Kerry handball is in good hands thanks to the phenomenal performances of two rising young stars of the sport. Having spectacularly defeated Cork in the Munster Inter Counties Under 11 Doubles semi-finals earlier this month, Kelsey Sheahan and Lynn Koehler from Glenbeigh won their first Munster medals in Limerick at the weekend when they finished runners up in the Munster final to Clare in a close and exciting encounter.
oth players are students at Curraheen National School, a nurturing academy for handball in the region thanks to their handball wall on the school grounds.
Their phenomenal rise to fame began when they represented the school at the Kerry Cumann na mBunscol finals in Glenbeigh last January. Competing in the Under 11 Singles final, Kelsey (10) defeated her class colleague Lynn 11-4 and 11-5 to progress to the Munster final where she finished runner up to Anna Madden (Clare).
Sheahan also tasted success in the Kerry Juvenile Under 11 championships when she defeated Ellie Jo Moriarty (Glenbeigh) 22-10. She added the Kerry Juvenile One Wall title to her list of accolades last December.
“Both players are very talented young handballers with a bright future in the sport. They play well together in the doubles games and this was highlighted when they were the only Kerry duo to defeat Cork in the Munster semi finals last week. Individually and as a team they are exciting to watch and we are delighted that they now carry on the wonderful tradition of the sport in Glenbeigh,” said John Joe Quirke from Glenbeigh Handball Club.
Despite taking up handball just twelve months ago, the Curraheen students will have a busy few months of competition including the Kerry Juvenile One Wall championships in June.
“The entire school are delighted with the success of Kelsey and Lynn and we all wish them continued success in the sport. Our school has a wonderful tradition of handball thanks in part to our outdoor handball wall,” said Karyna Corkery, principal of Curraheen National School.
