Clough-Ballacolla Handball Club once again delivered a tremendous spectacle of Wallball (one-wall handball) with its annual Battle of the Courts Doubles Tournament.
The event’s core aim is to bring together players of all ages and abilities — male and female — for competitive and inclusive Wallball action.
It was fantastic to see World Champions and All-Ireland title holders playing alongside emerging stars and seasoned veterans, with participants ranging in age from 16 to over 70 years old.
In total, over 40 players competed across three grades, with more than 50 thrilling matches played across the clubs three championship courts.
Mixed Doubles Open
Building on the huge success of the inaugural Mixed Doubles event at last year’s Battle of the Courts, the Mixed Doubles grade was oversubscribed this year, highlighting its growing popularity and competitive depth.
With 15 teams competing, the draw featured a wonderful mix of pairings — fathers and daughters, siblings, collegiate friends, and coach-juvenile duos — all showcasing top-class skill and exemplary sportsmanship.
John Hayes and Emer Barron (Kilkenny) navigated their way through the early rounds with confident wins, including victories over Siobhan & James Prentice (Tipperary) and Ava Sweeney & Graham Casburn (Galway).
In the semifinal they faced formidable opponents Orla Brophy (Laois) and Christy McGrath (Tipperary). After splitting the first two games 15-10 each, Hayes and Barron edged ahead in the tiebreaker 7-3 to reach the final.
On the other side, Una Brophy and Kyle Jordan progressed with wins over Annamarie Ryan / Paddy Collins (Tipperary) and Áine Duggan / Andrew Brennan (Kilkenny).
Their semifinal against Ella Sweeney (Galway) & Brendan O’Donoghue (Kerry) also went the distance; Una and Kyle powered to a dominant 7-0 tie-breaker victory after each pair took a game apiece.
The Mixed open final lived up to expectations, matching two exceptional pairs.
Una Brophy and Kyle Jordan took the opener narrowly (15-14), Emer Barron and John Hayes responded with a thrilling 15-14 win in game two, but it was the consistent pressure and precision of Una and Kyle that secured them the title with a 7-5 tie-breaker victory.
Men’s Open
The Men’s Open final was a repeat of last year’s decider, with Kevin Brennan (Clough-Ballacolla, Laois) and Graham Casburn (Moycullen, Galway) once again facing off against Kilkenny’s Kyle Jordan (Kilfane) and Dan Breen (Kells).
Brennan and Casburn, both seasoned Masters-grade competitors with multiple provincial and national titles to their names, brought composure and experience into a contest against the youthful Kilkenny pairing.
Jordan, in particular, underlined the calibre of opposition as the reigning World 19 and Under Wallball Champion, having captured the global title in 2024.
Played at a blistering pace from the opening serve, the final was a showcase of elite shot-making and athleticism.
The match featured multiple kill shots, extended rallies that drew loud applause, and spectacular retrieving from all four players.
The Kilkenny duo narrowly claimed the opening game in dramatic fashion, edging Brennan and Casburn 15–14. Carrying that momentum forward, Jordan and Breen maintained the intensity in game two, securing a 15–11 victory to clinch the Men’s Open title.
Ladies Open
In the Ladies Open grade, spectators were treated to a display of top-class Wallball from very accomplished female players.
Emer Barron (Kilkenny) and Una Brophy (Cullohill, Laois) — both highly experienced campaigners with extensive success at county, provincial and All-Ireland level, the pair recently won the ICHA (The Irish Collegiate Handball Association) Doubles in 40 x 20 grade while Brophy won All Ireland titles 60×30 Junior singles, Nationals A Singles, Junior 4-Wall Doubles as well as runner up in the Junior Wallball grade earlier this year.
Barron and Brophy opened their campaign with an impressive win over the highly regarded Galway sisters Ava and Ella Sweeney, before producing another composed performance in the semi-final to overcome Annamarie Ryan (Tipperary) and Marie Walsh (Kilkenny).
Their opponents in the final, Karen Monaghan and Siobhan Prentice of Ballina Handball Club (Tipperary), had also enjoyed a strong run to the decider, defeating Orla Brophy (Cullohill) and Áine Duggan (Galmoy) before accounting for Aoife O’Donoghue and Sarah Dineen (Kerry) in the semi-final.
The final itself showcased the experience, consistency and shot-making ability that have made Brophy and Barron two of the leading figures in ladies handball in recent years. Playing with great control and intensity, they captured the Ladies Open title with convincing victories in both games, winning 15-09, 15-10.
Summary of Results
Mixed Open Final
Una Brophy (Laois) & Kyle Jordan (Kilkenny) def. Emer Barron & John Hayes (Kilkenny) — 15-14, 14-15, 7-5
Men’s Open Final
Kyle Jordan & Dan Breen (Kilkenny) def. Kevin Brennan (Laois) & Graham Casburn (Galway) — 15-14, 15-11
Ladies Open Final
Una Brophy (Laois) & Emer Barron (Kilkenny) def. Karen Monaghan & Siobhan Prentice (Tipperary) — 15-09, 15-10
Men’s B Final
Christy McGrath & James Prentice (Tipperary) def. Sean Morrissey & Andrew Brennan (Kilkenny) — 21-12
Ladies B Final
Ava & Ella Sweeney (Galway) def. Annamarie Ryan & Marie Walsh (Kilkenny) — 21-04
Mixed B Final
Siobhan & James Prentice (Tipperary) def. Eva Sweeney & Graham Casburn (Galway) — 21-12
SEE ALSO – Remembering some of the great Laois people who sadly left us in 2025
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