Eugene O'Reilly off to U.S. Open of Handball

Crossakiel's Eugene O' Reilly


Eugene O' Reilly to take part in U.S. Open of Handball.


Club Coach Eugene O' Reilly is heading out to California to take part in the U.S. Open of Handball Tournament sponsored by Simply Green. The event runs from Thursday 20th October - Sunday 23rd, It takes place in Los Calalleros - Fountain Valley. There is 19 grades together with a pro-stop where the top players in the world will be attending. Eugene, having won the Men's C singles final 3 years ago moves up to the B singles which has 8 entrants along with doubles partner Peter Flanagan from Kells who is also making the long journey out. Eugene has been training for the past number of weeks and is sure to give a very good account of himself. We wish Eugene, Peter, Brian Carroll and all the Irish players the best of luck in sunny California.

McDermott Cup win for Ciaran Neary & Peter Hughes

Ciaran Neary & Peter Hughes McDermott Cup winners for 2011

Leitrim's Jamie Murray & Martin Raftery gallant runners up in McDermott Cup final

Peter Reilly & Joe Cummins plate winners

Leitrim's Eddie Lee & Donal Wyrnn plate runners-up

Jamie Murray, Martin Raftery, Eddie Lee & Donal Wrynn all Leitrim Cup and plate runners-up in McDermott Cup 2011


Neary & Hughes clinch McDermott Cup in Crossakiel


Ciaran Neary & Peter Hughes overcame the brave challenge of Leitrim’s Jamie Murray & Martin Raftery to win a captivating McDermott Cup final, writes Michael McGee

The Crossakiel Club brought down the calendar on a memorable 60 x 30 season. Kilkenny’s Ciaran Neary & Peter Hughes Wexford teamed up to win the 2nd Annual McDermott Cup doubles competition for Junior/Masters players on Sunday 9th October last. Teams from Leitrim, Galway, Kilkenny, Wexford, Kerry, Louth and Meath took part. Dan Riordan made the longest journey to the Meath venue when travelling all the way from Kerry to the tournament.

The Juvenile tournament took place the previous day and resulted in wins for Leah Doyle in the Girls U-12 round robin. Conor Farrell & Donal Farrelly were victorious in the Boys U-12 doubles while Christopher Clinton & Peter Smith took home the Boys U14 doubles trophies.

Sunday’s action got underway at 10 am in the Crossakiel & Kells courts. Leitrim’s Jamie Murray & Martin Raftery had an early start and was first into action against local pairing Pat McCabe & Richard Farrell. They eased their way into the quarter final with an effortless display. Leitrim’s 2nd paring of Eddie Lee & Donal Wrynn were in action in Kells at the same time. Unfortunately for the Connacht men they had to settle for second on this occasion against the formidable Anthony McConnell & Jimmy Reilly from the Kells Club. Back in Crossakiel Steven Quinn & Mark Farrell were expected to do well against Evan Sheridan & Robert Fox. Sheridan just 15 years of age the previous day won the Junior Colleges All-Ireland singles final in front of the large home support in Kells. Son of the legendary Tom Sheridan the talented Kells teenager is quickly following in his famous father’s footsteps. Robert Fox & John McGovern made it a doubles for Kells in the Junior Doubles final. Sheridan’s display against Quinn & Farrell was very impressive. Along with Fox they shocked the Crossakiel duo winning by 31-27. Ciaran Neary & Peter Hughes defeated last year’s runners up in Christy McGovern & John “Boy” Molloy Kells on a score line of 31-21. Dan Riordan partnered local player Cyril Fitzsimons to beat John & Vinny Farrell. The 1st quarter final proved very close with Jamie Murray & Martin Raftery just holding on against Peter Reilly & Joe Cummins from Kells. Jimmy Reilly & Anthony McConnell beat Galway’s Pat Conway & Declan Connaughton 31-21. Evan Sheridan & Robert Fox outclassed Dan Riordan & Chris Fitzsimons in straight games. However their great run ended at the hands of Murray & Raftery at the semi-final stage. Ciaran Neary & Peter Hughes had a surprisingly comfortable win over Jimmy Reilly & Anthony McConnell in the second semi final. In the plate final Leitrim’s Eddie Lee & Donal Wrynn took on Kells men Peter Reilly & Joe Cummins. The Meath men took an 11-3 lead and were cruising at this stage. However 17 y.o. Donal Wrynn playing on the right and the left handed Eddie Lee fought back in accomplished fashion drawing level at 11 and again at 12. Leitrim then surged well clear to take game 1 by 21-12. The second game was thoroughly enjoyable with both teams level on 4 occasions at 12,13,16 & 18. Reilly this year’s Intermediate doubles runner up using all his experience got important winners to Lee’s left side with some rasping passing shots. Wrynn gave a wonderful display throughout. The Leitrim minor footballer displaying high octane levels as he covered every inch of the Crossakiel court. Despite this the Kells men took game 2 by 21-18. In the tie breaker Reilly & Cummins broke the Leitrim pair’s resolve when striding to a 21-5 win. Just before the McDermott Cup the final of the U17 doubles took place James Baugh & John McGovern were successful wining in 2 games over John Reilly & Ricky McDermott.

