WPH Press, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, IRE, 8/23/24
Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
World WallBall champions were crowned on Friday at the University of Limerick, as a sold out crowd of 1,000 filled the WallBall arena to watch the best men’s and women’s WallBall players.
Women’s Big Ball Singles
Martina McMahon won her second WallBall World title on Friday, emphatically defeating Fiona Tully in two games in the final.
“Martina dominated with a great serve angled to the right,” stated WPH correspondent Mark Doyle sitting courtside.
“It’s nearly like a dream, I don’t think it has sunk in yet,” McMahon would later say to GAA Handball. “In 2018, I had a clean sweep of all the major events but after coming through this, this one supersedes it. Look, I’m back now, I’m feeling as good as ever and long may it continue.”
Semifinals
Martina McMahon def Caliosa Ní Dhúill 21-4, 21-2
Fiona Tully def Eilise McCrory 20-21, 21-13, 21-7
Final: McMahon def Tully 21-9, 21-10
Women’s Big Ball Doubles
Tully bounced back from her loss in the singles final to win the doubles, teaming with Ciara Mahon to defeat New York’s Sully Ruiz and Mel Sky in two close games.
Final: Tully/Mahon def Ruiz/Sky 21-18, 21-18
Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
Men’s Big Ball Singles
22-year-old Nazir Marston overcame Timbo Gonzalez’s experience to win his first WallBall World title, executing late in both games to become WallBall’s new king.
“It was clear from the start that Naz was a step above Timbo today,” stated Doyle from the front row. “Too sharp and too fast for him. Naz put in an unbelievable performance. He was so confident in his ability for a 22-year-old and you could see it in his play.”
Semifinals
Timbo Gonzalez def Tywan Cook 21-18, 21-8
Nazir Marston def Conor McElduff 21-13, 21-14
Final: Marston def Timbo 21-17, 21-17
Men’s Big Ball Doubles
Not content with just the singles, Naz teamed with Tywan Cook for the Worlds slam, defeating Timbo Gonzalez and Allan Sanchez in a tiebreaker.
Semifinals
Gonzalez/Sanchez def Polanco/Klym
Marston/Cook def Thomson/J. Gonzalez
Final: Marston/Cook def Gonzalez/Sanchez
Men’s Small Ball Singles
Final: William Polanco def Joe Kaplan
“The atmosphere here at the University of Limerick has been fantastic over the past four days,” exclaimed GAA Handball on Facebook. “The world-wide handball/wallball community all under one roof playing the game we love.”
Read the Finals report from GAA Handball HERE
To watch the matches, go to the GAA Handball Facebook page HERE
Visit GAA Handball HERE
Pictures courtesy of GAA Handball
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
Oneills.com World WallBall Championships Updates
WPH Press, University of Limerick, Co. Limerick, IRE
The Oneills.com World WallBall Championships are nearing its conclusion at the University of Limerick in Ireland, with open and junior grades to be decided this weekend. The Irish women have dominated the Women’s Open divisions, while the American men have seized control of the Men’s Open divisions.
Women’s Big Ball Singles
Semifinals
Martina McMahon def Caliosa Ní Dhúill 21-4, 21-2
Fiona Tully def Eilise McCrory 20-21, 21-13, 21-7
Final: McMahon vs. Tully
“It’s extra special, I have the backing of my family and my supporters here,” McMahon revealed to GAA Handball after overcoming Ní Dhúill. “It’s great to be in a world final anywhere in the world but it is extra special here at the University of Limerick, where I went to college as well.” McMahon said.
Men’s Big Ball Singles
Semifinals
Timbo Gonzalez def Tywan Cook 21-18, 21-8
Nazir Marston def Conor McElduff 21-13, 21-14
Final: Timbo vs. Naz
Men’s Big Ball Doubles
Semifinals
Gonzalez/Sanchez def Polanco/Klym
Marston/Cook def Thomson/J. Gonzalez
Final: Gonzalez/Sanchez vs. Marston/Cook
“Throughout each day I’m progressing, feeling better, and getting closer to my goal,” stated Timbo to GAA Handball. “I just have to remain focused, take it one game at a time, and (have) the right preparation between games. It’s a bit of pressure but it’s something I look forward to. I like to stare pressure right in the eyes and get out there and accomplish my goal.”
Men’s Small Ball Singles
Final: William Polanco def Joe Kaplan
“The atmosphere here at the University of Limerick has been fantastic over the past four days,” exclaimed GAA Handball on Facebook. “The world-wide handball/wallball community all under one roof playing the game we love.”
Read the recap from GAA Handball HERE
To watch the matches, go to the GAA Handball Facebook page HERE
Visit GAA Handball HERE
All photos courtesy of GAA Handball
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer