Noel O'Callaghan claims 17th National Racquetball title

Noel O'Callaghan claims 17th National Racquetball title

Noel O’ Callaghan from the O’ Loughlin’s club (Kilkenny) continued his unbeaten run when he claimed his 17 National Singles title in a row at the weekend. In the final the 33 year old recorded a 15-6, 15-12 victory over Touraneena’s (Waterford) Triston Hickey. Once again O’ Callaghan peaked for these championships and never dropped a single game on his way to claiming the title. He defeated Martin McConnon from the home town club 15-5, 15-9 in the quarter final’s and then defeated Arklow’s Joe Farrell 15-3, 15-9 in the semi final.

In the women’s final Elma Gibney, Moylagh (Co. Meath) defeated Bernie O’ Callaghan, O’ Loughlin’s (Noel’s wife) 15-9, 15-14. Bernie had a shock victory over last year’s winner and number 1 seed Susan Neary (Arklow) 15-9, 12-15, 11-10 in the semi final. Ailish Gibney made it a double for Moylagh and the Gibney household when she claimed the women’s D title with victory over Touraneena’s Eithne Skehan.

Arklow were the top club in the senior grades claiming three titles, Vinny Fitzgerald (Men’s B), and Colm O’ Regan (Men’s C & D). Touraneena were the top club in the junior grades claiming four of the ten tiles, Mike Kearns (under 10 boys), Clodagh Kearn’s (under 12 girls), Dean Cliffe (under 12 boys) and Garvan Dunford (under 16 boys). The Kingscourt club claimed three titles Sally Keogan (girls under 10), Joe Dillon (boys under 14) and Ruaidhri O’Rourke took the men’s novice title. Aisling Hickey from the Rossmore club claimed the first ever female title for the club when she defeated the number 1 seed Katie Kenny in the under 14 final.

Majella Haverty had a Castlebar had an impressive weekend when she claimed both the under 16 and women’s novice titles defeating Touraneena’s Gemma Cliffe in both finals.

The finals will be featured on the next OB Sport show on RTE TWO in its new slot on Monday April 2nd, at 8.30pm after Against the Head.