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Welcome to the site of Leixlip Handball

Tá míle fáilte romhat

We hope that you will find here all the information you need about handball activities in Leixlip. We have tried to ensure that all material is relevant, interesting and easily accessible. If you have suggestions for improvement we will be delighted to hear from you. Bain taitneamh as!

 

Best of Luck
- to our Senior Footballers in their Championship debut against St. Kevins on Saturday - Clane, 7.00pm. Go n-éirí leo - Please support.
- to Paul and Niall in their Junior Hardball Doubles outing in Ballymore on Sunday at 1.00pm

 

Niall Takes Three-in-a-Row
Niall O'Connor added to his impressive list of national honours when he collected a third successive Hardball Singles Title on Sunday 13th May in Williamstown. Having secured back-to-back Minor titles in 2010 and 2011, he lost no time in stamping his authority on the Junior grade with a title- winning outing against Wexford's Jason Murphy and in doing so he has confirmed his credentials as one of the top exponents of the code.
His latest victory did not come easily however and he had to endure some anxious moments before he eventually clinched the title against a tough and determined opponent. With an 18-10 lead in the first game, O'Connor looked to be in control but a number of uncharacteristic errors allowed Murphy to claim the initiative and in the end the Leixlip player was extremely lucky to edge out on a 21-19 scoreline. O'Connor reasserted himself in the second game and produced some power serving and deceptively-angled passing shots to move confidently ahead and take the game and title 21-9.
Niall now goes on to team up with club colleague Paul Moran in quest of further honours in the Doubles competition and will have an opening outing on Sunday 20th May in Ballymore Eustace.
Results:
Niall dft. Michael Carroll (Tipperary) 21-1; 21-2
Semi-Final: Niall w/o Eamon Davern ( Limerick) scr.
Final: Niall dft. Jason Murphy (Wexford) 21-19; 21-9

Diary Date - Important Club Meeting
A meeting of all club members will take place on Tuesday 29th May. Plans for the club's preparations for the World Championships will be discussed and it is essential that all prospective adult participants and parents of juveniles be present. The meeting will commence at 8.30pm

Strategic Plan Focus 9
-The Welcoming Club

"The club will endeavour to promote a message of inclusion and welcome at all times. In addition to specific events such as its annual Family Day, it will provide a facility where parents, players and mentors can meet, interact, receive information and maybe have a cup of tea or coffee or other refreshments.

The club will also highlight at every suitable opportunity the responsibility of the individual member in helping to create an atmosphere of genuine welcome in the club premises and environs. Club staff will clearly have a key role in this area and management will ensure that appropriate support is provided where necessary".

- Communications, Public Relations and Social and Cultural, pge 23. To read full text, click here. Copies of the Plan are available at Reception in the club

 

 

All Systems Go for Féile
The focus is now very definitely on the preparation of our club representatives for one of the major events on the annual handball calendar, the Féile na nGael competition, which this year is being hosted by Dublin and takes place on 5th and 6th July. With three team panels already in place, this weekend saw the completion of the selection process with the naming of the club standard-bearers in the Skills Competition and the club will be sparing no effort to ensure that its excellent record of participation and success in Féile is maintained. Well done to all the participants in what was a very high quality skills exhibition and a special word of appreciation to Niall O'Connor, who did a first-class job in his very demanding role as adjudicator.
Results:
Girls: Winner: Hannah Dagg. Standby: Leah Doyle
Boys: Winner: Kevin Diggins. Standby: Sean Muddiman.

Féile Team Panels:
Girls: Hannah Dagg, Saoirse Sunderland, Sorcha Tiernan, Niamh Masterson and Leah Doyle
Boys 1: Kevin Diggins, Sean Muddiman, Jack Tobin, Kal Cribbin and Aaron Doonan
Boys 2: Cathal Browne, Liam O'Flynn, Jamie Muddiman, James Killeen and Cormac Keegan (Photo).

 

Well Done:
-To Hannah Dagg who participated in the prestigious Carrickmore Tournament on Saturday/Sunday 5th/6th May. Hannah lost out to Team Ireland member, Fiona Tully of Roscommon, in her opening encounter (12-31) but more than made up for this with subsequent wins over Galway girls Eimear Ní Bhiadha (27-18) and Anna Ni Odhráin Ní Mhurchú (18-14).

- To Minor footballers who were most unfortunate to fall by a single point to Castledermot in the Kildare Div.2 League Final on Saturday 5th May in Hawkfield (Score 3-11 to 1-18).

