Laois Handball celebrates All-Ireland title and two silvers
Clough/Ballacolla’s Kevin Brennan added another gold medal to his collection
Laois handball enjoyed a hugely successful spell of Wallball action in August, with Kevin Brennan of Clough/Ballacolla claiming an All-Ireland title while Orla and Aoife Brophy of Cullohill both finished as runners-up.
The month began with the Leinster Wallball Championships, where Laois claimed three titles. Brennan won the Men’s Golden Masters competition, while Orla Brophy captured the Ladies Junior B title and her sister Aoife took the Ladies Junior crown.
At the Irish Wallball Nationals on August 15 and 16, Brennan again represented Laois in the Men’s 50+ category. He defeated John Penny of Hospital, Limerick in the quarter-final before edging out Tyrone’s Niall Kerr in a tight semi-final. Brennan produced another determined display in the final but was beaten 18-12 by Tom Sweeney of Ballinrobe, Mayo.
The following weekend, Clough/Ballacolla and Cullohill hosted the John West Wallball Féile na nGael 2026, with Clough/Ballacolla entering teams in both the Girls and Boys Division 2 competitions.
The girls lost to Sean MacCumhaills, St Joseph’s and Kilglass Gaels, but remained competitive throughout. The boys suffered defeat to eventual champions Naomh Eanna of Antrim before responding with an impressive 42-15 victory over St Joseph’s. Despite that win, they narrowly missed out on a semi-final place.
The month concluded with the All-Ireland Wallball Championship Finals being staged in Clough/Ballacolla, with three Laois players in action.
Home favourite Brennan produced an outstanding display to defeat Galway’s Graham Casburn 15-6, 15-8 in the Golden Masters semi-final. He then overcame Niall Kerr in the final, winning the opening game 15-11 before completing a superb victory with a 15-0 second-game win.
There was disappointment for Orla Brophy in the Ladies Junior B final, where she was beaten 15-10, 15-13 by Tipperary’s Siobhan Pentrice. Having stepped up from minor this year, reaching an All-Ireland final represents an excellent achievement in her first season at adult level.
Aoife Brophy also reached the Ladies Junior decider after a dramatic semi-final win over Roscommon’s Alanna Coggeran. After losing the opening game, she fought back to win the next two and reach the final. However, Tyrone’s Clare Conway prevailed 15-13, 15-5 in the decider.
Clough/Ballacolla Handball Club were also praised for their work in hosting the All-Ireland.