Irish handballers will return from Tucson, Arizona, tomorrow with six US Junior National titles to their credit.
The Irish ladies ran riot over the four-day competition winning both the 13s/15s and 17s/19s titles.
In the 17s/19s final, Antrim’s Aisling Reilly defeated doubles partner Leona Doolin 21-4, 21-12.
Reilly has been in outstanding form and when paired with Doolin, the Irish girls overcame Canadians Kira Toxopeus and Pepukai Jones 21-1, 21-0.
In an all-Irish 13s/15s final, Mayo’s Amy Corrigan saw off the challenge of Cork’s Catriona Casey, as the Ballaghaderreen girl exacted revenge for her defeat in the Irish trials for the US Juniors.
In the Boys 17 and Under final, Bannermen Diarmaid Nash and Niall Malone defeated the number-one pairing, Tyree Basitdas (New York) and Mexican Luis Cordova 21-18, 21-15.
Former Irish great and Clare native Pat Kirby was present at the Tucson Club to witness the victory as the next generation of Clare handballers made their mark.
In the 13 and Under Boys final, Barry Nash was forced to pull out all the stops as he took the overall title.
In the doubles he paired up with Kilkenny’s Dylan Walsh to add his second title when the duo defeated Avery Haskell and Patrick Sutherland (Kansas).
In the consolation finals, Ireland took three further titles as Malone, Eoghan Hennessy and Tyrone’s Paul Clare all recorded victories.
At the tournament banquet, Gavin McCrystall was awarded the best newcomer award after his fine performances in the 13 and Under category.
