Ireland v South Africa – Review

Nov 10, 2014

Ireland’s first match of the Guinness Series was against South Africa on Saturday 8^th November.

Two sides, different stories

Both sides had contrasting positions coming into this match. The Springboks have had a long and gruelling year: the newly expanded Super Rugby season which now runs from February –  August, broken up with two tests versus Wales and one against Scotland in the June international window. Combine this with back-to-back games against the All Blacks, Wallabies and the Pumas in the Rugby Championship, not to mention the travel and South Africa were certainly battle hardened. In contrast this was Ireland’s first encounter of the year. Not only this, but Ireland would have to make do without the services of many senior players. Speaking of the Rugby Championship, South Africa’s form was patchy at best – two narrow victories against an ever improving Argentina (13-6 in round one in Pretoria and 33-31 in the return fixture a week later) and a loss and a win versus an Australian outfit that was dogged with off field controversies that seemed to never end! Throw in a defeat to the old enemy New Zealand and the Boks campaign was not what many would have hoped for. However, piping the world champions in the final round in Johannesburg meant the tournament ended on a high, as South Africa ended a drought going back to August 2011 when they last beat the men in Black.

 South Africa were unchanged from the side that beat the All Blacks last month

Three points of contact

The ruck, scrum and lineout were the three main areas that were sure to decide who came out on top. The Springboks are largely seen as the best in the business in both scrum and lineout departments and this was not lost on assistant coach Les Kiss prior to the match. “It’s still important to understand that they will go to the core part of their game,” acknowledged the Australian. “They will drive, they will run big forwards at you, their nines are savvy and canny players. They can shape that ruck area very nicely, so you’ve got to be aware of that.”  With this in mind, one of the key one-on-one battles was always going to be in the second row between Paul O’Connell and Springbok stalwart Victor Matfield. Matfield had complemented his opposite number in the week leading up to the game – “I think Paul O’Connell is a fantastic player, I have said it before, I think he is probably the best player I have played against in my career. He is also a student of the line-out, you can see he puts in a lot of hours analysing and preparing, getting his whole unit ready for the weekend. It is always tough going up against him.”

Ready, Set, GO!

New Era

It was always going to be intriguing to see Joe Schmidt’s team selection for a number of reasons. Firstly, the question that the world and his mother had an opinion on – ‘who would play at centre?’  . Although Brian O’Driscoll was not present on Ireland’s tour of Argentina last June, many see this campaign as the start of the post O’Driscoll era. The most experienced player – Gordon D’Arcy – seemed to be in most people’s starting XV. As to who would partner him – Connacht’s Robbie Henshaw and newly Irish eligible Jared Payne were the front runners for a starting birth, with Leinster’s Ian Madigan an outside bet. Further interest as to Joe Schmidt’s plans was his selections given the ever growing injury list. Rory Best was withdrawn from contention due to an ongoing calf strain and joined the long list of those unavailable – Cian Healy, Marty Moore, Sean O’Brien, Jordi Murphy, Andrew Trimble, Luke Fitzgerald (only just returning to Leinster), Dave Kearney, Luke Marshall and Fergus McFadden. Good news however did come as Jonny Sexton was given the green light after he had to come off early in a match for club side Racing Metro the previous weekend.  South Africa had injuries themselves, albeit not nearly as many as the home side. Ulster’s South African playmaker Ruan Pienaar was ruled out of the Boks entire tour as he failed to recover from a knee injury picked up against New Zealand in September, with Jano Vermaak being drafted in as cover for the remainder of the tour.

 Jared Payne was picked at centre with Robbie Henshaw

Team Selection

The Springboks announced an unchanged 23 man squad from their recent victory over the All Blacks. Ireland’s centre partnership in this ‘new era’ was one of complete change with both Henshaw and Payne selected to start. Gordon D’Arcy, most people’s choice to start at 12 was omitted. Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin and Mike Ross were selected at one, two and three respectively while Ireland’s back row saw a late change as Chris Henry, who was originally selected at openside was withdrawn on the day of the test and was replaced by Rhys Ruddock who partnered Peter O’Mahony and Jamie Heaslip.  Rob Kearney was selected at fifteen although only recently passing fit due to on-going back issues.

