Multiple national titles for Meath handballers

Kells duo Gary McConnell and Brian Carroll re-affirmed their position as the leading doubles pair in the softball code as they picked up a fifth All-Ireland Senior Softball Doubles title, and a third in succession, at the National Handball Centre, Croke Park on Saturday, writes Paul Fitzpatrick.

In defeating Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy and Colm Jordan in straight games, the Royals continued the county’s stellar record in this grade. Right-side player Carroll previously won seven Senior Double Doubles medals in tandem with Tom Sheridan and showed no signs of slowing down on Saturday.

Indeed, it was Carroll’s nerveless killing in the first game which provided the foundation on which Meath built their win. The exchanges were tight in the first with McCarthy, a peerless singles player in the ‘big alley’, in dominant form, covering much of the court as the towering Jordan hogged the short-line and cut off the space, holding his position.

Ordinarily, such a scenario is tricky for right-side players in particular but such is Carroll’s experience and nous that he was unfazed and a succession of flat kills off both hands as Meath built up a commanding 16-5 lead.

However, with McCarthy finding his range, Westmeath came storming back before Meath closed it out 21-13 when an innocuous-looking Carroll return eluded the Westmeath men.

By then, McConnell had got hot and in the second, he killed some great ball. The hard-hitting left-side player, who won the Irish Softball Nationals recently and will feel he is primed for an assault on the Senior Singles Championship currently held by McCarthy, combined power with some beautiful touches in the front court as Meath wrapped it up, 21-15.

The final shot fell to McConnell, who produced a flat kill in front court after a furious rally."Every day you come up to Croke Park and you win is a great day,” commented McConnell.

“We knew we’d be up against it with Robbie and Colm today. We had a game plan and at times it worked. You don't know what Robbie is going to do but we stuck to our plan and didn’t panic when the pressure came on. I thought we did well in both games when the lads came at us, so look, I’m just delighted to get the win today, that’s what we came up for.”

The pair complement each other’s styles very well in the court and McConnell paid tribute to his partner.

“I didn’t do too much - Brian was doing all the running!” he joked.

“I was delighted from day one when Tom (Sheridan) retired. All I ever wanted was one senior medal, so to get a few with Brian is amazing. He makes the game look so easy, he does all the grafting on the right.”Carroll took a slightly different view.

“I don’t think myself and Gary make any game look easy. Even if we’re in control, we make it look difficult in my opinion. But we stuck with it, we didn’t panic,” he said.

“The lads are a serious combination. Robbie McCarthy is probably the greatest handballer I’ve played against or seen, and Colm is doing a steady job. For us to get over the line is great.

“It’s unbelievable, the support we get from Kells. We really appreciate everyone coming up. When we’re in playing and we hear the roar, it really drives us, so thanks very much to everyone."

Meath handballers enjoyed a superb day of success in Mullingar on Sunday, claiming two All-Ireland titles in the Golden Masters Doubles and Emerald Masters Doubles grades.In the Golden Masters final, Tom and Michael Sheridan produced a dominant display to defeat Roscommon with a convincing scoreline of 21-8, 21-9. The Sheridan brothers showcased their trademark skill and control, never allowing their opponents a foothold in the match. Following that, Christy McGovern and Joe Lynch lined out in the Emerald Masters Doubles Final, where they also delivered a composed and clinical performance to see off the challenge of Sligo in two straight games. Both Meath pairings earned their place in Sunday’s finals after progressing through tough Leinster campaigns and then defeating Munster opposition in last weekend’s All-Ireland semi-finals. These masters victories add to the senior success on Saturday madeit a truly memorable weekend for the Royal County, with three national titles secured.