Third time lucky for Kells handballers
It was a case of third time lucky for Meath handballers Christy McGovern and Joe Lynch both from the Kells club were victorious in their Leinster Master's B Doubles final against Wexford's Ricky Barron and Damien Kelly in Arklow. The Royal County pair had a convincing win in straight games emerging 21-18, 21-9 victors. They will now face Sligo's Michael McGee and Martin Cooney on Saturday, 28th August in the All-Ireland semi-final. Kells handballer Brian Carroll had mixed fortunes when he took part in the All-Ireland 60 x 30 Open singles tournament last week. On Tuesday evening of last week Carroll recorded a convincing 21-11, 21-18 victory over Cork man Colm Jordan. He then advanced to take on Wexford's Gavin Buggy in Thurles on Saturday, but on that occasion it was Carroll who was narrowly edged out on a 12-21, 17-21 scoreline. Meath's Tom Sheridan received a walkover from Kerry's Dominic Lynch and will now go on to face number one seed Eoin Kennedy in the quarter-final on Saturday. Sheridan and Carroll remain in the hunt for the doubles title also as they take on Limerick pairing Seamus O'Carroll and CJ Fitzpatrick in two weeks time in Williamstown, Co Galway. The Kells combination of Jimmy Reilly and Pat McGovern represented Meath in the Leinster Golden Masters Doubles final on Wednesday night of last week. The pair put on a great display of handball only to lose out to a better Kilkenny side of Joe Hennessy and Johnny Brennan on the night, taking the first game 21-18, but losing the second 17-21 and suffering an 18-21 defeat in the tie break. Meath's Peter Flanagan and Eugene O'Reilly also suffered a loss in their first 60 x 30 Leinster Junior B Doubles final at the hands of Wexford's Peter Hughes and Noel Holohan on Thursday. The pair who lost out at the same stage of the 40 x 20 Championships the last two years were hoping to make amends this time round but it was not to be. Wexford duo were first on the scoreboard going 4-0 up before the Meath combination edged 5-4 in front. Eventually Hughes and Holohan closed out the game on a 21-16 scoreline. There was mixed results for the Meath juveniles on Saturday. Danny Dunne lost out to Wexford's Thomas Hall 15-11, 15-5 in the u-12 singles competition. Jonathan McGovern was beaten by Wexford's Oisin Foley 15-2, 15-13 in the u-13 singles while Robert Fox and Evan Sheridan won the u-14 doubles 15-11, 15-3 overcoming Wexford's Liam Shannon and Bryan Keogh. Colin McGovern and Cormac Gilsenan lost narrowly to Jack Roche and Stephen Greene of Wexford 15-8, 8-15, 14-15 in the u-15 doubles. Fox and Sheridan will play the Leinster u-14 doubles final next Saturday. Peter Smith and Daniel Farrelly will also be representing the county in the Leinster u-12 doubles decider on Saturday. Also in action next Saturday will be Lauren Farrelly as she takes on Wexford oppostion in the girls u-12 Leinster singles final in the Na Fianna venue, 11.0.