County Championship Update
2015 COUNTY 40×20 CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE
Gavin Buggy, St. Josephs remained on course to retain his 40×20 senior singles title when he comfortably saw off the challenge of Coolgreaney opponent Darren O’Toole, in the semi final played at St. Josephs Handball Centre on Monday. O’Toole opened brightly to lead 10-1 but when Buggy got going he quickly reeled him in before going on to win by a facile 21-10, 21-0. He now meets either 60×30 king Tommy Hynes, St. Mary’s or club mate Paul Lambert, St. Josephs who clash tonight at St. Josephs in the second semi final.
Galen Riordan, Ballyhogue was made to fight hard for his junior singles final place at St. Josephs on Sunday, as Barry McWilliams, Horeswood pushed him all the way to a deciding third game. The unorthodox McWilliams took the first 21-18 and for a long time in the second he seemed to have what it took to win. Riordan however then got on top just in time to take the second 21-17 and from there on he held a slight edge all the way to the finish line which he reached 21-13 in front. Darren O’Toole, Coolgreaney and Malachy Whelan, Castlebridge, who teamed up to win the All Ireland 60×30 junior doubles title a few months ago, clash in the other semi final on 22nd December.
Marguerite Gore, St. Mary’s again proved herself to be one of Wexford’s best women players for many years when she comfortably saw off the challenge of young St. Josephs player Cora Doyle in the junior singles semi final at St. Josephs on Monday last. The up and coming Doyle was expected to pose a serious challenge to the experienced Gore but it did not work out like that at all as the favourite came home 21-8, 21-12 in front. St. Mary’s clubmate Holly Hynes takes on her All Ireland under 16 doubles winning partner Roisin Walsh, St. Josephs in the second semi final tonight.
There was little brotherly love on offer at St. Martins last night when siblings James and David Stanners clashed in the county 35 & over semi final at the GAA clubhouse. Both are recent acquisitions to the sport but each comes with a competitive streak that makes them difficult to beat. On this occasion it was the more experienced James who qualified for the final on a scoreline of 21-10, 21-13. He will meet either Paddy Cheevers, Horeswood or John Murphy, Kilmyshall who meet in the second semi final on Friday next at Bree.
Two players who desperately wanted to win provided a cracking masters B semi final at Piercestown last night and when the last ball was hit it was David Redmond, Templeudigan who had continued his recent brilliant form to see of the challenge of championship favourite Barry McWilliams, Horeswood 21-17, 13-21, 21-19. It was a contest to savour and with both players in the same grade in Leinster it may not be the last they see of each other. Bob Byrne, Bridgetown and Damien Kelly, Coolgreaney meet in the second semi final at Piercestown on Saturday.