sport
Gaelic handball
📍 Clough-Balacolla, Co Laois; Kingscourt, County Cavan; Galway; Mullingar; Annaghdown; Clann Éireann
Ben Devlin claims maiden Irish Wallball title
Ben Devlin secured his first major Open title at the Irish Wallball Senior Singles finals, showcasing impressive form ahead of the World Championships. Meanwhile, Martina McMahon maintained her dominance with a tight win in the ladies’ final in Clough-Balacolla, Co Laois.
Source:
GAA News
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⏱️ 2 min read
The Irish Wallball Senior Singles finals took place last Sunday in Clough-Balacolla, Co Laois, featuring a blend of established champions and rising talent.
In the men’s senior final, Ben Devlin from Cavan, originally from Louth and representing Kingscourt club, captured his first major Open title with a commanding performance. Devlin defeated Tyrone’s Sean Kerr 15-10, 15-5 after overcoming Team Ireland’s Fiachra Ó Dúill in the semi-finals. Reflecting on his victory, Devlin noted that playing without pressure allowed him to perform freely and deliver some of his best handball yet. He acknowledged past challenges against opponents such as Conor McElduff and Fiachra Ó Dúill but expressed confidence ahead of the upcoming World Wallball Championships in New York on 14 September.
In the ladies’ senior final, Limerick’s Martina McMahon extended her remarkable winning streak by narrowly defeating Westmeath’s Aoife McCarthy 15-14, 15-4. McMahon praised McCarthy’s exceptional serving during a closely contested first game. Both players had secured their places in the final by winning semi-final matches against Fiona Tully and Eilise McCrory respectively. McMahon, aiming to sustain her form, will partner with McCarthy for the Open Doubles at the World Championships. The event also saw thrilling finishes in the minor categories, with Galway’s Ella Sweeney and Armagh’s Cormac Walters clinching the ladies’ and men’s minor singles titles in tense tiebreakers.
In the men’s senior final, Ben Devlin from Cavan, originally from Louth and representing Kingscourt club, captured his first major Open title with a commanding performance. Devlin defeated Tyrone’s Sean Kerr 15-10, 15-5 after overcoming Team Ireland’s Fiachra Ó Dúill in the semi-finals. Reflecting on his victory, Devlin noted that playing without pressure allowed him to perform freely and deliver some of his best handball yet. He acknowledged past challenges against opponents such as Conor McElduff and Fiachra Ó Dúill but expressed confidence ahead of the upcoming World Wallball Championships in New York on 14 September.
In the ladies’ senior final, Limerick’s Martina McMahon extended her remarkable winning streak by narrowly defeating Westmeath’s Aoife McCarthy 15-14, 15-4. McMahon praised McCarthy’s exceptional serving during a closely contested first game. Both players had secured their places in the final by winning semi-final matches against Fiona Tully and Eilise McCrory respectively. McMahon, aiming to sustain her form, will partner with McCarthy for the Open Doubles at the World Championships. The event also saw thrilling finishes in the minor categories, with Galway’s Ella Sweeney and Armagh’s Cormac Walters clinching the ladies’ and men’s minor singles titles in tense tiebreakers.
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