Josh Kavanagh wins GAA Handball Irish Nationals Boys U15&U Singles Title and secures place on Team Ireland for World Championships in Minnesota

Josh Kavanagh (St.Josephs) became only the second Wexford player ever after his brother Daniel to have the distinction of lining out for his country on Team Ireland in the upcoming World Handball Championships in Minnesota this coming August. After losing the GAA Handball 40X20 All Ireland U-16 Singles Final to his Monaghan opponent he bounced back in spectacular fashion to beat off all opposition in the GAA Handball Irish Nationals Boys 15&U Singles at the recent Irish Nationals/Junior World Trials in Kingscourt.

Josh had victories against Galway and Cork opponents on the Saturday before dispatching All Ireland Boys U-14 Singles Winner Mikey Kelly (Abbeyknockmoy, Galway) 15-12, 15-3 in his semi-final on Sunday morning. Amazingly this saw him square up against fellow Wexford boy and his training partner Mark Doyle (Taghmon) who had a series of brilliant displays himself to chart his way to the Final in the bottom half of the draw. The opening exchanges went Josh’s way as he took a commanding early lead before Mark closed it right back to 12-10 and it was getting very tense at that stage. Josh, however, managed to secure the winning points to take the first game 15-12 and Mark, with the exertions of his semi-final beginning to tell, had no more to give in the second game and lost out 15-5. A wonderful achievement to have two very fine players in an Irish Nationals Final and on this occasion the spoils to Josh Kavanagh and a coveted place on Team Ireland for Minnesota 2018.

Jodie Keeling (St.Josephs) lost the Girls 13&U Final to Emma Kinane (Galway) 15-5, 15-10. Bobby Doyle (Taghmon) won the Boys 13&U Plate while Cora Doyle (St.Josephs) beat Ella Donnellan (Kilkishen, Clare) in the Girls 19&U Plate. Adam Walsh (St.Josephs) lost to Patrick Murphy (Claremorris, Mayo) in the Boys 19&U Plate Final. Well done to everybody who took part.