Published: Wednesday, 16th December, 2009 5:00pm

Cunningham retains A Singles crown in style

LOCAL hero Raymond Cunningham retained his Kingscourt Open A Singles title today (Sunday) with a hard-fought final win over Terry Kiernan (Carrickmacross).

Former Cavan senior footballer Cunningham, a multiple All Ireland champion, slipped 10-0 behind to a fired-up Kiernan in the decider of the 20-minute, blitz-style event.

However, utilising a useful three-corner serve, Cunningham slowly but surely pegged his way back, levelling at 14 all to a huge roar form the home crowd.

Dominating centre-court and forcing the super-fit Monaghan man to scurry around the back to return the ball, Cunningham kicked on, pulling 17-14 ahead with three trademark right corner fly kills.

Kiernan continued to hustle gamely but former All Ireland Under 21 winner Cunningham had too many classy shots in his repertoire and eventually closed out the match on a 24-16 scoreline.

Earlier, Cunningham defeated Paul Fitzpatrick 28-22 in the semi-final. The Kingscourt man, playing the more- controlled handball, led early on only to be caught at 21.

Cunningham upped the ante and pulled away in the final two minutes to set up the final against Kiernan, who stunned favourite Patrick Clerkin in the other semi-final.

In the B Singles final, racquetball specialist Martin McConnon pipped improving 18-year-old left-hander Marcus Sheridan by 22-20, while Conor O'Reilly played some excellent handball to come through a strong field to take the C Singles in style.

The win was 17-year-old O'Reilly's first in an adult tournament and bodes well for the Crosserlough lad, who has worked hard on his game at St Patrick's College.

Another promising Crosserlough player, 15-year-old Adrian Smith, almost pulled off the shock of the tournament when he came within three points of Marcus Sheridan in the group stage of the B Singles. Cathal Sheridan, Fionn O'Donoghue and Ciaran Jones - three more of the dozen Under 18s in the event - all also impressed against older opposition.

Next up on the local scene is the county 40x20 championships, which will take place in mid January in Kingscourt (date TBC).

•Thanks to Michael Finnegan and all at Kingscourt Handball Club for their hospitality.