Rackard League Handball will take place in early 2025

 

RACKARD LEAGUE HANDBALL REPORT 2024

Rackard League Handball

This year’s Rackard League Handball was another step forward for the competition and the county. Again the competition was held in St. Joseph’s Community Centre. We were blessed to have schools from all over the county and we were abled helped by county and national handball stars, Jamie Barnes, Jodie Keeling, Gavin Buggy and Mick Flood. With the large number of entrants the competition had to be split over three days. On January we held the Girls U11 and U13 competitions. The standard was of an exceptionally high level.

Our U11 Girls Doubles Final was contested between Ferns NS represented by Méabh Maguire and Ciara Denby and Piercestown NS represented by Kayla Walsh and Eibhlín Murray. The girls set the bar very high having what many thought was the best game of the whole competition, Piercestown NS won the first game 11-8 but Ferns were to win the second game 11-7 and take the final by a single point. These girls no doubt will be meeting each other in finals in the years to come.

Our U11 Girls singles final was played between Glenbrien NS represented by Stella O’ Shea  and Ferns NS represented by Bethany Dunbar. This was another great game between two good players with bright futures. In the end Bethany proved to be a little too strong for Stella and she pulled ahead. No doubt these two talented girls will be playing each other again.

Our U13 Girls Doubles Final was played between Rathnure NS represented by Ella Codd and Elsa O’ Neill and Kennedy Park NS represented by Molloy Gilbert and Jessica Bergin. This again was another very strong final with 4 very capable handballers. In the end though Rathnure Girls had a little too much power and won out. 4 girls to watch for the future.

Our U13 Girls Singles final was played between Ferns NS represented by Victoria Dunbar and Taghmon NS represented by Megan Murphy. Victoria had blazed a trail through the day and has only found handball in the last 6 months. Megan gave her a great game where the lead swapped hands but in the end Victoria pulled away to claim the title.

On the 18^th of January our U11 Boys competition was held. Again we had school come from all over the county and the standard was very high. A credit to the schools and their local clubs. Our U11 boys Doubles Final was played between Piercestown NS represented by Sam Walsh and Paudie Cullen and Ferns NS represented by Óisín Walsh and Paddy Byrne. The first game was neck and neck until the end when Ferns pulled away to win 11-7. In the second game the Ferns Boys found their rhythm and pushed on to a conclusive win.

Our U11 Boys Singles Final was played between Cushinstown NS represented by Max Murphy and Glenbrien NS represented by Tommy O’Shea. It was another very good game of handball but Tommy had the more challenging serve and he managed to take the final and bring home the gold.

On the 19^th of January we held our final day of the competition with games for the Boys U13 category, again we were treated to a wonderful day of handball. The U13 Boys Doubles Final was played between Ferns NS represented by J.J. Dwyer and C.J. O’ Connor and Coolgreanny NS represented by Aidan Cronin Kenny and George Foley. This was another highlight of the whole competition, both teams are made up of excellent handballers. Ferns NS manged to find their flow in the first game and after a great game came away with the win 11-7. In the second game Coolgreanny Bos went in with renewed vigour and determination and kept going to the very end to take the second game 11-10. Ferns NS won the final on aggregate and with this victory retained the Rackard League Perpetual Plate.

Our U13 Boys singles was played between Castlebridge NS represented by Jack Murphy and Crossabeg NS represented by James O’Brien. Both boys were well used to playing each other as the both play for Castlebridge Handball Club. On the day James had a little too much for Jack and James won out.

All of the county winners went on to Leinster where they represented their schools and County Wexford. Our player went on to represent us with pride and passion and they brought home 3 titles with Ferns being the most successful school in Leinster. Rathnure NS represented by Ella Codd and Elsa O’ Neill went on to win the Girls U13 Doubles  Leinster title. Ferns NS represented by Victoria Dunbar went on to win the U13 Girls Singles Leinster title competition and not to be left out Ferns NS represented by J.J. Dwyer and C.J. O’ Connor won out the Boys U13 Doubles Leinster title..

These children then went on to the All Ireland Finals where they represented their schools and Leinster. The Wexford U13 Girls had a clean sweep Rathnure NS represented by Ella Codd and Elsa O’ Neill went on to win the Girls U13 Doubles  All Ireland title. Ferns NS represented by Victoria Dunbar went on to win the U13 Girls Singles All Ireland competition.

The boys and girls who came out to represent their schools were fantastic, whether they were knocked out in the first round or if they are All Ireland Champions. They all played with heart, determination and respect for their competitor and the game. Thank you to everyone involved, teachers, parents referees and Éamonn Codd of the Mercy School who has the Pleasure of organising the Rackard League competition.

 Piercestown NS represented by Kayla Walsh and Eibhlín Murray and Ferns NS represented by Méabh Maguire and Ciara Denby.

 

Glenbrien NS represented by Stella O’ Shea  and Ferns NS represented by Bethany Dunbar.

 

 Kennedy Park NS represented by Molloy Gilbert and Jessica Bergin and Rathnure NS represented by Ella Codd and Elsa O’ Neill and presented by Jodie Keeling.

Taghmon NS represented by Megan Murphy and Ferns NS represented by Victoria Dunbar. Medals presented by Jodie Keeling.

Piercestown NS represented by Sam Walsh and Paudie Cullen and Ferns NS represented by Óisín Walsh and Paddy Byrne.

Cushinstown NS represented by Max Murphy and Glenbrien NS represented by Tommy O’Shea.

Coolgreanny NS represented by George Foley and Aidan Cronin Kenny and Ferns NS represented by J.J. Dwyer and C.J. O’ Connor.

 Castlebridge NS represented by Jack Murphy and Crossabeg NS represented by James O’Brien.

Rathnure NS represented by Ella Codd and Elsa O’ Neill and Ferns NS represented by Victoria Dunbar crowned Leinster Champions.

Ferns NS represented by J.J. Dwyer and C.J. O’ Connor crowned Leinster Champions.

Rathnure NS represented by Ella Codd and Elsa O’ Neill crowned All Ireland Champions.

Ferns NS represented by Victoria Dunbar Crowned All Ireland Champion.