Tanya O'Toole and Una Byrne are champions of Leinster again
Written by Antóin Ó Braoin, Rúnaí Contae
The brilliant Tanya O’Toole and Una Byrne ensured that Wexford ended the provincial campaign on yet another high when they produced a
terrific performance to defeat Sabrina Hughes and Lisa McKenna, Dublin in the women’s Junior Doubles final played at Arklow this evening. With the success of the men happening on an almost daily for the past few weeks basis it was time for the women to deliver and this they did in style at the Wicklow venue with a comfortable 21-10, 21-11 success.
It was a victory fashioned on hard work and determination as the Dublin girls were well capable of upsetting the odds and indeed led 11-7 in the second game after being well beaten in the opening game. Una Byrne then produced two fantastic winning shots to get the Dublin girls ‘out’ and from there to the finish Tanya O’Toole rowed in with a series of well placed serves to seal the victory.
The Wexford girls will now hope for better luck in the All Ireland series than was their lot in the 40×20 when after also winning the Leinster championship illness intervened and prevented them from playing their All Ireland final.
The girls are members of Coolgreany Handball Club in north Wexford from where a plethora of title winning girls have emerged over the years. Tanya is a sister of Darren who has, coincidently, also qualified for the All Ireland junior doubles semi final in the men’s grade.
Long serving Club Secretary Patsy Murray is delighted with the success of the girls in particular and hopes they can make up for their disappointment in the 40×20 “they played well today and if they keep serving well they have every chance” he said.