Navigate
X

The 69th USHA National Collegiate Championships: All Irish Singles Finals

WPH Press, 2/27/22

Springfield, MO and the Missouri State University Bears hosted the 69th USHA National Collegiate Championships, featuring the best and largest collegiate handball tournament in the U.S. Players traveled from across the U.S., Canada, and Ireland to compete on the famed Dr. Tommy H. Burnett Handball Courts.

Ireland’s David Walsh (MTU) advanced to the final in the Men’s Open singles with impressive wins against Jon Gutierrez (FRCC), Michael Gaulton (MNSU), and top-seeded Shane Dunne (MTU). Diarmuid Mulkerrins (UCD) was impressive in the bottom bracket, overcoming Jorge Pimentel (PCC), Anthony Sullivan (LFC), and third-seeded Ray Ure (MNSU).

Walsh and Mulkerrins split lopsided first games before playing a thrilling tiebreaker. Both stars served for the match, but it was Walsh who was able to emerge, defeating his countryman 11-10 in the tiebreaker.

Semifinals

Walsh def Dunne 21-15, 21-12

Mulkerrins def Ure 21-8, 19-21, 11-5

Final: Walsh def Mulkerrins 21-4, 5-21, 11-10

Walsh slammed by winning the doubles with his brother, winning his second tiebreaker of the day in defeating Mankato State’s Ray Ure and Michael Gaulton.

Fiona Tully (NUIG) entered the Women’s Open as the top-seed and had just advanced to her first WR48 final in Houston last weekend. Tully cruised to the final with victories against Claire Hagstrom (MNSU), Avery Shepherd (UT), and Aoife Holden (DCU). Mairead Fox (UU) cruised to the final in the bottom bracket with wins against Bri Still (MOST), Sophie Della Croce (UA), and Holly Hynes (ITC).

Tully continued to demonstrate why she is one of the game’s top players, ousting Fox in two games to take the title.

Semifinals

Tully def Holden 21-3, 21-5

Fox def Hynes 21-11, 21-18

Final: Tully def Fox 21-7, 21-5

 

Like Walsh, Tully slammed, teaming with Ashling Mullin to defeat Team Holden/Barrett

To view all of the brackets from the 69th USHA National Collegiate Championships, go HERE

To watch the matches on the USHA YouTube channel, go HERE

For much more on the 69th USHA National Collegiate Championships, visit ushandball.org

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

DV: David Vincent formed the World Players of Handball in 2005 and ushered live handball viewing into our living rooms for the first time. Since its inception, the World Players of Handball has broadcast over 1,500 matches live. Dave Vincent serves as the lead play-by-play announcer for virtually all matches, combining his unique perspective and personality with a lifetime of handball experience. DV brings 25 years of broadcast radio experience (in Oregon and California) to World Players of Handball & ESPN broadcasts and provides professionalism and wit to the amazing game of handball. DV also serves as the Executive Director of the World Player of Handball at the WPH headquarters in Tucson, AZ, working daily to grow the game of handball through innovation.
Related Post
  1. 2024 4-Wall World 4-Wall Championships Updates: Thursday

    Quarterfinal Thursday Dublin, IRE, WPH Press, 10/31/24 Men’s Round of 8Mulkerrins vs. Pet. Funchion Martin…

  2. Tolleson Fall Open Sponsored by WPH

    Tolleson, AZ, WPH Press, 10/27/24 Tournament directors Eddie Flores, Albert Iniguez, and Carlos Perea proudly…

  3. Sergeant Oviedo Inspires in Sahuarita and Beyond

    Sahuarita, AZ, WPH Press, 10/27/24 Sahuarita Police Sergeant James Oviedo is one of handball’s heroes,…