Club member Laura Finn captured the Connacht Ladies Junior B SinglesSoftball Championship last week when she defeated Leitrim's Joanne Loganin two straight games at the Fenagh Handball court. Laura goes on to play the Munster championship which will hopefully be a home venue.
Veteran club member Francis McCann retained the Emerald Masters A Singles at Ballymote Court mid week when he defeated Jimmy Connaughton from the Willamstown club in Galway in two straight games.
He now goes on to play the Munster Champion John Herlihy from the St Finbars Club Cork in the All Ireland Semi Final in two weeks time.
Kevin Meehan travelled to St Coman's Handball court recently to play the over 35 B Singles but was defeated by local player Glen Walsh in two
straight games.
The Club stages the Michael Porter Memorial Cup next Sunday at the local court commencing 11 am.
The World Handball Championships were played recently at the
University Of Minnesota U.S.A. The official Irish Team came home
with a total of twenty two medals claimed by thirteen team members.
Hundreds of Irish Handballers from clubs all over the country traveled to
the U.S.A. to compete in the worlds in various grades from 13 years and under to 70 years and over.
The Men's Open was won by Cork's Killian Carroll now based in Boston
defeating our National Singles Champion Martin Mulkerins representing
Team Ireland. The Womens open won by Martina McMahon (Team Ireland) defeating Cork's Catriona Casey.
Ballymote player Laura Finn created a bit of handball history been the first
ever female club member to compete in a World Handball Championship
Laura competed in both One Wall and 40 x 20 Four Wall codes and played
a total nine matches over a few days.
In a gruelling quarter final match The 19 And Under Girls Singles One Wall
Laura was defeated by Sinead Meagher (Tipperary) 21 18 20 21 and 11 6
in the tie breaker.
In the Ladies B One Wall the NUIG student had a massive win in her quarter
Final when she defeated Emily Sanchez (California) 21 14 21 10.
In the semi final she defeated Aisling Mullen (Innismore) in a three game
encounter 21 16 16 21 and 11 3 in the tie breaker.
In the final Laura had to settle for silver medal when she was defeated by
Elisha McCrory (Tyrone) 21 10 21 17.
After the One Wall competitions were complete it was on to 4waLL 40X20.
In her first round match she defeated Avery Sheppard (Texas) 21 2 21 10
In the quarter final she went on to defeat the local girl Nicky Theobaid (Minnesota) 21 6 21 16 . In the semi final Laura had to retire injured after
loosing the first game 21 16 to Margaret Gore(Wexford)
The final grade for the Ballymote girl to compete in was The Ladies B Doubles. Despite carrying a injury into this match Laura teamed up with
Laura Mannion (St Coman's Roscommon).The Ballymote St Comans combination defeated Mairead and Collaise Ni Duil (Armagh) in the semi final 14 21 21 19 and 11 3 in the tie breaker.They went on to be defeated in the final and had to settle for silver by Michaela McCartin and Michelle
Warren (Tyrone) 21 10 21 18
Ballymote and Sligo Handball are very proud of the performance of Laura Finn at the World Handball Championship and hope the experience she has gained will give her further success in the future.