Neary & Hughes hold off a determined Leitrim fightback

In the final of the McDermott Cup Ciaran Neary & Peter Hughes faced Leitrim’s Jamie Murray & Martin Raftery who recently won the All-Ireland Junior B doubles title. Neary the natural left handed player was outstanding and with Hughes playing solidly on the right they tore Leitrim apart winning by 21-7 in the opening game. Murray & Raftery battled hardened from their successful doubles campaign threw down the gauntlet in the second and brought the fight to Neary & Hughes. Raftery the “ Ray Houghton” in stature played with spirited passion and Murray a man mountain on the right determined, mixing drive with a gutsy performance. The Leitrim lions roared back into contention no corner was given or asked as both teams worked hard. In a battling contest both teams were level at 8,13 & 15. Raftery played superbly on the left and on many occasions went over to help out the overworked Murray on the right. In an absorbing 2nd game Leitrim had the strength to hold off a dogged fight back from the Kilkenny/Wexford duo to win by 21-17. In the tie breaker Leitrim went into an 6-2 lead. Neary as cool as they come, from the famous Talbot’s Inch Club stamped his authority on the game when drawing the teams level at 10-10. He was deadly accurate close to the front wall time and time again rolled out winners in the left corner. Raftery was full of running and he expelled every ounce of energy to keep the Leitrim men in it. Murray was put under pressure with Hughes pinning him in the right corner with accurate winners on a number of occasions. Luck finally ran out on the Leitrim men with the inspired Neary and Hughes putting points on the board. There was nothing that Murray & Raftery could do to stop them. The tide turned in Neary’s & Hughes favour before pressing on to win a memorable final by 21-11.

The Presentations took place soon after and club chairman Steven Quinn thanked the support of the Committee and players & Kells Handball Club. Fergal McCabe was also thanked for the refreshments for the Juveniles. Fenian Reilly for his sponsorship and to Jacquie, Valerie & Lisa Quinn for providing the food and refreshments on the day. Neary’s & Hughes success in Crossakiel was a fitting end to a excellent year in the 60 x 30 courts.

McDermott Cup final: Ciaran Neary & Peter Hughes Kilkenny/Wexford) dft Jamie Murray & Martin Raftery (Leitrim) 21-7, 17-21, 21-11

Plate final: Peter Reilly & Joe Cummins (Meath) dft Eddie Lee & Donal Wrynn (Leitrim) 21-12, 19-21, 21-5

All-Ireland Colleges 60 x 30 finals come to Crossakiel

McDermott Cup


It will be a very busy weekend for club officials with the announcement that the All-Ireland Colleges 60 x 30 finals will take place in the club on Saturday morning. And just 24 hours later the Club's McDermott Cup 60 x 30 doubles tournament for Junior/Masters players will take place. The playing court is one of the premier 60 x 30 courts in the country and last hosted All-Ireland senior hardball final back in the late 1990's. A lot of work has taken place to bring the court up to standard in the last 18 months and it is hoped that many more All-Ireland 60 x 30 finals will be played in our club.

The Draws for the 2011 McDermott Cup will take place on Wednesday evening and will appear on the website on Thursday. Games will take place on Sunday morning at 10 am in Kells and Crossakiel. Finals will take place in Crossakiel. It is expected that 16 teams from all over the county will take part. Preparations have been going well and officials have been busy to make sure the tournament will prove to be an even greater success than last year.

Saturday 8th October 2011, in Crossakiel, Meath, 11.30am:

Girls Junior Doubles:
SF1: Glenamaddy CS (Mary Fahy, Elaine Mitchell) v Dean Maguire, Carrickmore (Aoife Kelly, Eilise McCrory)
SF2: Rice College, Ennis, Clare (Natasha Coughlan, Michelle Nihill) v Castlecomer CS or Col Chiarain, Leixlip or Borris VS

Boys Intermediate Doubles:
SF1: Glenamaddy CS (Enda Connelly, Jason Ryan) v Dean Maguirc College, Carrickmore (Gabhan McCrystal, Patrick McCrory)
SF2: St. Josephs College Tulla, Clare (Colin Corbett, Niall Bolton) v St. Kieran’s College or Good Counsel or St. Peter’s Wexford

Boys Intermediate Singles:
SF1: Glenamaddy CS (Cathal Connelly) v St. Paul’s, Bessbrook (Conall McCavitt)
SF2: John the Baptist Community School Hospital, Limerick (Padraig Quish) v Col Eamann Ris Callan or St. Mary’s Enniscorthy or St. Peter’s Wexford

FINAL Girls Junior Doubles
FINAL Boys Intermediate Doubles
FINAL Boys Intermediate Singles

No Joy for last remaining Crossakiel players in Leinster championships

Leinster Championships 60 x 30

No Joy for last remaining Crossakiel players in Leinster championships


Junior B doubles: Mark Farrell & Michael Gaynor (Meath) lost to David Kenny & Diarmuid Smyth (Wexford) 11-21, 8-21.
Crossakiel's last remaining hope in this year's Leinster 60 x 30 championships evaporated in Castlebridge Co Wexford today when Mark Farrell & Michael Gaynor were beaten by a stronger pairing of David Kenny & Diarmuid Smyth.