All Systems Go

Dublin was hit by torrential rain in the morning and early afternoon on the day of the test that threatened to blight what had the potential of being a free flowing game given the Boks new expansive and attacking style. Thankfully it cleared up in time for the late kick off.

Kearney had spoken about Ireland’s “need to get out of the blocks really, really early” in the lead up to the match. Ironically the full backs first involvement was to take out Willie le Roux in the air in what was more a clumsy act rather than anything else.

The TMO was consulted in the opening minutes as French referee Romain Poite wanted another view of some potential foul play from South African flanker Marcell Coetzee. Heaslip took a heavy fall and Poite wanted another angle to see if Coetzee had led with the elbow when swatting off the Leinster man. Replays were inconclusive and play resumed with a scrum.

South Africa were by far the more dominant team. The vast majority of the first half was played between Ireland’s 10 metre and try line. With a conveyor belt of giants all chomping at the bit to get their hands on the ball, the South African pack regularly punched holes and constantly made the gain line. On top of this, Ireland coughed up possession as Matfield and Eben Etzebeth put on a master class in stealing lineouts. In spite of all of this it was Ireland that drew first blood as Sexton kicked a penalty after Jannie du Plessis was pinged for illegally scrummaging. Handre Pollard had an opportunity to draw level on 18 minutes but it went wide before Sexton doubled Ireland’s lead six minutes later. Ireland spent much of the remaining fifteen minutes of the first half camped deep in their own half. However South Africa’s lack of return was a huge psychological win for Ireland. The Springbok’s turned down a number of kickable penalties in the hope of pushing for a five pointer. With their huge pack and position on the pitch who could blame them? Despite this energy sapping pressure, Ireland’s defence was incredible. The Boks finally conceded ‘defeat’ and on the stroke of half time choose to go for goal having exhausted all other avenues to get on the score board. Ireland led 6-3 at the break.

Try Time!

While clichéd as it sounds, Ireland couldn’t have asked for a better start after the interval. Tommy Bowe collected his own up and under and the ensuing attack saw Henshaw hack the ball down field which sat perfectly five metres from the Boks try line. Le Roux scrambled back to cover but could only prod it into touch. Ireland now had an attacking lineout on the Springbok’s door step. The ball went to the front of the lineout and after a quick maul and some miscommunication between South African scrum half Francois Hougaard and his pack, the Bok defence parted like the Red Sea and Ruddock cantered in. Sexton converted from out wide and Ireland led by 10.

Rhys Ruddock scores the games opening try

South Africa continued to lack the execution to convert huge amounts of possession into points as handling errors and poor discipline continued to cost them. However, it was never going to last forever and eventually after another successful lineout by commander in chief Matfield, the Boks got a good maul rolling and crossed the Irish line. Coetzee came up with the ball and the Boks were back into it. Sexton kicked another goal five minutes later but the game looked like it could swing either way as both sides looked to deal a killer blow. And so it came! On 67 minutes Kearney was taken out in the air by a swinging arm from South Africa’s substitute hooker Adrian Strauss and Poite referred it to the TMO Jim Yuille. After much consultation the referee decided to sin bin the hooker as Duane Vermeulen had only just been warned about a high tackle and the official had had enough.

One infringement too many…. Strauss was sent to the bin!

Ireland stretched their lead a few minutes later with another penalty from Sexton which put the home side nine points in the clear with only eight minutes remaining. However, the All Black encounter a year previous was still itched in the minds of many. Surely this Ireland team who since that match have won the Six Nations title could see this one out, couldn’t they?

The answer was yes. Ireland put the game to bed with a memorable try. Again, possession was coughed up by the Boks – a simple knock on, le Roux this time the culprit. From the ensuing scrum, Ireland went left. Sexton saw a ray of light in the defence as substitute scrum half Cobus Reinarch, with his handful of caps, showed the outhalf far too much room and the Lions pivot stepped back inside and gained huge ground. He was hauled down by the covering defence but Ireland were on the front foot and the damage had been done. Instead of continuing the attack down the left side where the Springbok’s were now desperately trying to cover, Conor Murray turned and chipped  the ball over everyone to the right hand side in what was very French esq in its flair. Although Bryan Habana tried desperately in vein to back track and cover his wing the damage was done and Tommy Bowe had the pace to gather the ball and dot down. The killer blow was dealt. Madigan kicked another goal a few minutes from time before South African substitute JP Pietersen scored a consolation try after a nice break from le Roux in the last play of the game.

