Well done to Jim Ryan and Jim O'Brien in winning their respective All Irelands last weekend. Jim Ryan secured a remarkable 13th All Ireland title by beating Galway's Morgan Darcy on a score line of 21-11, 21-12 in Tulla last Sunday. Jim had to dig deep to take charge of the first game as the Galway man got off to a great start. After being 9-2 down, Jim's supreme focus and quality passing shots helped him level it at 9-9 and from there on he controlled and closed out the first game. In the second, Jim was dominant throughout and secured the title to a rapturous applause. In Leixlip on Saturday, Jim O'Brien secured his first All Ireland title in the Silver Masters grade when he beat Down's, Sean McNally. The final was in jeopardy when three weeks ago in the semi final against Wexford, Jim suffered a serious tear to his right calf muscle but took his chances and decided to play last Saturday. After a bad start in the first game he grinded out a narrow win to take it 21-17. In the second game Jim was well ahead but the Down man rallied to level the game at 15 all. Jim's grit and determination proved to be the difference and sealed the win on a score line of 21-18. It’s a massive achievement for the club and for the players to secure two All Ireland titles and it's a milestone in Silvermines Handball.  

Silvermines Handball Report - March 15th 2012

 
The 40X20 Championship is in the final stages and Silvermines men, Jim O'Brien and Jim Ryan have fought their way to secure an All Ireland final place over the coming weeks. Jim Ryan playing in the Ruby grade this year, is chasing he's 13th All Ireland title. In the Munster final he easily over came Clare's, John Kirby and on March 3rd he defeated former senior player, Kilkenny's Paddy Reilly in the All Ireland Semi. Jim also secured a Diamond Doubles Munster title with Denis Gleeson by beating local pair Jim Quinn and Gary Howard but were beaten by Carlow in the All Ireland Semi last Saturday in Garryhill. Jim will now meet Galway's Morgan Darcy in the final. After been beaten in the 2011 All Ireland final Jim O'Brien has also secured his final spot in the Silver Masters B grade. On he's path to the final he beat Clare's John Nihill in the Munster semi and Limerick's John Ryan in the final. A week after retaining he's singles Munster crown he was partnered by Lahorna's Paul Maher in the doubles but narrowly lost to Limerick in the Munster final. He faced a tough challenge in Wexford on March 3rd in the All Ireland semi final when he was taken to a third game by Wexford's Mick Armstrong but emerged winner beating Wexford 21-7 in the decider. Jim will now face Down's, Sean McNally in the final. Venue and times of both finals tba.
 
In Juvenile circles we had a great finish to the year with the club finals held in Dolla 2 weeks ago. In the girls U10 Rachel Shanahan defeated Orla Maher 11-7, 11-7, Claire Ryan defeated Katie Murphy and Caoibhe Ryan to reach the final but in the final Rachel Shanahan defeated Claire 11-7, 11-6. In the U11 final Sarah Madden defeated Eimear Tuohy 11-9, 11-9 and in the U15/16 final Laura Moloney defeated Megan Timmons 11-15, 15-7, 15-9. In the boys U9's we had 2 outstanding semi finals with Brian Leamy defeating David Ryan 11-9, 11-5 and Geard Leamy defeating Conor Quigley 11-5, 11-7. In the final there was nothing between Gerard and Brian with Gerard shading it 11-7, 11-9.  U10 Boys, Conor Mcelvey defeated Cathal Mcgrath 11-5,11-7 while Michael Corcoran defeated Conor Ryan 11-7, 11-8. Conor Mcelvey defeated Mark Leamy 11-4, 11-6 and in the final Conor  defeated Michael Corcoran 11-7 in both games. In the U11 semi-final Fionn Mulqueen over came Oisin Murphy 11-6, 11-5. In the U12 grade Ciaran Timmons narrowly beat Joe Keyes and Sean Spillane to reach the final while on the other side Darragh McElvey was proving to be a contenter after beating Sean Hogan and Hughie Leamy on the way. The final was held on Saturday but McElvey had too much for the Lissenhall man taking the U12 crown for 2012. In the U13 boys final we had a straight final with Capparoe's Ruari Maher taking a comprehensive U13 title over Ger Corcoran. In what was one of the most exciting grades, the U14's produced some very good games. Harry Sheedy was unlucky not to bring Patrick Leamy to a 3rd game after a solid display but Patrick had too much in the tank and booked a final spot. Mark Daniels and Daniel Ryan had a very competitive game but Mark won to also book a place in the final. Mark defeated Patrick 11-5, 11-9 which was one of the day's best finals.   
In the U16's Niall Ryan and Peter Kennedy went head to head in the quarter final but Peter proved too strong with some good serving making the difference. Daniel Ryan steped up a grade to the U16's to play Jack Sheedy but Dan had that edge to progress and meet David Shanahan in the semi. David was under presure in the first game but the earlier evenings games took its toll on Dan in the second. David eventually ran out winner and faced Peter Kennedy in the final on Saturday which was one of the best juvenile games held in Dolla in many years. It was grit and determination personified from both players but David took the 2012 U16 title winning 15-14 in the third game. David was presented with the Jim Ryan Cup afterwards where he duly acknowledged his opponent. Well done to all players, coaches and guardian's for making the finals such a success.