The yearly John O’Keeffe memorial cup took place on Sunday 1st Dec at Mallow Handball club. This prestige’s event to commemorate one of our founding fathers was entering its 4th successive year and is a coveted prize amongst the seasoned members of the club and one in which the winner has certain bragging rights for the year. This year again saw a strong line up from the senior section of the club with some younger members also being blooded for the event.
First in Ryan Harkin & John O’Neill facing Patrick Herlihy & Eoghan Sheehan. This proved to be a very interesting combination with both teams excelling and showing their class at different times during the match, so much so that a tie breaker was needed to separate them at the finish with Ryan & John advancing to the next round.
Tadhg Carroll & Padraig Buckley came in next and were pitted against Ciaran Buckley & Darragh Moynihan. Again both teams gelled together very well with Padraig especially for someone so new to the game completely excelling to a level that could not have been anticipated beforehand. Again a tie breaker was needed to separate with Ciaran & Darragh just shading it on this occasion.
Ken O’Neill & David Walsh also mentor & student behind the scenes took on Dale Cusack & Mick Conroy. This was a titanic battle one in which both sets played to win however Mick & Dale just about managed to come out on top.
Killian Carroll & John Kelly fought against Darren Whelan & Patrick Herlihy in their first encounter with both sides giving it there all and showing a great deal of class and style throughout the rallies however it was Killian & John who were to advance this time.
Ryan Harkin & John O’Neill now came up against a previous year’s winner in Killian Carroll who was partnering up with John Kelly. This match up proved to be a very tactical affair with both parties aiming and hitting the bottom block on numerous occasions with extreme accuracy. However it was Killian & John to advance after a hard fought battle.
Ciaran Buckley & Darragh now faced Dale Cusack & Mick Conroy. This affair was to be a very close encounter with Dale and Mick excelling in the first however Ciaran and Darragh excelled also in the second, holding on to that momentum just about in the third and winning out by the narrowest of margins in the tie breaker.
After a tremendous display of skill, fitness and stamina right throughout the day it came down to the final of Ciaran Buckley & Darragh Moynihan taking on the might of Killian Carroll & John Kelly. With both teams so close to the end it was expected to be a tough battle with both pairings showing extreme skill throughout the day. And fortunately for the crowd that gathered this was to continue right to the bitter end. Killian & John took the first just about, however Ciaran & Darragh had not battled hard all day for nothing and they took the second. Like so many games previous it was to be decided with a tie breaker. On this occasion though it was John & Killian who got the better start in the tie breaker and managed to hold on to that lead winning out in the end.
A special thanks goes out to Maureen O’Keeffe and family for commissioning this tournament and also being present on the day. This tournament brings out the best in each and every player who participates and is very much held in high esteem throughout the year.
Also a big thanks to all the backroom staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to feed and water all spectators and players with top quality grub throughout the day it really is appreciated and makes the occasions even more special. Till next year.!!!