It was a disappointing outing for DCU’s Handball team at the 60X30 Intervarsities in Kilkenny this year, with the Glasnevin based college coming away with only one winner from the tournament.
Of the nine that made the trip to the three day event, which commenced October 17th, only one walked away with an intervarsity title.
Emma Doherty, in her first intervarsity, claimed the Women’s B Singles contest after overcoming UCC’s Emer Lynch in two games.
Doherty won the first game comprehensively, 21-5, but was made to work hard in the second, edging Lynch 21-17.
Doherty the teamed up with two time Senior All- Ireland champion, Aishling O’Keefe, for the Women’s Open doubles final. The duo, however, came up short against Trinity College’s Ciara Mahon and Lisa McKenna.
O’Keefe also took on Mahon in the earlier Women’s Open Final. Despite rushing to a 9-1 lead in game one, Mahon came back to take the first game 21-9. Mahon won the second game on the same scoreline.
Kyle Duff was the strongest of the men’s competitors, winning the Division C Men’s Single in a thrilling 3 game encounter with GMIT’s Stephen McNicholas.
Duff narrowly lost out in the first game 21-20, but surged back with a 21-12 victory in game two. Duff then cruised to victory in the final tie break game, an 11-0 win, handing him a first Intervarsity title.
The Men’s team didn’t fair too well either, with four students competing in the Divison A Men’s Open. John Walsh, Cian Ó’Dálaigh and Jamie Joyce all had disappointing runs, none of whom reaching the final.
Corey Fay was the only remaining team member in the competition and managed to secure a place in the final against UL’s Peter Flanagan.
A tight opening game saw Fay fall narrowly short, losing out 21-17. The second was more straight forward and Flanagan cruised to a 21-5 victory.
Aishling O’Keefe and Cian Roche
Image Credit: Aishling O’Keefe
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