Cavan's Ben Devlin impresses in decider
Ben action
It was a case of the familiar and the new at the Irish Wallball Senior Singles finals in Clough-Balacolla, Co Laois last Sunday.
Limerick’s Martina McMahon has been the dominant force in all codes of the game over the last three seasons and the left-hander continued that amazing run of form as she swept to victory over Westmeath’s Aoife McCarthy.
In the Men’s Senior Singles final, Cavan’s Ben Devlin picked up his first major Open title as he played the best handball of his career. The Louth native, playing out of the Kingscourt club in the Breffni county, was in tremendous form as he set himself up well for the World Wallball Championships in New York, which serve off on September 14.
Devlin produced an excellent performance to defeat Tyrone’s Sean Kerr 15-10, 15-5 having earlier seen off Team Ireland player Fiachra Ó Dúill in the semi-final.
The victory was particularly significant for Devlin, who admitted he had struggled at the recent Irish Wallball Nationals in Galway.
“I came in here with no pressure on me and I probably played the best handball I have played in a good while. I played with a bit of freedom and I'm delighted to get this win,” he said.
“I have lost countless finals to Conor (McElduff), Fiachra has beaten me a few times so this one means a lot.
“The whole summer I have been training a lot, I had my eye on New York. I put in a very poor performance in the Nationals, below my standard, although Cian (Dunning) was fantastic against me.
“I definitely should have put in a better performance. I probably play a wee bit better when there's less pressure on me.
“I'm really delighted to get this win, this is my biggest win and I'm looking forward to New York in two weeks' time. Everyone knows the New Yorkers are the best in the world so it will be good to go out and test myself against the best.”
In the Ladies final, Limerick’s Martina McMahon continued her outstanding run of form with a 15-14, 15-4 victory over Aoife McCarthy in the final.
McMahon had overcome Fiona Tully in the semi-final, while Mullingar’s McCarthy booked her place in the decider with victory over Eilise McCrory.
The opening game of the final was on a knife-edge, with McMahon particularly impressed by her opponent’s serving.
“Her serves were unbelievable. I know now what people feel like when they're returning my serve,” McMahon said.
“She played a very good game. I think a lot of people under-estimate her ability. As you saw in the first game, it could have gone either way.”
McMahon is enjoying a superb season and is hoping to carry that momentum to the World Championships, where she and McCarthy will represent Ireland in the Open Doubles.
“These are the days you dream of. I don't want this train to stop any time soon, so long may it last.
“We're looking forward to New York, we're going to give it our best.
“It's a cliché, you take every tournament as it comes. I set out at the start of the year with goals. I didn't get to play the 40x20 so that was disappointing but it was just next game up.
“I'm happy enough with how the year is going but still a lot of months left. The main thing is to stay focused and keep going.”
There was plenty of drama in the Minor grades too. Galway’s Ella Sweeney (Annaghdown) won the Ladies Minor Singles title after a tiebreak victory over Clare’s Claire Minogue.
Armagh’s Cormac Walters, from Clann Éireann, took the Men’s Minor Singles crown, edging Longford’s Thomas Finn 11-10 in a dramatic tiebreaker.