 Contender for try of the season? Tommy Bowe’s try sealed the game in style

Squad Effort

Not many saw the game end the way it did. As 29-15 winners it wasn’t just the result that was so pleasing but the manner in which they won that is the greatest positive from the game. Ireland found a way to win, they adapted their game and their tactics were astute to say the least. On top of this Ireland can now positively say they have a squad and not just a team. With the way the modern game is, the ability of a team to have as wide a squad as possible is paramount. When one considers Ireland were missing the likes of Cian Healy, Rory Best, Sean O’Brien and Chris Henry in the pack alone, the future is certainly bright. On top of this the ‘new era’ centre pairing was hugely successful and a gamble well taken from Joe Schmidt. South Africa on the other hand were far from their best that saw them end the All Blacks record unbeaten run only a month ago. They missed Pienaar desperately as Hougaard and Pollard struggled to find their rhythm. Poor handling errors and a high penalty count also cost them dearly.

Huge respect. Paul O’Connell and Victor Matfield after the game

Turning Point: South Africa were possibly a bit hard done by the sin binning of Strauss but if you do what he did you leave yourself open to ten minutes in the naughty boy chair. It couldn’t of come at a worse point for the Boks and really took the wind out of their sails.

Man of the Match: There were many that put in stellar performances for Ireland. Paul O’Connell was pivotal in Ireland’s win and underlined his credentials as one of the best in the game. Rhys Ruddock did remarkably well given the little time he had to go from the bench straight into the cauldron like match. Conor Murray too put his hand up in another performance that must make him within the top two scrum half’s in the world right now. But it was Jonathan Sexton that was the difference. His kicking was immaculate as he struck six from six from the tee. On top of this he regularly pinned the Boks back with inch perfect kicks from hand and played a crucial role in the lead up to Bowe’s try.

 Man of the Match: Jonathan Sexton

The Score Card:

Ireland:  Try – Ruddock, Bowe. Conversions – Sexton (2). Penalties – Sexton (4), Madigan

South Africa: Try – Coetzee, Pieterson. Conversion – Pollard. Penalties – Pollard. Yellow Card – Adrian Strauss

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Robbie Henshaw 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip 7 Rhys Ruddock, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Paul O’Connell, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Jack McGrath.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Dave Kilkoyne, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Mike McCarthy, 20 Tommy O’Donnell, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Felix Jones.

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Tebo Mohoje, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Bakkies Botha, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 JP Pietersen.

Date: Saturday, November 8
Kickoff: 17:30
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant Referees: JP Doyle (England), Alexandre Ruiz (France)
TMO: Jim Yuille (Scotland)

Member Event: OSK Accountants- “Getting ready for your audit” 25th November 12.45pm

Nov 5, 2014

OSK Accountants will be hosting a Federation of Irish Sport members event at Irish Sport HQ on Tuesday 25th November between 12:45 – 2 p.m.

Deirdre McDermott, Director, OSK, will be presenting on what information and schedules you need to have prepared prior to your audit commencing, to ensure the smooth running of your audit. We would encourage all members to attend and there will be a light lunch provided.

If you intend to attend, please RSVP to Conn McCluskey

E: conn.mccluskey@irishsport.ie

T: 01-6251155

Read OSK’s sport services brochure

Pumped Schools' Video Awards Launched

Oct 31, 2014

Irish Heart Foundation & Federation of Irish Sport Call for More Post-Primary Schools to Provide Recommended Two Hours’  PE Each Week, As Pumped Schools’ Video Awards Launched

*Department of Education and Skills Recommends that Students Receive  a Minimum of 120 minutes’ PE Each Week

*One in Five Teenagers Overweight or Obese

Leading heart disease and stroke charity, the Irish Heart Foundation, and the representative association for National Governing Bodies of Sport, the Federation of Irish Sport, have today called on post-primary schools to redouble their efforts in implementing the Department of Education and Skills’ recommendation that two hours’ physical education be provided to post-primary school students each week¹.

