CARLOW JUVENILE handballers had a very successful weekend in O'Loughlins Kilkenny when they won nine of the twelve matches played.

First into the court was Garryhill's Damien Jordan in the u12s where he put on a fine display of handball to defeat Mark Purcell 15-4 and 15-5

In the U13S Paddy Shanahan (G) played the only non Kilkenny opponent when he defeated Meath's Jonathon McGovern. The Carlowman played superb handball to win his match on a score of 15-2 and 15-11

Jim O'Leary (G) got a fright in his match when he was brought to a third game by the lively Brian Mahon from Kilkenny, Jim won the first game 15-9 after trailing 60. He lost the second in a thriller on a score of 14-15 but in the third the Carlowman put on a display of top class handball to win 15-4.

A new player to play for Carlow County is Daniel O'Leary from the Carlow club, he played Sean Tierney (KK) in the U15S and came out on top in two straight games where his hard hitting had Tierney in trouble from the start. He won 21-7 and 21-9.

Dan O'Leary from the Garryhill club had a good win over Brendan Hyland (KK) in the U16S, Dan was never in trouble and won 212 21-9.

U16D after losing the first game 21-2 everyone watching the game thought Carlow were going to get a lesson in handball from Kilkenny's Dylan Walsh son of the legendary Ducksy Walsh and Cillian Tracey but the two Carlow boys had other ideas and stepped up to the plate in the second and won 21-8.

The third was to a tie breaker of eleven and with Cian Lawlor killing some great balls and Martin Mullins serving well Carlow won 11-6.

The Carlow girls kept the flag flying in the U14D when Michelle Nolan and Shannon Byrne defeated Aisling Maher and Elaine McGrath (KK) 15-2 and 156. The Carlow girls were much too strong for their opponents with their serve and general play keeping the Kilkenny girls under pressure from the start.

Melanie Byrne (CW) had an easy win over Claire Mullholland (KK) on a score of 21-1 21-6. Melanie had too much experience for the Kilkenny girl and now should go on and do well in the Leinster final.

The Carlow players will now play their Leinster finals in Garryhill on Saturday March 13 at 11 a.m. Unfortunately we lost three of our matches but all our players played well on the day and will learn from the experience.

U13D Jason Curran and Gavin Power(CW) lost to Sean Carey and Paul Cooney (KK) 15-4 1510. U17S Martin Casey (CW) lost Pat Mulhearne (KK) 21-8 and 2115.

Girls u16D Katie O'Neill and Amy Byrne lost to Mary Phelan and Ciara Mahon current All Ireland Champions 21-5 21-6.

Adult Leinster Championship

Martin Clancy and Sean Ryan came up short when they played Wexford's Benny Doyle and Tony Breen in the GMAD the Wexfordmen were always in control and won 21-12 21-14.

In the DMAS Andy Ryan gave a good account of himself when he played Wexford's Ned Buggy in O'Loughlins the first game was close up to midway but then Buggy got a few vital kills and won 21-14 the second game Ryan came more into the match when he served well but he could never break the resistance of Buggy who ran out a winner 21-14.

County championship

Co. Championship Results: JBS James Ryan dft Richard Delaney 21-15 21-17; JBS Aaron Geoghegan dft Kevin Rossiter 21-12 1421 21-17; SS John Ryan dft Francis King 21-5 21-6; GMAS John Rossiter dft Martin Clancy 21-18 21-19; SBS David Donavan dft Thomas Donohoe 21-3 21-9; SS David King dft Daniel Fenlon 2120 21-15; JS Dan O'Leary dft Deni Joe O'Regan 21-7 21-10; SBS Oliver Ryan dft Micheal Mullins 21-5 21-10; GMAS Andy Ryan dft Sean Ryan 21-9 8-21 21-17; U21S Kevin Barrett dft Deni Joe O'Regan 21-7 21-10; JS Cian Lawlor dft Kevin Barrett 21-14 21-18.

Fun Table Quiz

There will be a Fun Table Quiz for Carlow Juvenile Handball funds taking place on Friday, March 12 at 8 p.m. in Tinryland. All support is welcome. A Table of 4 is ¤20.