For weekend Club results, click here
For details of all forthcoming Club fixtures click here.

Strategic Plan Focus 8
-Sportsmanship and Fair Play

-"The club will promote fair play within our teams and with our players.......

But it will be more than just a matter of complying with guidelines. As a major community organisation, the club recognises and embraces its role and responsibilities in the shaping of values and civic awareness within the community. The club will therefore attach the highest importance to the creation and maintenance of a genuine spirit of sportsmanship, fair play and responsible behaviour which will permeate the club and its activities".

Games Development and Coaching. (To read full text - Click here. Copies of the Plan are available at Reception in the club)

Leixlip Entries to Leinster 60x30 Championships
Under 21 Singles: Niall O’Connor
Junior B Doubles: P.J.Tobin & Damien Carty
Emerald  Masters B Singles: Des Lyons
Emerald  Masters B Doubles: Des Lyons & John O’Neill

 

Worlds Countdown Continues
The prospective World Championship pairing of Anna Spence and Roscommon's Marianna Rushe will be reasonably happy with their outings in the Ladies Open Doubles Trials which took place in Leixlip and Kingscourt over the weekend. In their opening encounter in the Leixlip court, they looked very impressive when racing to a 21-7 first game win over the Mayo partnership of Pauline Gallagher and Amy Corrigan and a facile two-game victory looked very much in prospect when they eased into a 15-6 lead in the second. However, a focused left-side serving strategy began to produce results for the Mayo girls and having levelled at 17-all, they went on to take the game 21-20 to force a tiebreak. A tense affair ensued with the Kildare/Roscommon pair regaining their momentum to secure some excellent killshots at vital stages and take the game and match 11-7

The semi-final clash with the formidable Antrim pairing of sisters Fiona Shannon and Sibeal Gallagher produced some excellent handball on both sides but proved to be a bridge too far for the newly-formed combination and they made their exit on a 6-21; 8-21 scoreline. No places on Team Ireland for Leixlip therefore, but this will count for little when the actual competition gets under way and a focused and professional preparatory programme can ensure that the club will make a major impact in October.
Results
Ladies Open:
Quarter Final: Anna Spence/Marianna Rushe dft. Amy Corrigan/Pauline Gallagher (Mayo) 21-7; 20-21; 11-7. Semi Final: Anna/Marianna lost to Fiona Shannon/Sibeal Gallagher (Antrim) 6-21; 8-21.
Men's Open
Final: Robbie McCarthy (Westmeath) and Brian Carroll (Meath) dft Paul Brady and Michael Finnegan (Cavan) 9-21, 21-15, 11-9

Disappointing performance from senior footballers in losing the local derby.
For weekend Club results, click here
For details of all forthcoming Club fixtures click here.

Big Day for Leixlip Bunscoil Girls
Local schools Scoil Eoin Phóil and Scoil Bhríde were very well represented at a colourful and highly participative Cumann na mBunscol National Event which took place on Saturday 28th in Kingscourt as part of a major handballing weekend. Well done to Leah Doyle, Mollie Dagg, Leah Smyth, Sorcha Tiernan, Niamh Masterson and Ciara Harrington as they did the honours in fine style for their schools, their county and their club. All participants received a jersey and a medal/certificate as a memento of a special occasion.
Photo: Back: Leah, Sorcha, Niamh and Mollie. Front: Ciara and Leah
For report and further photos click here

Strategic Plan Focus 7
-Player Development and Welfare

-"Our club is conscious of player development and welfare issues, from academy to adult, and this is also addressed. Each year the club will appoint a player representative to represent all five codes and that person will be a member of the Executive.

Player welfare at underage level is of paramount importance and the sharing of that responsibility between club and parents is something that requires goodwill, common sense and, above all, good communication on both sides. The club will do its utmost to ensure that in both its structures and in its practices it will meet that responsibility."   

Games Development and Coaching. (To read full text - Click here. Copies of the Plan are available at Reception in the club)
  

Great Reaction
Not surprisingly, the handball messageboards have been buzzing on the subject of the recent Martin Mulkerrins-Niall O'Connor thriller:

-"One of the best matches I've seen in a long time. For raw intensity and skill as well as both players playing a very honest game and leaving everything on the court".

-"O'Connor's behind-the-back roller was world class! One of the greatest shots ever".

-"Great to see young lads like O'Connor and Mulkerrins continue to play excellent ball".

And well deserved.

