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Handball Happenings in Leixlip - 30th April, 2012

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

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.

For up-to-date information on handball in Leixlip, check into www.leixliphandball.ie