Good year for DCU Handballers

The 2008/09 college year was a successful one for the handball club starting with the B team of Cairan O’Suilleabhan, Cathal Walsh and James and Dave Smith claiming 60×30 gold in Sligo last October.

O’Suilleabhan and Smith deserve special mention for their success in reaching the B doubles final in the US collegiates - one of the highlights of the year.

Club President Eugene Kennedy and former DCU ace Eugene O’Reilly kept the good name of the club at the forefront of the handball elite in bringing back US open titles in October.

James Brady (Mens A) and Orla Gaffney (Women’s Challenger) took titles in the ICHA 40×20 championship in Kingscourt in early February.

At the US Men’s Intermediate and Women’s Challenger, Cathal Walsh and Marina Kilduff were able to bring the titles back across the Atlantic, and for their efforts were rewarded with a sporting performance award at the clubs and societies ceremony.

Turning to the present, Peter Flanagan will soon play his namesake Peter Whelan in the Dublin Junior 40×20 final.

Brian O’Sullivan who will face the up and coming Dublin prodigy Corey Fay in the Junior 2 final.

It’s an all DCU final with the winner of the delayed semi final between duel star Paddy Rowsome and Colm ‘Ducksy’ Grace set to face current DCU club chairman Stephan Travers in what should be a cracking contest either way in the Junior B final.

The club can look forward to next year with high expectations following the growth of the club over the year.

It is hoped they can turn the recent progess into more success with victories in the 60×30 intervarsities in Wexford in October and the 40×20 team event in Tralee in November.