Leinster 60x30 Championships
Prospective entrants should note that entries and fees should be with the Club Secretary by Monday 30th April at the latest. For Entry Form, click here

Bitter Disappointment for Niall
The dual prize of a place on Team Ireland for the World Championships and sweet revenge on longtime adversary, Martin Mulkerrins, slipped agonisingly through the fingers of Niall O’Connor in a highly dramatic and ferociously fought 19-and-Under Final in Kingscourt on Sunday 22nd April. Once again the extraordinary resilience and focus of the Galwayman brought him through when it looked as if the sublime artistry of the Leixlip star would carry the day in this two-game thriller. Having built up substantial  leads at seemingly crucial times  in both games, Niall was just unable to apply the killer blows and Mulkerrins was able to claw his way back for victory and once again confirm his formidable reputation as a competitor.  

This was rivetting stuff from the first serve with all the skills of the game on show. With both men having come through their semi-finals in impressive style it was  always going to be a showpiece match and  the pace and quality of the play was immediately evident. Initial exchanges were even enough but gradually Niall began to assert his authority and with a succession of dazzling killshots he built up a 13-5 lead. The Moycullen man managed to reduce the deficit to three at 15-12  but advantage was still with Leixlip  at 19-16 as the game entered its crucial final stages. Here Mulkerrins really showed his mettle as he ground out the next five scores over some heartstopping rallies to take the game 21-19.
The loss of the first game seemed to affect Niall in the early stages of the second and some tentative play allowed Martin to move to a 9-3 lead. Niall rose to the occasion however to produce a spell of immaculate handball which brought gasps of admiration from the gallery as he wiped out the deficit and forged 15-9 ahead. Mulkerrins  roared back to level at 17 all and again the scene was set for a dramatic finale. Again however, Mulkerrins lived up to his reputation as a supreme competitor and notwithstanding a number of controversial line calls in his favour, his ice-cold precision in a series of tension-packed rallies saw him deservedly through on a 21-18 scoreline.

This was an exceptional game of handball, probably the game of the entire competition, in which both men greatly enhanced their reputations. Martin will be a worthy and deserving member of the Team Ireland in the forthcoming World Championships, while Niall will await his opportunity to turn the tables on his longtime friend and adversary. Handball supporters everywhere will relish the prospect.

No joy for Leixlip’s other representatives in weekend competitions  but all will have benefited from the experience as a pointer to prospects for the Worlds and in particular to what needs to be done to make those prospects realistic.
Photos: Top: Trophy presentation by Handball CEO, Chris Curran. Right: After the Battle
Leixlip Results:
Saturday/Sunday 21st/22nd April
Ladies Open: Anna Spence lost to Fiona Shannon (Antrim) 3-21; 7-21
19 and Under: Niall O'Connor dft. Donal Wrynn (Leitrim) 21-4; 21-6 . Final: Niall lost to Martin Mulkerrins( Galway) 19-21;18-21
15 and Under: Áine O'Keeffe dft. Elaine Mitchell (Galway) 21-18; 21-17. Lost to Fiona Tully (Roscommon) 7-21; 4-21
15 and Under: Hannah Dagg w/o Róisín Cahill (Tipperary) scr. Lost to Niamh Coleman (Armagh) 18-21; 4-21
15 and Under: Kate Dagg lost to Elise McRory (Tyrone) 19-21; 7-21

For full Results, click here

Well done to our Minor Footballers who defeated Balyna in the Kildare Minor League semi-final on Sunday 22nd.

For weekend Club results, click here
For details of all forthcoming Club fixtures click here.

 

Strategic Plan Focus 6
-Contribution and Acknowledgement

"It is imperative that new faces are sought for committees, particularly non-active parents, players and young people and that a culture be developed where it is the norm that all who can contribute in any way to the betterment of the club should consider it their responsibility to do so. We are acutely aware that it is not always possible for members to commit a significant amount of time for ongoing involvement in committees etc. but it is felt that very many of our members would be willing to get involved in specific, finite projects or in other forms of worthwhile input on an occasional basis

Many of the day to day responsibilities and tasks, although essential to the successful management and running of any club, are low profile and are undertaken by highly dedicated volunteers in the background and away from the attention or knowledge of the general club membership and the public. The club is conscious of this and will consider how the dedication and contribution of these volunteers can be best supported and recognised in the future".  

