Ciarán Neary and past lecturer Eugene Kennedy flew the DCU flag with distinction at the recent World Handball Championships, as both handballers climbed the podium following outright success in their respective categories.
Kilkenny native Neary teamed up with Mícheál Ó Brien in overcoming Tadgh Carroll and Dale Cusack in a tie-break in the Men’s Doubles B final. The Business graduate also came close to capturing a double of Doubles, but he, along with partner Shane Brody, just lost out in the One Wall ‘C’ Doubles.
Current president of the DCU handball club, Eugene Kennedy, was successful in the singles and doubles in the Masters level.
Also on the podium were DCU students, Leona Ryder and Clodagh McMenamin, both of whom reached their respective finals; Ryder was defeated in the final of the Doubles event, while McMenamin was edged out in the decider of her B Singles final.
Peter Hughes, a St. Patrick’s Mater Dei student who represents DCU, reached the semi-finals of the A Division.
Amongst the other DCU students who competed at the Citywest Hotel was Gavin Cawley, who competed in the 40×20 Men’s Singles, as well as the One-Wall competition, where he reached the last 16 before being defeated on a scoreline of 15-8.
Commenting on the experience of the Championship, Cawley said; “The atmosphere in the Citywest was very good. It was packed every day and the facilities were great. Overall, it was a great experience and many new friendships were formed over the 10-day competition.”
In all, 11 handballers from DCU competed at the Citywest Hotel; Leona Ryder, Clodagh McManamon, Marina Kilduff, Terry McElvaney, Gavin Cawley, Paudy McKenna, John Walsh, Peter Hughes, Conor O’Gorman, Donal Wrynn and the aforementioned Ciarán Neary.
Darragh McGhee
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