The call was made at the launch of the Pumped Schools’ Video Awards, supported by Bayer in partnership with the Irish Heart Foundation, the Federation of Irish Sport and RTÉ news2day, which seeks to encourage young people to unleash their creative juices and produce 90-second movies on a heart health theme. The competition invites participants to explore the science behind physical activity, diet and smoking, the impact of these on health and well-being, and produce compelling videos that inspire viewers to act. With a prize fund of €10,000, there are three categories in which to enter – “Smoking Stinks”, “Active Teens—Healthy Hearts” and “Weighty Matters”. The awards are open to all post-primary students between the ages of 12 and 16 years with the winner of each category winning €3,000 for their school’s sports department and each individual student receiving a €100 voucher. More information can be found at http://www.pumped.ie/

It is estimated that one in five teenagers is overweight or obese² with Ireland’s rates amongst the worst in Europe³. Our young people also top an international league in terms of levels of inactivity, a major risk for overweight, obesity, cardiovascular and other diseases. The league, part of an analysis of 15 countries worldwide presented at a Global Summit on Physical Activity of Children in Toronto earlier this year, accorded Ireland a Grade D minus for physical activity amongst children, behind countries such as Mozambique, New Zealand, Mexico, Kenya and Nigeria⁴. Only 12 per cent of post-primary students meet the Department of Health’s guideline of 60 minutes’ moderate to vigorous physical activity each day—girls less so than boys—and just 10 per cent of post-primary students are timetabled with the recommended minimum 120 minutes of physical education each week⁵.

Speaking in advance of the awards launch, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, said: “In Ireland our health really is our wealth. The government’s Healthy Ireland initiative is aimed at improving the health and well-being of all the people of Ireland and for generations to come. Through our plan, we’re asking everyone to play their part. Educating young people and encouraging participation in physical activity are essential to improving the health of our future generations. I hope that the Pumped Schools’ Video Awards will prove to be a fun and engaging way for students to find out and share the information they need about heart health as well as picking up tips on having a healthy lifestyle that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. This is your chance—our chance—to get together and get involved in making our life everything it can be in body, mind and spirit.”

Iwer Baecker, Managing Director, Bayer Ireland Ltd, noted: “As a life science company, Bayer understands the crucial importance of raising the level of awareness of health issues within our society and especially amongst our young people. Bayer is very proud to be part of the Pumped campaign which is now in its third year. The competition helps engage young people and to get them thinking about the importance of diet and physical activity in living a healthy life. The quality of the entries from the previous two years really shows our students’ growing understanding of how behaviour impacts health and the entries highlight a high level of innovation and imagination.”

Obesity Epidemic

Maureen Mulvihill, Head of Health Promotion, Irish Heart Foundation, commented: “PE is an intrinsic element in encouraging young people to be physically active. Given the high levels of inactivity in teenagers, increasing levels of overweight and obesity and early signs of heart disease, it is vital that the recommended level of PE is compulsory for all pupils, as is the case across Europe for primary and Junior cycle education⁶. Projects like Pumped are part of the mix to help educate our young people on how to live a healthy lifestyle and prevent disease. Cardiovascular disease, mainly heart attack and stroke, is the leading cause of death in Ireland with about 10,000 people dying each year⁷.”

Sarah O’Connor is Chief Executive of the Federation of Irish Sport and a member of the Healthy Ireland Council that seeks to mobilise communities, families and individuals with the aim of supporting everyone to enjoy the best possible health and well-being. “It is hard to understand against a backdrop of growing levels of obesity and physical inactivity, and the vision of Healthy Ireland—where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and well-being to their full potential—that according to available research that only 10 per cent of post-primary students are receiving the recommendation of 120 minutes of PE every week. We also know that girls are less likely than boys to meet the physical activity recommendations for health of at least 60 minutes each day, that they receive fewer minutes of formal PE in school and that they are more likely than boys to be timetabled for single as opposed to double class periods. Schools along with parents have a key role to play in ensuring that young people meet the physical activity levels needed for health. It is vital that we take this issue seriously and we join with our partners in the Irish Heart Foundation in urging that all schools deliver on this and that all students participate.”

Change of Heart

Fiona Coghlan, Captain of the Ireland team at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014, PE teacher and member of the judging panel, knows about speaking to young people in a language that they understand. “Although parents and teachers are often the best people to advise young people on what to do with their lives, the people they most listen to are their friends. That’s why the Pumped Schools’ Video Awards are a great way to get young people thinking about what they put into their mouths and how they look after their bodies. With these awards, hopefully we can get young people to think twice about how they live their lives and look after themselves. In fact, I believe that these awards should be included as part of the Junior Cert curriculum for all students in exploring their heart health.”