- Club Structures and Administration, pge 35. (To read full text - Click here. Copies of the Plan are available at reception in the club)

 

 

Leinster Cumann na mBunscol Finals
Well done to the all-Leixlip team who represented Kildare in the Leinster Finals on Wednesday 18th April in Coolboy, Wicklow with six of these players emerging as champions.
Scores below for those who reached finals - result on aggregate score.
U11Girls Singles: Leah Doyle (Scoil Eoin Phóil) dft. Kilkenny 8-11; 11-1 - Leinster Champion
U11Girls Doubles: Mollie Dagg/Leah Smyth (Scoil Bhríde) dft. Wexford 11-5; 11-7 - Leinster Champions
U11Boys Singles: Jamie Muddiman (Scoil Bhríde)- Kildare Champion
U11Boys Doubles: Blajez Miller/Ciaran Silke (Scoil Bhríde)- Kildare Champions

U13Girls Singles: Sorcha Tiernan ( Scoil Bhríde) dft. Wicklow 13-3; 13-4 - Leinster Champion
U13Girls Doubles: Niamh Masterson/Ciara Harrington (Scoil Eoin Phóil) dft. Wexford 11-13; 13-8 - Leinster Champions
U13Boys Singles: Cillian Ó hÓgáin (Scoil Uí Dhálaigh) lost to Kilkenny 11-13; 1-13 - Leinster Finalist
U13Boys Doubles: Shane Smyth/Justin Flood (Scoil Bhríde) - Kildare Champions

Message from Club Chairperson:
"A quick thank you to all who were involved in the Cumann na mBunscol competition. I think it was a great achievement to have had 12 children involved in the Leinster Finals today. We had over forty competing at local level and now we have a total of six progressing to the National Event. I think that all enjoyed the experience at the different levels and we intend to be back again even better next year. Well done."
Photo: Leinster Champions: Back, from left: Leah, Mollie and Leah. Front, from left: Ciara, Sorcha and Niamh

 

Strategic Plan Focus 5
-The Role of the Supporter

"The role of club supporters, both individually and collectively, in player and team development, should not in any way be underestimated or undervalued.
Aside from the important issues of sportsmanship and good behaviour, genuine supporters can contribute in a very significant way to the enhancement of playing performance. They can do this by match attendance (and indeed even training session attendance), as frequently as possible, by being positive and well informed, by looking for the opportunity to praise rather than to criticise and by giving their team a strong sense of fair-minded support, both on and off the playing field. In this way they can help to create an environment in which players and teams will really want to give of their best for their club and their community".

- Games Development and Coaching, pge 17. (To read full text - Click here. Copies of the Plan are available at reception in the club)

Weekend Results
Saturday 14th April in Mullingar
Ladies Open Singles Round 1:
Anna Spence dft Karen Lawlor (Kerry) 21-3, 21-9
Junior National Team Trials
Saoirse Sunderland lost to Anna Ní Odhráin Ní Mhurchú 7-21; 2-21

For weekend Club results, click here

 

Kate Joins All-Ireland Elite
Kate Dagg bridged a ten-year gap to join the Leixlip Club’s All-Ireland Girls’ Roll of Honour when she claimed the U/17 Singles  in Kilkenny on Sunday 8th April. In so doing, she follows most recent winners, Eimear Ní Fhallúin and Sinéad Gallogly, who took gold in the U/16 Doubles in 2002 and creates another link in a chain stretching back to the the club’s first All-Ireland Championship winners, Anna and Cliona Wrynn in 1992.

On the day Kate was far too good for her opponent, Ulster champion, Zara Girvan of Tyrone, and from very early on it was clear that there would be only one result. Her serving options were consistently good and provided the foundation for her control of the entire game. She played with composure and confidence throughout and on the rare occasions when she lost a rally she was able to reassert herself immediately. Score: 21-0; 21-0.

The fact that she had the easiest of victories in no way diminishes the achievement and it will surely be seen as a fitting reward for her hard work as well as representing a steady progression over the range of her skills and providing a solid basis for further development. Well done, Kate – tá do ghradam tuillte go maith agat.
For report and results in respect of 2012 Juvenile All-Irelands, click here

For details of all forthcoming Club fixtures click here.

For weekend Club results, click here

 

Strategic Plan Focus 4
- Good Communications

“Good communications have a vital role to play not only in helping to create and sustain a sense of pride of place and pride in the jersey but also in actually using to maximum advantage the big club’s strength in numbers and diversity of talent. Two factors are essential in utilising these strengths to the full: good structures and individual responsibility.

