Ballaghaderreen seal final spot

Mayo club Ballaghaderreen will bid for a fifth consecutive All-Ireland 40x20 Interclub title next weekend following an emphatic win over Antrim side St Paul's at Kingscourt on Sunday.

The men from the West dominated the first singles and doubles affair, and were well out of sight before the last singles entered the court, with Ballaghaderreen eventually winning on a scoreline of 119-60.

Dessie Keegan was in devastating form for the Mayo side and defeated St Paul's Seamus O' Tuama, who has just returned from injury, on an emphatic scoreline of 21-5, 21-0.

Ballaghaderreen's doubles pairing, Paul Flynn and Vinny Moran overcame Stephen Madden and Joe McAllister 21-7, 21-9 to see the side over the line.

Mayo's Joe McCann continued the battle as he took on St Paul's ace, Sean Devine. The Belfast handballer provided a tough opposition for McCann, taking the first game, with the scores finishing 14-21, 21-18 overall. Ballaghaderreen will now face top Wicklow side, Coolboy, in the All-Ireland Open Interclub Final next weekend.

Meanwhile, the All-Ireland Junior Interclub Final will be contested by Coolboy's second team following their victory over St Augustine's, Dungarvan yesterday; they take on Salthill (Galway) who defeated Armagh side, Eugene Quinn over the weekend. There were also wins for Liscarroll, Cork and St Coman's, Roscommon in the Junior B Interclub semi-finals yesterday.

In addition to the Club Finals, this weekend will also see the GAA Handball Showdown take place at the National Handball Centre in Croke Park. Saturday next sees top sportstars in Hurling, Football, Camogie, Ladies Football, Handball and Rounders come together to test their skills in the alley.

An impressive line-up of the finest athletes in Gaelic games has been assembled to bring the curtain down on the GAA's 125 celebrations, with a total of 20 counties represented in the Showdown.

The entire proceedings will be hosted by Hector Ó hEochagáin and there will be a host of other special guests on the day.

With the likes of 2009 Hurler of the Year, Kilkenny's Tommy Walsh, and 2009 All-Ireland winning Kerry captain, Darran O'Sullivan, in action, a top class day of sporting action is expected.