Olympic medalist, boxer Paddy Barnes, is also lending his support to the Pumped Schools’ Video Awards initiative. “As a boxer, I know what it is to get pumped before a big fight. But these awards provide an opportunity to focus on getting an altogether different kind of pumped. Pumped about what we are eating and what we are drinking, whether we smoke and whether we exercise and what it means for our body fitness. Unless we make the right life choices, the stark reality is that we are just storing up lots of health problems for ourselves down the tracks. Why make life harder than it needs to be? We need to have a change of heart when it comes to looking after our heart health. And that change needs to start right now.”

Orla Walsh, presenter RTÉ news2day, added: “From cricket to kickboxing, dancing to badminton, we’ve covered it all on news2day! Myself and fellow presenter Nick meet loads of young people every day who are involved in all sorts of sports and other physical activities. The one thing that always leaps out at us is the fun that they have. Whether it’s taking part in rugby, being on the hockey team, playing basketball, GAA, or doing hip hop dancing, anything that gets the body moving is a good thing. Experts tell us how beneficial taking part in sport is for our physical health, yet we also see the great fun, the team spirit, the friendships that form when people get together to do something active. Even tennis and boxing need at least two people! So, whatever way you want to do it, get moving, get pumped!”

For more information on the Pumped Schools’ Video Awards, visit http://www.pumped.ie/. The closing date for entries is January 16 2015.

Kate Callaghan – A Years Preparation

Oct 28, 2014

Kate Callaghan – a member of the Motorcycling Ireland’s Women’s Trial Des Nations Team 2014, takes time to write about her years preparation and performance at the Trial Des Nations.

From October 2013:

With the season getting ready to start in January 2014, practice and bike fitness starts. With only 3 months to prepare the time is short but possible. Funds are also taken into consideration, with helping raise money for the Trials Committee.

In doing this I take on our Annual Awards Presentation with the organisation of Venue and ticket sales. Also the organisation on the night. I have also helped with course marking for the club MEC. With the Trials Committee’s Training day’s I’ve helped with course marking observing and sign on.

January 2014:

As the season starts in January it is for sure very hard to find the time to help at Championship events but among these championship events there are club trials that I try get out to and help as much as possible.

Championship time:

Throughout the season between competing in Irish Championship and Southern Centre and along with club trials. To keep on top of my riding it involved fitness as trying to find the time to get out practicing during the school months is hard. I took into account that swimming, running and weight training was the best for fitting into the short evenings. With the dedication of swimming up and down a swimming pool for two nights a week this worked wonders for me. Last year I suffered from  arm pump; I knew I had to do something. I haven’t had problems since I increased my fitness.

Summer 2014 (June,July,August) :

With more time on my hands without school and just working a few nights a week. I found it a lot easier to fit bike time and fitness into my seclude.

With eating a healthy breakfast every morning and starting the day with fitness. Swimming for an hour & half or running, then following weights and workouts. The evenings during the week I was off work (2nights). I would spend between 2.5 hours to 3hours bike time. I also had training days with the TDN (Trial Des Nations) team. These days were great for bonding with the team and being encouraged to try more hard sections. I would also at the weekend be competing in a trial either North or South. I found this hard to attach to as my friends were going out during the week and I had to miss due to my dedication of wanting to compete well in Andorra.

September 2014: (Andorra time)

Wednesday 10^th September:

• I flew from Dublin to Girona, Barcelona.
• With a 3 hour drive from the airport to Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra.

Thursday 11^th September:

We unpacked the van and set up in the paddock

10:30am I signed on for the World Trial Championship, with receiving my riding bib.

11:00-1:30pm I went to practice at the practice area on the lovely mountain in 30 degrees heat.

2:00-5:00pm I went to walk the section for Friday ( World Trial Championship) and also for Saturday (Women’s Trial Des Nations).

5:00pm was the scrutiny of my bike.

Then it was dinner and an early night.

Friday 12^th September

7:00am The alarm went off

7:30am Breakfast

8:00am To the paddock for the final checks of the bike and ‘to check the makeup’.