While the detail of the actions set out ….. concentrates on the structures necessary to deliver the desired outcomes, it will also be crucial that every club member takes responsibility for his/her individual contribution to creating a club ethos that is forward-looking, inclusive and welcoming. Just as good communication at the structural and collective level is about doing the best and most efficient job for all, good communication at a personal level is essentially about respect and a sense of fellowship for club colleagues and for all who visit the club or who come into contact with club members".

- Communications, Public Relations and Social and Cultural, pge 23. To read full text, click here. Copies of the Plan are available at Reception in the club

All-Ireland Stage
Kate Dagg will be attempting to secure the club's first All-Ireland Girls' title since 2002 and emulate the achievement of Under 16 Doubles winners, Eimear Ní Fhallúin and Sinéad Gallogly, when she takes the court in the Under 17 Singles Final in Kilkenny on Sunday. Little enough is known of her opponent, Ulster champion Zara Girvan, but as a native of of the handballing hotbed of Carrickmore in Tyrone it can be expected that she will not be lacking in determination and self -belief. Kate has prepared well for the challenge and will be confident that all her hard work will see her through on the day. Déan do dhícheall, Kate, agus go néirí go geal leat.

All-Ireland Joy for Paul and Niall
Saturday, March 31st  provided another milestone success for Leixlip Handball Club with the victory of Paul Moran and Niall O’Connor in the Junior All-Ireland Doubles Final  over Ulster champions, Terry Kiernan and James Gavaghan of Monaghan. A first ever for the club at this level, this victory is noteworthy too in that it recalls the club’s very first All-Ireland success which was achieved, also at the Kells venue, by the Club Junior B team against Rossa of Antrim in December, 1989.

Saturday’s win was particularly satisfying not only in that it represented another major threshold crossed, but also in the manner of its achievement. Here we had two of the young stars of the new handballing generation in Leixlip achieving  top national honours at adult level and doing so with considerable skill and style. Both players have already made their mark in individual competition over the years but on this occasion it was their ability to combine those undoubted talents which was most impressive. Niall’s wonderful array of skills and in particular his precise killing and deceptively powerful passing shots were perfectly complemented by the calm assurance and excellent shot selection of his partner andit was becoming evident from early in the game that this combined firepower was likely to prove too much for the Monaghan pairing.

Following the initial skirmishing, during which scores were evenly exhanged, the Leixlip lads surged confidently ahead and though their steady scoring rate stalled for a period at 19-5, they eased out on a comfortable 21- 9 scoreline. The second game followed a broadly similar pattern with the likely outcome becoming predictable well before the referee’s final match call at 21-5. To their credit, the Ulstermen gave it their all from start to finish and can take some consolation in the fact that they lost out to a pairing who were really on their game on the day. A memorable day for Leixlip handball – Well done to Niall and Paul. Tá an gaisce déanta.   

Cumann na mBunscol Finals
The finals of the Cumann na mBunscol competition for local national schools were held in the local court over the weekend with lots of new juvenile members involved and some  excellent handball on show.  The winners go forward to represent Kildare in the Leinster Finals in Coolboy on Wednesday 18th April in Coolboy, Wicklow. Well done to Una who did a great job in organising the events over the past weeks.
Winners:
U11 Girls Singles: Leah Doyle (Scoil Eoin Phóil)
U11 Girls Doubles: Mollie Dagg/Leah Smyth (Scoil Bhríde)
U11 Boys Singles: Jamie Muddiman (Scoil Bhríde)
U11Boys Doubles: Blajez Miller/Ciaran Silke (Scoil Bhríde)

U13 Girls Singles: Sorcha Tiernan ( Scoil Bhríde)
U13 Girls Doubles: Niamh Masterson/Ciara Harrington (Scoil Eoin Phóil)
U13 Boys Singles: Cillian Ó hÓgáin (Scoil Uí Dhálaigh)
U13 Boys Doubles: Shane Smyth/Justin Flood (Scoil Bhríde)

Fahion Show Extravaganza: Well done to all who organised and supported the Fashion Fund-raiser in the club premises on Saturday night. A special word of praise to the models who provided a class spectacle.

For details of all forthcoming club fixtures click here. For weekend Club results, click here

Court Booking/Usage: Please note that court booking and usage is available only to fully paid-up members.

 

Strategic Plan Focus 3
- The Competitive Balance

"…..Within the strictly competitive sphere, we are determined that professional coaching and training programmes will be in place to ensure our players will achieve a level of preparedness that will enable them to reach their full potential and be in a position to compete with any team within the county and indeed beyond.

We realise however that these programmes can only come to fruition if they are founded on honesty of endeavour and an acceptance of individual responsibility on the part of all players.