And in the Juvenile championships in Crinkle today Meath's Cormac Gilsenan & Conor Rice from Crossakiel were well beaten by Kilkenny's Brian Mahon & Eamon Landy.

Blue evening for Crossakiel players in Meath colours this evening in Crossakiel

Gary Reilly & James Baugh fell to Dublin's Cian O'Dalaigh & Corey Fay

Rebecca Shields & Emily Sheridan Fox Meath great comeback not enough to down the Dubs



“Blue evening” for Crossakiel players in Leinster championships


There was no success for Crossakiel players in the Meath colours as both teams faced strong Dublin opposition in the Leinster Juvenile A 60 x 30 championships played this evening in Crossakiel. Crossakiel’s Rebecca Shields making her debut partnered Emily Sheridan Fox in the Girls U12 doubles but lost out to Niamh Rock & Niamh Gleeson from the capital. The girls were over run in game one but amazingly were in front 12-11 in game 2 before Dublin got the last 4 winning scores to put an end to the Meath girls great comeback.

The U17 doubles pair of James Baugh & Gary Reilly were easily brushed aside by Dublin’s Cian O’Dalaigh & Corey Fay. Johnny Reilly & Gary Reilly were defeated by the Dublin duo in this year’s Leinster U-17 doubles 40 x 20 final. It was expected that Baugh & Reilly would put it up to the Sky Blues in the big court but disappointedly it never materialized. Fay & O’Dalaigh ran out comfortable winners in the end. So it is back to the drawing board for the young Crossakiel players. Club Coach Eugene O’ Reilly has plenty of work to do to get the players prepared for an assault in the Leinster B championships.

GU12 Rebecca Shields/Emily Sheridan-Fox) lost to Niamh Rock/Niamh Gleeson 1-15, 12-15


U17D James Baugh/Gary Reilly lost to Cian O’Dalaigh / Corey Fay (D) 1-21, 6-21

U17 S: Johnny Reilly (Meath) conceded walkover to Stephen Dwyer (Kk)

Leinster Championshps 60 x 30

Junior B singles: Eugene O' Reilly (Meath) beaten by David Kenny (Wexford) 17-21, 4-21

Eugene O' Reilly Leinster campaign is over for another year

Hoping for better luck in 2012. Crossakiel's & Meath player Eugene O' Reilly


Crossakiel's Eugene O'Reilly involvement in this year 60 x 30 championships is over for another year at least following a straight sets loss to Wexford's David Kenny in Arklow last evening. Despite a very even 1st game the Wexford man took control in the latter stages of game 1, and took a firm grip on proceedings for the remainder of the match. Crossakiel's doubles pairing of Mark Farrell & Michael Gaynor have the chance to avenge Eugene's defeat, as they taken on Kenny and Diarmuid Smyth in a re fixed Junior B doubles clash in Castlebridge, Wexford on Saturday.

Six Crossakiel players on Royal duty

Eoghan McCabe & James Harrington represented Meath in Leinster 60 x 30 Juvenile championships at the weekend.

Leinster Juvenile 60 x 30 championships
Saturday July 23rd in Crinkle at 11 am
Meath v Dublin / Kilkenny
GU12D Rebecca Shields /Emily Sheridan-Fox (M) v Niamh Rock / Niamh Gleeson (D)
U16D Conor Rice / Cormac Gilsenan (M) v T Ronan / S Caverley (D) OR B Mahon / E Landy (Kk)
U17S. Johnny Reilly (Meath ) v Thomas Hoban (D) OR Stephen O’Dwyer (Kk)
U17D. James Baugh/Gary Reilly (Meath) v Cian O’Dalaigh / Corey Fay (D)

Leinster championships 60 x 30 results
Eoin McCabe & James Harrington (Meath) lost to Conor Smyth & Dylan Quegan (Offaly) 15-14.
Six Crossakiel players on Royal duty


Crossakiel’s will have 6 players representing Meath in the Leinster Juvenile 60 x 30 championships on Saturday next in Crinkle. It will be a proud day for Rebecca Shields as she makes here competitive debut in the Meath colours when partnering Emily Sheridan-Fox in the U-12 doubles. Conor Rice & Cormac Gilsenan U-16 doubles, Johnny Reilly U-17 singles and James Baugh & Gary Reilly all are on duty at the Offaly venue. Cormac Gilsenan & Conor Rice took part in the recent Irish 60 x 30 Nationals at U-17 level. Another Crossakiel pairing of James Baugh & Gary Reilly reached the U-17 plate final. Johnny Reilly & Gary Reilly lost the Leinster U-17 doubles 40 x 20 final to Saturday’s opponents in Dublin’s Cian O’Dalaigh & Corey Fay. Reilly teams up with James Baugh this time round and the duo will be hoping to reach the Provincial final. The Leinster final is penned in for Saturday 20th August.