Quarter-finals to provide some interesting fare
Wednesday March 03 2010
EVERYTHING IS now set for the quarter-finals of the Wexford Farmers Co-Op 40 x 20 championships as the remaining games were played over the past week.
The only Senior game was in the ladies' grade, and Amanda Kelly surprised Coolgreany's Tanya O'Toole to grab a semi-final spot. The Templeudigan player grabbed the first set 21-13, before losing the second 21-3, but she re-grouped and saw the job out 21-10.
There were two quarter-finals in the men's Junior singles. Eugene Kelly, more known for his 60 x 30 handball, was in hot form when he beat next week's Leinster finalist, Declan Hart from Horeswood, 21-6, 21-13.
Malachy Whelan ensured another Castlebridge success by grabbing a semi-final spot courtesy of a 21-13, 21-16 win over Fergal McWilliams from Horeswood.
In the Junior doubles quarter-finals, John Roche and Malachy Whelan beat Justin Heffernan and Tom Murphy from Oulart 21-9, 211.
In the semi-finals they are joined by Ballyhogue duo Mark Maher and Peter Hughes after they prevailed 21-1, 21-19 over Seán Flood and P.J. Leacy from St. Joseph's.
Patrick Curran grabbed the only Minor semifinal spot up for grabs as he got the better of Cory Murphy from Castlebridge in a cracking game, with the St. Martin's native succeeding 21-10, 21-20.
There were three very good quarter-finals played in the Golden Masters singles. Fintan Doyle dealt easily with the challenge from Pat Leacy (St. Joseph's), with the Barntown man putting in a good night's work on a 21-4, 21-9 scoreline.
Ned Buggy was in a similar no messing attitude as he got by John Bail from Davidstown 21-9, 21-10. However, Nicky Curran had to work all the way in his quarter-final against Billy Rossiter, but after a long battle he won through on a 21-17, 11-21, 21-11 scoreline.
Three quarter-finals in the Junior 'D' singles also took place last week. Michael Busher from Bridgetown was a 19-21, 21-11, 21-15 winner over Eamonn Murphy from Oulart, Pat Kennedy continued his impressive comeback with a 21-15, 21-14 win over Michael Sinnott, and Darwyn Hart was the winner in his clash with Pat Rowsome as the Horeswood man prevailed in a thriller (21-11, 20-21, 21-18).
Wexford County Handball Board would like to offer its sympathies to the family of Tommy O'Dowd from Wexford who passed away last week.
He was a former All-Ireland Junior doubles champion for the Model county. May he rest in peace.