This balance in approach has to be the bedrock of all our competitive aspirations - professional and cutting edge coaching on the part of club management and full commitment and intensity on the part of players."

- Games Development and Coaching, pge 14. (Please read full text - Click here. (Copies of the Plan are available at reception in the club)

 

All To Play For
A big day on Saturday for Paul Moran and Niall O'Connor as they contest the All-Ireland Junior Doubles Final against Ulster champions, Terry Kiernan and James Gavaghan of Monaghan, in Kells. A win here would be a milestone achievement for the club in men's All-Ireland competition and there is no doubt but that the Leixlip pairing with their skills and experience will go into battle with a realistic chance of success. The Ulster pairing can be expected to go all out to make amends for Kiernan's earlier defeat in the Singles final to Clare's Cathal Hannon, so that a victory here is likely to be very hard-earned.
Result: Paul/Niall dft.Kiernan/Gavaghan 21-9; 21-5. Comhghairdeas, Lads

Also on Saturday, the finals of the Cumann na mBunscol competition take place in the home court and feature all four local National Schools. Go n-éirí an t-ádh leo go léir


Kate goes through
Kate Dagg secured her place in the All-Ireland U17 singles decider when she had a comprehensive win over Munster representative, Shannon Hennessey in their semi-final clash in Broadford, Limerick on Sunday 25th March. Kate was never really tested against a very inexperienced opponent but she showed her skills throughout and gave every indication that she is well up for what will surely be a much tougher contest in the decider in Kilkenny on April 8th April. The final score was 21-2; 21-1.

It was a case of mixed fortunes for the Dagg sisters however, as Hannah bowed out in the U14 semi against a tough and determined Kerry player, Aileen Twomey. With a clear edge in skills and range of shots, Hannah took the first game 15-11 and appeared to be in a commanding position to close out the match. She was unable to maintain her momentum however and while it was touch and go throughout the second game, the Munster girl came through on a similar scoreline and with renewed confidence went on to take the tiebreak game and the match 15-8.

Congratulations to our Community Games girls who had a very easy Leinster Final win against Wexford in Carlow on Sunday. The Leixlip team now goes on to represent Kildare in the All-Ireland Finals in May.

Congratulations also to Mickey Dowling who took his third successive Golden Masters Singles title when he defeated Sligo's Francie McCann 21-12, 21-7 in Curraghboy on Sunday.

Senior Footballers lose out to Moorefield in League opener. For weekend Club results, click here

Photo: Leinster CommunityGames Champions, Leah, Sorcha, Niamh and Mollie with Coach Paula Doyle and Community Games Organiser, Nora McDermott

 

Brady Brilliance: For a report on what was one of the greatest ever exhibitions of handball, click here

 

Strategic Plan Focus 2
- An Inclusive Approach

"….. we will do our utmost to ensure that all players, of all ages and regardless of ability, who wish to play for the club in any code, will have the opportunity to do so.

Every effort will be made to ensure also that their experience will be rewarding and enhancing and that they themselves, through their attitude and commitment, will make their individual contributions to the identity and well-being of the club and, indeed, the wider Leixlip community."

- Games Development and Coaching, pge 14. (To read full text, click here. Copies of the Plan are available at Reception in the club)

Comórtas Aon-Bhalla UCD
Cluiche Leathcheannais: Niall O'Connor/Stephen Cooney dft. Mark McGowan/Paul Fitzpatrick 25-14
Cluiche Ceannais: Niall/Stephen lost to Diarmuid Nash/Niall Malone 27-31

Comhghairdeas le Martin Mulkerrins a d'eagraigh an comórtas.

Another Big Weekend
The prospect of an All-Ireland Final appearance beckons for the Dagg sisters, Kate and Hannah, on Sunday 25th March when as Leinster champions, they take on the Munster winners at the semi-final stage in Broadford, Limerick. Hannah takes on Kerry's Aileen Twomey, whom she has already overcome in this year's Nationals, while Kate is opposed by the Limerick representative, Shannon Hayes. Both Leixlip girls have prepared well for these encounters and will be hopeful of a place in the final showdown on April 8th in Kilkenny.

In the home court, Cumann na mBunscol activity has taken centre stage in the recent period while also our Community Games team of Sorcha Tiernan, Leah Doyle, Mollie Dagg, Ciara Harrington and Niamh Masterson have been finalising their preparations for the Leinster finals in Carlow at the weekend.

