Cullohill fly flag for Laois Handball at Feile na nGael 2016

Cullohill fly flag for Laois Handball at Feile na nGael 2016

The John West Féile na nGael 2016 Handball competition played the weekend before last provided great entertainment and skills for all the many spectators and clubs who travelled in their droves to venues across Tipperary and Waterford. Cullohill entered four teams in this year’s competition with the boys’ teams being placed in Division 3 and Division 6 and the girls’ teams competing in Division 1 and 3.

Having been placed in the highest division in the girls’ competition, Cullohill faced the daunting prospect of overcoming clubs such as Tuamgraney (Clare) and Loughmacrory (Tyrone) if they were to capture a national club title. The Laois girls proved a match for every side in their division and finished level on points with Loughmacrory after the completion of the group games. However, after a count back of aces scored, it was the Tyrone club who had the greater number and they progressed to the Division 1 final. Cullohill had to make do with the consolation of a place in the plate final against Leixlip of Kildare. In the plate final, the Cullohill girls gave a masterful display of skill to defeat Leixlip on a scoreline of 29-19. This success was to add to the success of the girls Division 3 team who were victorious in the Division 3 plate final with a thrilling win against Conna of Cork.

In the boys’ Division 3 competition, the Cullohill team played some fantastic handball in the group stages and marked themselves out as serious contenders for the title. The team deservingly booked a place in the final against the equally impressive Boherbue of Cork. It proved to be an excellent final between two quality sides with superb handball being played throughout. Despite Cullohill’s best efforts, it was the Cork side that eventually prevailed 30-17. In the Division 6 competition, Cullohill were unlucky to miss out on a place in the plate final. However there was some consolation with Cullohill’s Jim O’Connor displaying incredible composure to win the Division 6 skills competition.

Laois GAA Handball would like to thank all the volunteers, coaches, parents and sponsors who contributed to the success of our players at this year’s Feile na nGael. It was a remarkable achievement to see the Cullohill girls’ team place third overall in the country and the boys’ team reach a divisional final.