IN PICTURES: Laois' Kevin Brennan celebrates All-Ireland Wallball glory

Kevin Brennan added an All-Ireland Wallball title to his medal collection on home soil at Clough/Ballacolla, as the Laois GAA club hosted this year’s All-Ireland Wallball Championship Finals.

There was plenty of Laois interest throughout the championships after the county claimed three Leinster Wallball titles at the beginning of August. Orla Brophy of Cullohill won the Ladies Junior B title, her sister Aoife Brophy claimed the Ladies Junior crown, while Clough/Ballacolla’s Brennan secured the Men’s Golden Masters title.

Brennan was the home court favourite in the Golden Masters and began his All-Ireland campaign with a semi-final against Galway’s Graham Casburn. He produced a composed and skilful performance to record a 15-06, 15-08 victory and book his place in the final.

Waiting for him in the decider was Tyrone’s Niall Kerr, who had impressively defeated Limerick’s John Penny in the other semi-final.

The opening game of the final was a close contest, but Brennan showed his experience to edge it 15-11. He was at his brilliant best in the second game, producing an outstanding performance to complete a 15-0 victory and secure the All-Ireland title.

The success adds another All-Ireland crown to his collection. Brennan has worked incredibly hard on developing his game over the past number of years and his victory on his home court was a deserved reward for those efforts.

There was also plenty to celebrate for the Brophy sisters, with both Orla and Aoife reaching All-Ireland finals after their Leinster successes.

In the Ladies Junior B, Orla Brophy faced Tipperary’s Siobhan Pentrice in what was expected to be a closely fought final between two evenly matched players.

There was little to separate the pair throughout the contest, although Pentrice managed to take the opening game 15-10. The second was even closer, but the Tipperary player again came out on top, edging it 15-13 to claim the title.

Despite the defeat, Brophy can look back on an excellent championship, particularly as this was her first year competing in the adult grades after stepping up from minor last year. The experience of reaching an All-Ireland final should stand to her in the years ahead.

Her sister Aoife also reached an All-Ireland final in the Ladies Junior grade after a dramatic semi-final against Roscommon’s Alanna Coggeran.

Brophy lost the opening game 15-07 after a slow start, but recovered impressively to win the second 15-05 before completing the comeback with an 11-03 victory in the tie-breaker.

That booked her place in the final, where she faced a familiar opponent in Tyrone’s Clare Conway. The final was an exciting, high-quality contest, but it was Conway who came out on top, winning 15-13, 15-05.

While it was not to be for Aoife on the day, her run to the All-Ireland final further demonstrated the talent she possesses and will give her plenty of encouragement for the future.

Recognition must also go to Clough/Ballacolla GAA Handball Club for the excellent job they did in hosting the All-Ireland finals.

Travelling players, officials and supporters, along with GAA Handball president Kevin Cooke, all complimented the club on the level of hospitality provided and the quality of the courts and facilities used throughout the weekend.

The event was one of the blue-ribbon occasions on the GAA Handball calendar and Clough/Ballacolla played its part in ensuring the finals were staged to a high standard.