8:30am FIM Women’s team photo

8:58am Start

2:30pm Finished

2:50pm Washed the bike

3:00pm Bike preparation for Saturday (I didn’t participate)

3:30pm off to shower and look good

4:45pm Team meeting in hotel

5:00pm Trial Des Nations Team Parade

5:30pm Trial Des Nations Ceremony

7:00pm Dinner and Off to bed early

Saturday 13^th September

7:30am the alarm went off

8:30am Breakfast

9:00am to the paddock

9:30am To the start

9:50am Ladies team pictures

10:10am Start (Team Ireland’s Ladies)

3:30pm Finished

My Experience:

Friday World Trial Championship 12^th September.

I completely enjoyed my 2^nd World Trial. The experience I gain and confidence no words can explain. I was on top form with putting my all into it. Every section I pushed and pushed trying to avoid 5’s. As 3’s are far better than getting a 5 punched on your card. With finishing 33^rd position out of 48 riders. I was happy even knowing losing 5 less marks I could have achieved top 30.

Saturday Trial Des Nations 14^th September.

Flying the Irish Flag today with Michelle Hanlon.

Porridge on board and eager to go for day two. Full confidence going out after a successful day one. Section one on lap one. The section got the better of me I banged my left baby toe off a rock, as I took the risk of a clean over a broken toe. Fortunately the clean won and the toe suffered.  As I carried on with just a little pain.

Then on the 2^nd lap the toe became victim again, clean again. But this time my toe became very painful knocking me completely. It unsteadied me and took away my concentration. Continuing the lap bad luck hit me, with my knee got caught and melting to the exhaust pipe, I had lovely pink dye on the exhaust pipe. Shelly and I had finished with a great days laugh and experience with loads of war wounds. The team was truly amazing to work with and I personally had an awesome time.

I would like to thank Motorcycling Ireland with their support and funds for giving me the opportunity to compete at international level and gain such great experience. I would also like the thank the team itself for their encouragement, minding and mechanics.

I look forward to in the future to progress more and hopefully compete at full international level and live my dream.

Yours in Sport,

Kate Callaghan

2014 Juvenile GAA Handball 60×30 Finals

Oct 28, 2014

The cream of Juvenile 60×30 Handball converged on two Leinster venues this month, from Friday 10^th October – Sunday 12^th to battle it out for the 2014 All Ireland titles in the softball code. Thirteen counties in all competed with Clare, Tyrone and Wexford leading the way taking an impressive 3 titles each.  This was impressive of Clare and Tyrone in particular as their counties have only one 60×30 court at their disposal. Cork, Kilkenny and Limerick followed closely with 2 titles each and Tipperary collected one to complete a very successful weekend of Juvenile Handball.

On the Friday, action began in Talbot’s Inch, Kilkenny, were three grades were decided. First up was the Boys Under 15 Doubles where Cork’s David Walsh & Tadgh O’Neill defeated Kilkenny’s Cathal Barry & Eoin Regan 15-0, 15-2. The second game turned out to be the game of the night with Kilkenny’s Shane Dunne defeating Jerome Cahill, Tipperary. Shane took the Boys U16 Singles title after a three game epic which came down to the last ace. He won the first game 20-15, James won the second game 16-21 and it was nip and tuck all the way in the tie break before Shane took it 11-10 to the crowds delight. The final game on the night was won by the experienced Tipperary duo of Jason English & Colin Ryan who defeated the Kilkenny pair of Rory Cullan & Dion Bourke.

The Sunday action returned to Talbots Inch were there were seven games down for decision. First up was the Girls U15 Singles with Clare’s Ella Donnellan defeating Kildare’s Mollie Dagg 15-6 & 15-11. In the Girls U14 Singles Limerick’s Catriona Millane took a tie break win over Kildare’s Leah Doyle 15-8, 10-15, 15-6. In the Boys U15 Singles Wexford’s Anthony Butler claimed their first of three titles on the day when he defeat Waterford’s Kaven O’Keeffe 15-1, 15-10. Then in the Girls U16 Singles Kilkenny’s Aoife Holden overcame Roscommon’s Fiona Tully in another 3 game tussle that went down to the last ace. Fiona won the first game 21-14 but Aoife took the next 21-14 and the tie-break 11-10.