Good luck to all the girls and also to another very worthy Kildare representative, Ballymore's Mickey Dowling, who takes on Sligo veteran Francis McCann in the Golden Masters Final in Curraghboy, Roscommon, on Saturday 24th (second game on a programme commencing at 4.00pm)

On the wider front, the Club's Senior Footballers get their League campaign under way with an outing against the formidable Moorefield in Moorefield. For details of forthcoming fixtures click here. For recent results, click here

 

Court Booking/Usage: Please note that from March 31st, court booking and usage will be available only to fully paid-up members.

 

Well Done, Lisa
Congratulations to Lisa Tobin who has just won the big prize in the GAA Handball Draw which took place at Congress in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday 18th March. For details of Lisa's exciting prize, click here

 

Champions 2012
Leixlip's six Leinster title-winning juvenile players: Back; Sorcha, Niamh, Kate, Hannah. Front; Leah and Mollie. Comhghairdeachas leo.

Hannah and Kate go on in quest of All-Ireland honours when they take on the Munster champions, Aileen Twomey (Kerry) and Shannon Hayes (Clare), in the semi-finals in Broadford, Limerick, on Sunday, 25th March.

At adult level, provincial champions Paul and Niall, following their great win in Cork last weekend, have already made it to final day on the 31st March, when they take on Ulster winners, Terry Kiernan and James Gavaghan (Monaghan). Go n-éirí an t-ádh leo ceathrar is go mbeire siad bua. Cumann na mBunscol familiarisation sessions were held Monday to Thursday with a very satisfactory turn-out. Competitions proper take place during the coming week and full details will follow.

Well done to the Club's Minor footballers who have won their fifth consecutive game in the Kildare League and have now qualified for the semi-finals of the competition.

Well done also to our Scór set dancers who have also qualified for All-Ireland action following their success last week in the Leinster Finals.

Strategic Plan Focus: First and Last
First:
"I believe strongly in this plan and I intend to lead the process of implementation as vigorously as I can over the coming period. I ask all of you to join with me in this exciting venture" - Robbie Murphy, Chairman, in his statement - pge 4. For Full Statement click here

Last:
"Club leadership is clearly identified as having the primary role in the successful implementation of the plan. However, at its most fundamental level, the successful carry-through of the vision and strategy set out in this document is the responsibility of each and every member of Leixlip GAA Club." - Monitoring and Implementation - pge 39. (To read full text, click here. Copies of the Plan are available at Reception in the Club)

Excellent Return on Weekend Action
A bumper weekend of handball action brought a rich harvest of four Leinster titles for Leixlip’s juveniles, together with a hard-earned but fully deserved passage to an All-Ireland final for the club’s Junior Doubles pairing. These outcomes followed a series of consistent performances with excellent skills on show throughout.Leinster Juvenile Finals
Friday March  9th  at Tinryland (Carlow) 
U14S   Hannah Dagg dft. Lauren Farrelly (Meath) 15-4; 15-0. Hannah was much too smart and experienced for her opponent and paraded a lovely range of skills as well

U16S   Áine O’Keeffe lost to Kirsty Maher (Kilkenny) 21-18; 14-21; 7-11. This was a great battle with the outcome in doubt right to the end. Leading 11-7 in the second having won the first, it looked like victory for Áine but Kirsty recovered to bring the match to a tiebreak and to go on to take the title.

Saturday March 10th at Tinryland 
U12D: Mollie Dagg / Niamh Masterson  dft. Eva Creane / Emer Phelan (Wexford) 1-15; 15-2;15-1. A slow start, followed by the by the kind of classy handball we know Mollie and Niamh can play

U13S:  Sorcha Tiernan dft. Jessie Morrissey (Wexford) 15-5; 15-3. Great composure and determination from Sorcha for a convincing win

U15S:  Saoirse Sunderland lost to  Chloe Cash (Wexford) 8-15; 6-15. The scoreline doesn't reflect the closeness of an excellent contest, with the hard-hitting Wexford girl having just too much for a very game Saoirse

U12S: Leah Doyle  dft.  Cora Doyle (Wexford) 15-4; 15-7. Leah eased her way through against a promising opponent, drawing frequent bursts of applause along the way for the excellence of her skills

