"I'm delighted, it's been a long time coming." That was the reaction of Fermoy man Patrick Hanley to his first All Ireland win in the Mens Open Singles racquetball in Kingscourt, Co Cavan at the weekend. Darragh O'Donoghue from the Araglin club meanwhile took the Men's Novice Singles All Ireland Championship title.

Patrick defeated fellow Fermoy man and 21 times national champion Noel O'Callaghan to take the senior title. He won by 2-0 in the championships which took place over Saturday and Sunday. Patrick has been playing the sport since he was six years old and is a committed member of Fermoy Racquetball Club, as is Noel.

Patrick, who'll also be known to townspeople from his work as a physiotherapist with his own practice, Avondhu Physiotherapy Clinic on the Pike Road, champions the sport of which he's just become champion, saying "racquetball is a very enjoyable sport, it's a great way to keep fit and it's inexpensive."

He says there's scope within the club for new members and anyone who'd like to join them is most welcome to go along to Fermoy Youth Centre on Ashe Quay any Tuesday evening where training takes place between 7 and 9pm.

Further information and photographs of Patrick's win can be seen on Racquetball Ireland's website www.racquetball-Ireland.com along with more information about the sport, news from various clubs around the region, where they are situated and training times etc.

blog comments powered by Disqus