masters B doubles Connacht Championships 60 x 30 title in Williamstown Co. Galway.


Mayo’s Joe Dowling & James Towey were overwhelming favourites as they already have taken the 40 x 20 All-Ireland doubles title in the same grade and were aiming for the double. Sligo started very well but Mayo came back strongly and took game one by 21-17. Martin Cooney was in outstanding form all day and nullified the dangerous Dowling on the left. McGee with some expert serving to Towey’s right side gained many important scores. Sligo taking game two by 21-12. In the final game McGee’s serving helped to put Sligo into a big lead of 13-1. Mayo came more into the contest but the Sligo men held firm eventually taking the Provincial title by 21-9. It was the Club’s first adult provincial title in the clubs history since the club formed way back in 1920.

Eugene O'Reilly is double Canadian Handball Champion

Eugene O’Reilly win’s 2 Canadian National Handball Titles




Heartiest Congratulations is extended to Crossakiel’s Eugene O’Reilly who captured not one but two Canadian Nationals Handball 40 x 20 titles in Burlington Ontario Canada at the weekend. With good preparation before going out to represent Ireland Eugene was in confident in his own ability’s but would never have imagined that he would come back to Crossakiel with two Canadian National Handball Titles.

Playing the handball of his life Eugene, the only test that the Crossakiel star came against his doubles partner Peter Flanagan. Having strolled to the final he had a big battle against Flanagan but came through this test displaying excellent exhibitions in the art of killing and defensive play. Many players would have been happy with one national title but Eugene teamed up with Peter Flanagan as they destroyed the doubles field. In the final the Meath men hammered Pelissier brothers Bernard & Ethiene from Montreal 21-9, 21-6. Eugene O’Reilly follows in the footsteps of Michael McGee who also won 2 Canadian Titles in Vancouver in 2002.




Results Canadian Nationals Men’s C Singles and Doubles


Round of 16: Eugene O'Reilly (Crossakiel CO. MEATH) d. Jeff Walsh (St. John's, NL) 1,1
Christopher Avalos (Richmond Hill, ON) d. Adam Smith (Burlington, ON) 13,13
Peter Flanagan (Kells, CO. MEATH) d. Cyril Pumphrey (St. John's, NL) 1,1
Jérôme Santerre (Québec, QC) d. Kris Graves (Oshawa, ON) 6,5
Ryan Elliott (Fort Erie, ON) d. Daryl Wiebe (Winnipeg, MB) 3,5
Ken Dunn (Hamilton, ON) d. Etienne Pelissier (Montreal, QC) (12),11,4
Shawn O'donnell (Toronto, ON) d. Don Cramp (Little Britain, ON) 2,7
Quarters: Shawn O'donnell (Toronto, ON) d. Dylan Copeland (Winnipeg, MB) 7,8
Eugene O'Reilly (Crossakiel, CO. MEATH) d. Ken Dunn (Hamilton, ON) 10,2
Ryan Elliott (Fort Erie, ON) d. Christopher Avalos (Richmond Hill, ON) 10,(18),9
Peter Flanagan (Kells, CO. MEATH) d. Jérôme Santerre (Québec, QC) 2,11
Semis: Peter Flanagan (Kells, CO. MEATH) d. Shawn O'donnell (Toronto, ON) 6,10
Eugene O'Reilly (Crossakiel, CO. MEATH) d. Ryan Elliott (Fort Erie, ON) 7,6
Final: Eugene O'reilly (Kells, CO. MEATH) d. Peter Flanagan (Kells, CO. MEATH) 18,12




Men’s C Doubles Quarters: Colin Pumphrey / Peter Walsh (St. John's, NL/St. Johns, NL) d. Daryl Wiebe / Dylan Copeland (Winnipeg, MB/Winnipeg, MB) WBF - Injury,19
Bernard Pelissier / Etienne Pelissier (Montreal, QC/Montreal, QC) d. Ryan Elliott / NOTENTERED (Fort Erie, ON/) WBF - No Show
Mike O'donnell / Shawn O'donnell (Toronto, ON/Toronto, ON) d. Don Cramp / Kris Graves (Little Britain, ON/Oshawa, ON) 12,15
Semis: Eugene O Reilly / Peter Flanagan (Crossakiel, Co. Meath/Kells, Co. Meath) d. Mike O'donnell / Shawn O'donnell (Toronto, ON/Toronto, ON) 5,6
Bernard Pelissier / Etienne Pelissier (Montreal, QC/Montreal, QC) d. Colin Pumphrey / Peter Walsh (St. John's, NL/St. Johns, NL) (20),17,4
Third: Colin Pumphrey / Peter Walsh (St. John's, NL/St. Johns, NL) d. Mike O'donnell / Shawn O'donnell (Toronto, ON/Toronto, ON) 7,7
Final: Eugene O'Reilly / Peter Flanagan (Crossakiel, Co. Meath/Kells, Co. Meath) d. Bernard Pelissier / Etienne Pelissier (Montreal, QC/Montreal, QC) 9,6

Spring Newsletter Crossakiel Handball Club

http://crossakiel.handball.meath.gaa.ie/files/Spring%20Newsletter%20Crossakiel%20Handball%20Club.PDF

Wexford stand in the way of historic win for Crossakiel's Eugene O'Reilly

Eugene O'Reilly & Peter Flanagan face tough battle in Leinster Final


Leinster 40 x 20 championships finals : Thursday March 11th in Ballymore Eustace (Co. Kildare) at 8 p.m.

Junior B doubles: Eugene O’Reilly & Peter Flanagan (Meath) v Paul Lambert & Peter Hughes (Wexford)

Flanagan & O’Reilly to take Leinster title

Meath’s Junior B doubles pairing of Eugene O’Reilly & Peter Flanagan go in search of their 1st Leinster doubles title when they take on hot favourites Paul Lambert & Peter Hughes from Wexford. Wexford’s danger man is Paul Lambert. The slaneysider played with Wexford’s senior player Gavin Buggy as they beat the All-Ireland senior champions of 2005 in Dublin’s Eoin Kenndy & Egin Jensen in the Leinster senior grade 3 weeks ago.

Meath tasted defeat in last years final and will be all the more determined to put matters right this time. Meath have played impressively in the qualifying games to the final. Their toughest game to date has been the quarter final against Paul Clifford & Sean Quigley from Kilkenny. Flanagan & O’Reilly quickly found themselves 18-9 behind in game 1 but staged a remarkable recovery to stun the Kilkenny men and stormed to an 21-18 win in game 1. In the second was equally exciting before Meath took the initiative and came away with a close win in game 2 by 21-17. Preparations have gone well since the semi-final and O’ Reilly is anticipating a great final “Myself and Peter are looking forward to the final and we will give it our best shot.”

Flanagan & O’Reilly have great understanding in the handball court and their great team spirit has carried them through some testing encounters. They will have to produce something like their best form if they are to become champions. Flanagan & O’Reilly will relish the opportunity of taking down the favourites and the big guns. Crossakiel club man O’Reilly is attempting to create a little bit of club history by becoming the 1st player from the club to win an adult Leinster handball title. A large group of supporters from Kells & Crossakiel is expected to travel to the Kildare venue in what should be an amazing tussle between 2 very committed sides. Meath will be hoping for a good start and if they can maintain that throughout and also keep danger man Lambert quiet have an excellent chance of victory.

Path to the Leinster handball 40 X 20 doubles final

Round 1 Eugene O'Reilly &Peter Flanagan (Meath) dft Mick Donovan & Ronan Greene (Wexford) 21-8, 21-10.

Round 2: Eugene O’Reilly & Peter Flanagan (Meath) dft Daniel Reilly & Ken Ginty (Dublin) 21-11, 21-11

Quarter-final : Eugene O'Reilly & Peter Flanagan (Meath) dft Paul Clifford & Sean Quigley (Kilkenny) 21-18, 21-17.

Semi-final Eugene O’Reilly & Peter Flanagan (Meath) dft Brendan & Diarmuid Burke (Kilkenny) 21-14, 21-10

Meath's Junior B doubles reach Leinster Final

Leinster semi-final report


Flanagan & O'Reilly return to Leinster final stage

The Crossakiel/Kells partnership of Eugene O’Reilly and Peter Flanagan have reached the Leinster final for the second year in a row after a commanding win over brothers Brendan and Diarmuid Burke from the Kells club in Kilkenny.

The first game started off at frantic pace, with both teams determined to get the early points on the board. When things settled down the Meath men began to take control and picked off their scores to build up an early lead, going 8-4 up. The Kilkenny partnership rallied and reeled off aces at will to go 12-8 up, showing that their first appearance at this stage of the Leinster championships was fully merited.

Flanagan called a strategic timeout at this point and on the resumption Meath upped a gear and regained control of the match, with some good kill shots from both O’Reilly and Flanagan to surge ahead once more. Meath were now leading 18-12. Kilkenny only managed 2 more points, before Meath closed out the first game 21-14.

It was Kilkenny who were first out of the blocks as they opened up Meath to lead 6-0 early in the second. game. Again, Meath called for a timeout to break the run and this ploy again worked well with Meath regaining serve on the re start. Flanagan’s serving was paying dividends, helping to tie up the scores 6-6. O’Reilly switched his serve at this point and almost immediately Kilkenny struggled. This allowed both Flanagan and O’Reilly to pick off some excellent rally winning kills with comfort. Meath took a firm grip on proceedings and eventually ran out worthy winners by 21-10.

Eugene & Peter reach semi-finals

O'Reilly & Flanagan reach semi-finals

Hard fought win for Meath

Leinster 40x20 Championship
Junior B Doubles Quarter-Finals
Wednesday 10th February, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare

Peter Flanagan/Eugene O'Reilly (Meath) dft Paul Clifford/Sean Quigley (Kilkenny) 21-18, 21-17.

The Meath pair were back at the Kildare venue on Wednesday last to face Paul Clifford and Sean Quigley from the St. Cannice’s Club in Kilkenny city. The Meath pair got of to a disastrous start as Kilkenny raced into a big 18-9 lead. Despite this set back the Meath pair dug deep and worked hard for each other and began to eat into the Cats big lead. Flanagan's excellent serving helped to pin back the Kilkenny onslaught and Reilly was on hand in with a number of great picks to keep the royals in contention. Meath amazingly against all the odds roared back into the game when the game seemed lost only minutes earlier. Flanagan's & O'Reilly excellent teamwork was the real difference between 2 very good sides giving it everything for the win. Meath were grateful to take game 1 by 21-18.

The Meath duo kept the pressure on Kilkenny in game 2 and they in turn raced into an 17-7 lead and looked well on course for outright victory. Kilkenny were not yet finished and they staged quite a remarkable recovery levelling at 17-17. It was game on again. Flanagan & O'Reilly re grouped and with 1 last major effort they broke the heart out of Kilkenny's brave comeback. The Crossakiel/Kells combination managed to get over the finishing line on a score line of 21-17. The Royals now march into the sem-finals.There is still work to be done but the duo will have been pleased with their latest performance especially after a very shaky opening and they way they fought back magnificently. Their supporters will now look forward to the semi's with a good deal of confidence.