All-Ireland Championhips
Saturday  March 10th In Ballydesmond (Cork ) 
Junior Doubles: Semi-Final: Paul Moran/Niall O’Connor dft. Donnacha O’Dea/ Shane Hedigan (Cork) 18-21; 21-16; 21-13. This was a great win for Paul and Niall who had to dig really deep following a first game loss to come through against a very competent Cork pairing in their home court. The Ballydesmond/Liscarroll combination had been the choice of many to take All-Ireland honours this year and with the first game under their belts and local support behind them, they looked odds on to do it. The Leixlip lads were not to be denied however and their excellent skills and great determination eventually won out in a nail-biting encounter. Apart from the prize of qualification for All-Ireland Final Day, this victory and the nature of its achievement will go a good way towards avenging the disappointing loss to Liscarroll in last year's All-Ireland Club Final.
Photos: Saoirse (top left with U15 Leinster champion, Chloe Cash) and Áine (bottom right with U16 winner, Kirsty Maher). Both Leixlip girls made an excellent contribution to the overall club effort

Seachtain Chumann na mBunscol
Local competition: Monday 12th March to Thursday 15th March, 6.00pm - 8.00pm each night .
Luan: Scoil Bhríde
Máirt: Scoil Mhuire
Céadaoin: Scoil Eoin Phóil
Déardaoin: Scoil Uí Dhálaigh.
Bígí ann le bhur dtacaíocht a thabhairt!

Daly Comes Through
A really determined performance, laced with periods of top quality handball from Anna Spence was still not enough to halt the march of reigning Ladies Senior Champion, Maria Daly, in this year's quarter-final clash in Mullingar on Tuesday 6th March. Daly's speed, shot placement and clinical efficiency enabled her to control long periods of play and to establish commanding leads in both games of her 21-14; 21-10 match win. However, Anna battled with great determination to reduce the deficits and her serving variations and good kill rate had the Kerry girl rattled on many occasions. In the end it was not to be and Daly went on to win with what was overall an impressive display in a high quality game.

Girls Excel
Leixlip's girls were in fine form when they made it a clean sweep against Kilkenny opposition in the Leinster semi-finals in the O’Loughlins GAA centre on Saturday 3rd March. All five can take satisfaction from their performances which ensured convincing wins at U12 Singles and Doubles, U14 Singles and U15 Singles, thus booking places in the provincial deciders which take place on Saturday 10th March. Skill levels were excellent all through and this was well supported by effort and commitment which produced lots of  top quality handball in all four games.  
Hannah Dagg in particular gave a wonderfully assured display against the promising Aoife Holden while Leah, Niamh, Mollie and Saoirse were little behind as they registered convincing wins. The girls will now be joined by Sorcha Tiernan at U13 Singles and Áine O’Keeffe at U16 Singles for next week’s finals
No luck for the boys, however, as they exited the competition at semi-final stage, also against Kilkenny opposition, in Clogh on Friday evening.  Both games were closely- fought affairs which saw Sean Muddiman at U14 Singles and the Kevin Diggins/Jack Tobin pairing at U14Doubles in commanding positions at various stages. However they were unable to maintain momentum and in the end had to give best to the competent Noresiders.

Winners Mollie and Niamh with their Kilkenny counterparts
Results:
O' Loughlins, Kilkenny:
U14S:   Kildare (Hannah Dagg) dft. Kilkenny (Aoife Holden) 15-6; 15-1
U15S:   Kildare (Saoirse Sunderland) dft. Kilkenny (Karen Walshe) 15-8; 15-9
U12D:  Kildare (Mollie Dagg / Niamh Masterson) dft. Kilkenny (Margaret Foley / Edel Mulholland)  15-5; 15-3
U12S:  Kildare (Leah Doyle) dft. Kilkenny (Dearbhail O’Keeffe) 15-0; 15-1
Clogh, Kilkenny:
U14S.  Kilkenny (Shane Dunne)  dft. Kildare (Sean Muddiman) 15-11; 15-10
U14D.  Kilkenny (Mark Purcell / Roy Cullen)  dft.  Kildare (Kevin Diggins / JackTobin) 15-10; 15-11

Best of Luck to Anna Spence in her important outing in the Ladies Open on Tuesday against reigning All-Ireland champion, Maria Daly.

 

Coaches
- For some excellent material on fitness fundamentals for handball, click here
- for detailed information on sports nutrition, click here

Club Coaching Programme - Click here

Fixturewatch
Court users should bear in mind that official fixtures take precedence over court bookings. Forthcoming fixtures in Leixlip will be posted on this site and bookings therefore should be checked by reference to these updates. It is also advisable to recheck as fixtures are, unfortunately, frequently changed
Forthcoming:

No Fixtures Notified

Clár 2012

For full details of all the major competitions and events for 2012, click here