The Girls U16 Doubles was another cracker of a match with it also going to a tie-break.   Wexford’s Roisin Walsh & Holly Hynes defeated Limerick’s Katie McCarthy & Laura Stack in three tight games on a score line 21-15, 17-21, 11-9. Next up was the Girls U17 Doubles final.  Limerick’s Michelle McCarty & Niamh McCarthy defeated Kilkenny’s Elaine Power & Aoife Walsh 21-2, 21-0. Finally in the Boys U17 Singles Wexford’s Keith Armstrong defeated Galway’s Jamie Kelly 21-15, 21-6 to round off the day’s action in Kilkenny.

The other venue on Sunday was Garryhill where there were six games. First up was the Girls U14 Doubles with Tyrone’s Caitlin Conway & Elizabeth Garvey claimed their counties first of three titles on the day when the pair defeat Clare’s Aoife Floyd & Bridin Dinan over three tight games 15-10, 2-15, 15-8. In the Girls U15 Doubles Tyrone’s Michaela McCartan & Emer Kerr defeated Tipperary’s Eimer Meagher & Sile Spain 15-12, 15-2. Tyrone’s three in a row then came in the Boys U14 Doubles with Antoin Fox & Cormac Munroe defeating Tipperary’s John McGrath & Sean McAdams over three games 15-3, 13-15, 15-7.

Next up was the Girls U17 Singles.  Clare’s Doireann Murphy had a tight first game victory over Dublin’s Meadhbh Ní Dhálaigh 21-16 followed by 21-0 in the second. In the Boys U14 Singles Clare’s very skilful Tiernan Agnew defeated Meath’s Daniel Farrelly 15-2, 15-0. The last game of the day saw Cork’s Shane Flynn & Daniel Moynihan defeating Tyrone’s Aaron Owens & Jack Campbell over 3 tough games on a score line 21-8, 5-21 and 11-7 to complete the action at the Carlow venue.

2014 GAA Handball Juvenile 60×30 All Ireland Finals

Friday 10^th October 2014:

BU15D Cork (David Walsh/Tadgh O’Neill) dft Kilkenny (Cathal Barry/Eoin Regan) 15-0, 15-2

BU16S Kilkenny (Shane Dunne) dft Tipperary (Jerome Cahill) 21-15, 16-21, 11-10

BU16D Tipperary (Jason English/Colin Ryan) dft Kilkenny (Roy Cullen/Dion Bourke) 21-3, 21-3

Sunday 12^th October 2014:

GU15S Clare (Ella Donnellan) dft Kildare (Mollie Dagg) 15-6, 15-11

GU14S Limerick (Catriona Millane) dft Kildare (Leah Doyle) 15-8, 10-15, 15-6.

BU15S Wexford (Anthony Butler) dft Waterford (Kavan O’Keeffe) 15-1, 15-10

GU16S Kilkenny (Aoife Holden) dft Roscommon (Fiona Tully) 14-21, 21-14, 11-10

GU16D Wexford (Roisin Walsh/Holly Hynes) dft Limerick (Katie McCarthy/Laura Stack) 21-15, 17-21, 11-9

GU17D Limerick (Michelle McCarthy/Niamh McCarthy) dft Kilkenny (Elaine Power/Aoife Walsh) 21-2, 21-0

BU17S Wexford (Keith Armstrong) dft Galway (Jamie Kelly) 21-15, 21-6

Sunday 12^th October 2014

GU14D Tyrone (Caitlin Conway/Elizabeth McGarvey) dft Clare (Aoife Floyd/Bridin Dinan) 15-10, 2-15, 15-8

GU15D Tyrone (Michaela McCartan/Emer Kerr) dft Tipperary (Eimer Meagher/Sile Spain) 15-12, 15-2

BU14D Tyrone (Antoin Fox/Cormac Munroe) dft Tipperary (John McGrath/Sean McAdams) 15-3, 13-15, 15-7

GU17S Clare (Doireann Murphy) dft Dublin (Meadhbh Ní Dhálaigh) 21-16, 21-0

BU14S Clare (Tiernan Agnew) dft Meath (Daniel Farrelly) 15-2, 15-0

BU17D Cork (Shane Flynn/Daniel Moynihan) dft Tyrone (Aaron Owens/Jack Campbell) 21-8, 5-21, 11-7