BY MICHAEL O’LEARY
There was great success for Kilkenny Handballers recently with All-Ireland titles for both Amy Brennan and Noah Manogue, while two weeks ago The Windgap Ladies Feile Handball Team won the clubs first ever Division One title in Aughapower County Mayo.
Amy Brennan from Conahy competes with Clogh Handball Club defeated Leah Minogue from Clare 21-12, 21-11 to win The Intermediate Singles All-Ireland Final in Croke Park, while Noah Manogue won The Minor Singles All-Ireland Final against Thomas O’Connor of Cork.
Noah’s All-Ireland win was the 1st time that a Kilkenny player won a 40 x 20 Minor Singles title since Richie Hogan in 2006.
Amy was previously an All-Ireland Champion having won an U-16 All-Ireland Softball title, while she is also a very talented Camogie player having won U-16, Minor and Intermediate County titles with Conahy Shamrocks over the past few years.
Noah Manogue hurls for James Stephens and he was captain of The Village minor hurlers that won Minor and U-15 County titles over the past few years.
Meanwhile, The Windgap Ladies Feile Handball Team of Kate O’Brien, Moya Egan, Rachel Kennedy and Lucy Crowley won the Division One 40 x 20 title in Mayo as they acheived history by winning the clubs first ever Division One title.
Windgap defeated Kells and Kilfane along the way to qualifying for the All-Ireland Final, and they came up against Greencastle of Tyrone in the decider in what was a nailbiting encounter.
They lost the first game 21-11, but the pairing of Kate O’Brien and Lucy Crowley won the second doubles match 21-9 as they ran out overall winners 32-30.
As the 40 x 20 season has winded down, Kilkenny Handballers have enjoyed plenty of success over the past few months winning Leinster and All-Ireland titles with attention now turning to the 60 x 30 season throughout the Summer months.
