Ulster 60x30 roundupThis year, dispite the closest court to
Down being in kingscourt county Cavan, Down handballers weren't put off by the
thought of travel as they fought their way to 3 seperate Ulster finals, with
Downpatrick pair Ciaran cunningham and tom savage setting another record by
winning the junior doubles title.
In the 1st of the finals (JB Singles) Rostrevors Sean McNally lost out to
tyrones Barney Corcoran in a three game thriller which saw the rostrevor man
take the 1st game easily before corcoran fighting back to take the 2nd 21-16
and then the third 21-11. The following week the two would meet again this
time with Mcnally teaming up with Clonduff's paul shields however the team of
Corcoran and young star Padraig McGlinchy were too strong on the night and won
21-16, 21-6
Then on to the junior singles semi final on tuesday night When Tom Savage
of Downpatrick faced of against Armaghs James Doyle. Dispite Savages best
attempts Doyle, a expert in the big alley was just too good winning to a
scoreline of 21-16, 21-6. The very next night however tom was back in action
with downpatrick team mate ciaran cunningham when they faced off against
Cavans Neville Carollin and Eddie Halagan. A great start by the Down men saw
them race to a massive 15-2 lead before the cavan pair responded but could
only manage 5 more points as the downpatrick duo closed out the game 21-7. In
the second it was the cavan pair who took an early lead with savage and
cunningham playing catch up all the way to 11 each before taking the lead
thanks to a spectacular rollout by cunningham from 50 feet. However the cavan
pair fough back to take the lead 19-13 before the down men went on shooting
spree to level the match at 19 each before leting the cavan pair back in. With
the score at 20-19 in cavans favour some exceptional acrobatic retreives by
savage and great passing shots by cunningham gave the down men the sevre and
the chance to close out the match which they duely did to a score of 21-20.
This is the pairs 2nd Ulster title together and brings the total number of
titles held by Tom and Ciaran to 6 and 3 respectively. Next its on to the
Kilkenny pair of Timmy and Michael Clifford in the All Ireland Semi.