WPH Press, Ireland, 2/11/25
GAA Handball held the GAA Men’s Southern Classic and GAA Ladies She’s Ace on separate weekends in early 2025, featuring Ireland’s men’s and women’s stars battling for prestigious titles and GAA ranking points.
2025 GAA Southern Classic Men’s Senior Singles
David Walsh continued his climb to the top of Irish handball, advancing to the semifinals of the World Championships in November and following his stellar performance at the World Championships with his first GAA Senior win at the GAA Golden Gloves several weeks later. Walsh would win his second event in as many starts on his home court at the Mallow and Liscarroll Handball Club on the second weekend of February, overcoming the twenty-four player Southern Classic field to defeat Brendan Fleming in the semifinals and Robbie McCarthy in the final to seize the GAA number one ranking.
“I played well all tournament,” stated Ireland’s newest star David Walsh. “I was happy with my consistency throughout and I was delighted to win on my home court in front of the packed gallery. The win has moved me to #1 on the rankings, just before the All Ireland Championship!”
“Thanks to all our host clubs across all grades of the Southern Classic, to all our sponsors for supporting us, and to all the volunteers, players, and spectators who made it another great event,” stated the Southern Classic Facebook page. “We look forward to seeing you in 2026 for an even bigger event!”
Semifinals
McCarthy def Lynch 15-5, 15-4
Walsh def Fleming 15-5, 15-4
Final: Walsh def McCarthy 13-15, 15-10 (inj. fft)
Watch the 2025 Southern Classic final on the Southern Classic Facebook page HERE
2025 GAA She’s Ace Ladies Senior Singles
Martina McMahon continued her impressive comeback to the top of Irish ladies handball at January’s She’s Ace GAA ranking event in Tuamgraney Clare, winning the She’s Ace title for a third time with an impressive Sunday double, defeating Mollie Dagg in Sunday morning’s semifinals and Fiona Tully later on Sunday for the title. McMahon nearly won her second world championship in November, falling just short against Ciana Ni Churraoin in the thrilling final, and has gone undefeated since, winning the GAA Golden Gloves in November, She’s Ace in January, and flying 8,600 miles roundtrip to win her second career WR48 title at the WR48 Red in Missoula, MT on the first weekend in February.
Semifinals
McMahon def Dagg
Tully def Heffernan
Final: McMahon def Tully 15-10, 15-9
Watch the 2025 She’s Ace Final on Youtube HERE
2024/25 GAA Ranking Events
2024 World Championships Men’s Open Champion: Paul Brady
2024 World Championships Women’s Open Champion: Ciana Ni Churraoin
WPH World Championships recap HERE
2024 Golden Gloves Men’s Open Champion: David Walsh
2024 Golden Gloves Women’s Open Champion: Martina McMahon
WPH 2024 GAA Golden Gloves recap HERE
2024 Southern Classic Men’s Open Champion: David Walsh
2024 She’s Ace Women’s Open Champion: Martina McMahon
To watch the matches, go to the GAA Handball Facebook page HERE
For more on the 2024 GAA She’s Ace and 2025 GAA Southern Classic, visit GAA Handball HERE
Thank you to David Walsh for updates from the 2024 She’s Ace and 2025 Southern Classic.
Photos courtesy of GAA Handball
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer