*Colin Crehan. Photograph: GAA Handball
OATFIELD’s Colin Crehan has claimed the first major elite singles title of his handball career.
Gort na Mona Court in Belfast was the venue as Crehan reigned supreme in the 2022 Irish 4-Wall Adult Nationals.
Fourth seed Colin defeated his doubles partner Diarmaid Nash of Scariff in the final, claiming the win following a thrilling 11-6 tiebreak in what marked a major breakthrough in his handball career. The final finished 15-11 2-15 11-6. The pair have won back to back All-Ireland doubles championships and are the top handballers in Co Clare and among the best in the country.
Kilkishen clubman Colin defeated Kilkenny’s Peter Funchion in the semi-final 15-9 10-15 11-5 who was fresh from eliminating tournament favourite Martin Mulkerrins in the quarter-finals. A 15-8 15-8 quarter-final win for the O’Callaghans Mills senior hurler over Owen McKenna followed his opening last sixteen clash with Caolan Daly (15-12 15-2).
From the Tuamgraney club, Diarmaid had an outstanding semi-final against Armagh’s Charly Shanks when he trailed 2-10 to claim the tiebreak 11-10 on Sunday morning. He overcame Niall O’Connor (15-8 15-5) and Gary McConnell (15-11 10-15 11-7) in the quarter-finals and last sixteen respectively.
