Reigning All Ireland champion
Martin Mulkerrins is one game away from a return to the All-Ireland final after
he beat Wexford’s Gavin Buggy in their All Ireland quarter final clash last
Saturday in Cullohill, Laois. The Moycullen man was in impressive form as he
beat his opponent 21-8 21-5. The win sets up a mouth watering clash between
Mulkerrins and Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy in the All-Ireland semi-final next
weekend. McCarthy beat the Galway man in their semi final clash at the Irish
Nationals less than a month ago before he won the tournament. On the other side
of the draw, number one seed Diarmuid Nash of Clare faces first time
semi-finalist Patrick Funchion of Kilkenny.
Mulkerrins and Heffernan among those in All-Ireland
Finals
The All-Ireland semi finals of
the other age categories saw five Galway players reach All-Ireland finals in
their age grade. On International Women’s Day, Niamh Heffernan travelled to
Tyrone to take on home player Mairead Fox. The Claregalway woman outclassed her
opponent to set up what will be a cracking final against Kildare’s Leah Doyle.
On Saturday, Morgan Darcy, Kieran
Hanley and Eimear Ni Bhiadha all secured their All-Ireland final places in the
over 70 singles, Silver Masters B Singles and Ladies Junior Singles
respectively. Ni Bhiadha won a Connacht title on Thursday before travelling to
Tyrone and winning her semi final. Diarmuid Mulkerrins beat Dean Fox of Antrim
to secure an impressive win on a final score of 21-1 21-6.
Ladies Minor Singles: Niamh
Heffernan v Mairead Fox (Tyrone) 21-7 21-8
Diamond Masters A Singles: Martin Conneely v Thomas Maguire (Antrim) 7-21 5-8 inj
Emerald Masters B Singles: Brendan McNeela v Sean McNally (Down) 8-21 9-21
O70s: Morgan Darcy
v Seamus Graham (Antrim) 21-17 21-15
Silver Masters B Singles: Seamus McRory (Tyrone) v Kieran Hanley 18-21 21-18 4-21
Ladies Junior Singles:
Caitlin Conway (Tyrone) v Eimear Ni Biadha 14-21 20-21
U21s: Dean Fox
(Antrim) v Diarmuid Mulkerrins 1-21 6-21
Junior Singles:
Jordan O Neill v Seamus Conneely 8-21 10-21
Ten Galway Players
Progress to Juvenile All-Ireland Finals
Galway players reached All-Irelands in six different age
grades as Galway players impressed on a busy day of All-Ireland semi final
action. Mikey Kelly and Emma Kinane both progressed while the doubles pairings
of Leah Ni Mhainnin and Cliodhna Ni Chonghaile, Eadaoin Nic Dhonnacha and Skylyn
Ni Mhaille, Amanda Ni Bhradaigh and Meabh Ni Chualain while Cathal& Dara Ó
Laoire won their All-Ireland semi finals also.
Girls
U14 Doubles: Leah Ni Mhainnin/Cliodhna Ni Chonghaile
(Galway) dft Aoibheann
McCluskey/Fiona Flood (Monaghan) 15-10 15-4
Girls
U16 Doubles: Galway (Eadaoin Nic Dhonnacha/Skylyn Ni
Mhaille) dftEithne
Boyle/Sarah Laverty (Monaghan) 21-1 21-0
Girls
U15 Doubles Amanda Ni Bhradaigh/Meabh Ni Chualain
(Galway) dft Aoibheann
Daly/Aoibheann Gallagher (Tyrone) 15-4 15-2
Girls
U16 Singles: Sadhbh Ni Fhlaithearta (Galway) dft Clodagh Munroe (Tyrone) 15-21 8-21
Boys
U15 Doubles: Cathal & Dara Ó Laoire (Galway) dft Matthew Smith/Cormac Flynn (Cavan) 15-9 15-10
Girls
U14 Singles: Emma Kinane (Galway) dft Dearbhail Fox (Tyrone)
Boys
U14 Doubles: Oliver
McCrystal/Adam McKenna (Cavan)dftSean Stafford/Ewan
Hynes (Galway)
Boys
U16 Singles: Mikey Kelly (Galway) dftTiernan O'Rourke (Monaghan)
Boys
U16 Doubles: Jack
Darcy/Conor Owens (Tyrone) dft David Donohoe/Liam Davoren (Galway)
