Three Cavan players in Ulster finals

Handball

Another busy weekend of handball action is in store as Cavan players go for Ulster titles in several grades.

In Junior A Singles, Joe Dillon - fresh from a great win in an excellent semi-final against clubmate Cormac McMahon - takes on Tyrone’s Paddy McCrory in the Ulster final at Breacach, Co Tyrone.

The former county footballer and racquetball star has turned his attentions to handball in recent weeks and has been in exceptional form. Dillon’s power and athleticism, allied to a good handball brain, have seen him defeat rising young Tyrone player Cahir Munroe, All-Ireland Junior B champion Oran Kiernan (Carrickmacross) and Kingscourt’s McMahon in what must be regarded as one of the most difficult runs to an Ulster junior final.

Standing in his way is Carrickmore’s McCrory, a fast and aggressive right-hander and a former underage stand-out. A great game is expected.

In Junior B Singles, Conor Owens was the last Cavanman standing after a few gruelling weeks of action. Monaghan’s Stephen Shanahan, a native of Limerick, took the scalps of Cian McManus and Adam Crosbie, both in close tiebreakers, en route to the final.

Owens advanced to the semi-finals in the top half of the draw, where he lost out to Tyrone’s Matthew McCartan; Conor unfortunately was not at his best on the night due to a recent illness.

Meanwhile, in the Masters grades, Vincent Mulvey’s big win over Down’s Shane Kelly sees him advance to the Golden Masters B Singles final. Mulvey turned in an exceptional performance to beat the experienced Kelly 21-5, 21-7 and he will now meet Belfast man Sean McGurn in the Ulster final.

Also in action on that card is Dwayne Leggett. A former superb juvenile, the Kilnaleck man has returned to handball after a long hiatus and showed his class in recent local events. He was handed a bye in the first round in Ulster, which is not ideal preparation, but the competitive and athletic Cavanman should be in with a great shout against Antrim’s Daniel McVicker in the Silver Masters B Singles Ulster final.

All three finals involving the Cavanmen take place in Breacach Handball Club, Beragh on Saturday, with the action starting at 10am in the two-court complex.

When the singles grades have concluded, the Ulster doubles will serve off. The county committee also intend to complete the delayed 2020 county championships on a date to be confirmed following the conclusion of provincial and national competitions in the 40x20 court.