Congrats to Niall O'Connor

Leixlip’s Niall O'Connor achieved another milestone victory on Sunday when he defeated Wicklow's Keith Kavanagh to claim a second successive Minor Hardball Singles All-Ireland title at the Na Fianna court in Glasnevin. This notable success did not come easily though with the match going to a tie-breaker third game before O'Connor could confirm his all-round superiority to come through. An impressive opening which saw him take the first game on a comfortable 21-13 scoreline was followed by a determined response from a resurgent Kavanagh who levelled matters by taking the second 21-14. Following a closely-fought opening to the deciding game, a refocused O'Connor began to dominate and with some exquisite killing and a greater variety of serve he moved steadily ahead to close the game and the match on a score of 21-9.
Hopes of a Kildare double on the day were unfortunately not realised when Ballymore's Mickey Dowling lost out to Meath's Tom Sheridan in the Masters Singles final. Dowling put in an excellent performance in the first game and seemed on the verge of taking the game when a few crucial rallies went against him to allow Sheridan to squeeze through on a 21-18 scoreline. The vastly experienced Sheridan upped his game considerably in the second and his powerful left-handed shooting was too much for the Ballymore man with the game closing on an emphatic 21-1 score.


GAA Handball All Ireland HARDBALL Minor Singles Championship Final: Sunday 12th June 2011:
Kildare (Niall O'Connor) dft. Wicklow (Keith Kavanagh) 21-13; 14-21; 21-9

GAA Handball All Ireland HARDBALL Masters Singles Championship Final:
Meath (Tom Sheridan) dft. Kildare(Michael Dowling) 21- 18; 21-1