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Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Sligo's Cormac Finn wins All-Ireland handball title on his 21st birthday
Once again this epic final went all the way to a tie-break third game, as did his All-Ireland semi-final against Caolan Daly of Tyrone. However and equally importantly, Cormac Finn emerged the victor in a high quality, energy-sapping contest with Jack Doyle of Kilkenny on an overall 21-8, 17-21, 11-4 scoreline. The only other Sligo handballer to achieve senior status was Ballymote's Francis McCann, who defeated Westmeath's Robbie McCarthy in the Junior Singles final twenty-four years ago. Three year's later the Intermediate grade was introduced for the first time as another necessary step to senior grading status and many great handballers, including Paul Brady of Cavan, Dessie Keegan of Mayo in more recently Galway's Martin Mulkerrins successfully claimed that honour. There was little doubt that Cormac Finn was well-prepared both mentally and physically for the career-defining task and he completely dominated proceedings in the opening game, reeling off ace after ace without reply to lead 11 aces to 5 and then 15 aces to 8 and that was as good as it got for Doyle as Finn took the opener in some style 21 aces to 8. As the players returned for the second game the main question was could Cormac Finn sustain this incredible level of excellence against a seasoned competitor like Jack Doyle. Finn continued his domination of the contest and built a healthy lead at 14 aces to 8. However Doyle came much more into the match at this point and the sides were level for the first time at 15 aces all with everything to play for but it was Jack Doyle who secured it with a number of fine kill shots to add the necessary four aces to force to force the match to a tie-break third game. This was a real test of character for Cormac Finn who now found himself in exactly the same situation as he did a week ago in this semi-final but Finn had learned much previous experiences of tie-break games to 11 aces and he once again dominated from the off as the Kilkenny challenge faded greatly. Finn led 6 aces to 1 early on and then 9 aces to 3. Jack Doyle still battled but at the fourth attempt, Cormac Finn deservedly secured the final two aces he needed for the title. The final was expertly refereed by another former intermediate singles All-Ireland winner, Michael Finnegan, who would also go on to achieve multiple senior All-Ireland titles, primarily with doubles partner Paul Brady of Cavan. It has been known for some time in handball circles that Cormac Finn was something very special, a once in a generation handballer who hails from a county with a proud handball heritage that has craved success on the biggest stage in recent years. Minor and U21 titles in a three year period paved the way for Cormac Finn's epic moment. It was a poignant occasion too for all who supported him on this journey, his coaches including Martin Golden and Francis McCann at the Ballymote club who gave him the belief as well did Paul Hedderman who worked tirelessly with him in more recent times and of course his father, Michael, and the family who followed him every step of the way. Next up for Finn is a chance to repeat Sunday's feat in the intermediate grade 60x30 or softball code. He will hope to put the loss in last year's final to Diarmuid Mulkerrins of Galway behind him and he can take much encouragement from this epic success, an all too rare intermediate singles title in 40x20 at the very first attempt on his 21st birthday.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What are the Colts looking for in a TE? 'They have to be able to play on all three downs'
What are the Colts looking for in a TE? 'They have to be able to play on all three downs' INDIANAPOLIS -- Everyone seems to know what the Colts need most on offense entering this year's NFL Draft, and the general manager isn't trying to hide it either. On a team with major offensive line investments and an All-Pro running back, with a two-headed quarterback competition and three wide receivers who just topped 800 receiving yards apiece, one position stands out as a major void in production, experience and investment. Advertisement Tight end. 'They have to be able to play on all three downs, but one that can affect the middle of the field," general manager Chris Ballard said. "... if we had a chance to take one that we think can really make a difference, we will do it." The Colts have been linked to tight ends in the first round of mock drafts more than any other position this spring. They sit at No. 14, where either Penn State's Tyler Warren or Michigan's Colston Loveland have provided some strong swings on upside at a position that has haunted the Colts for a few years now. Indianapolis had a strong run for years with Jack Doyle, who grew from an undrafted free agent into a two-time Pro Bowler who could move the chains with 155 career first-down catches and a blocking acumen that allowed Jonathan Taylor to hit NFL rushing title highs in 2021. Advertisement That was the season Doyle retired, and the Colts have faced a void ever since. Last year, the group plummeted to levels where it ranked either last or second-to-last in almost every major statistical category and Kylen Granson led the group with 14 catches for 182 yards without seeing the end zone. The drop-off has left Ballard to reminisce on the last one who made his life easy. "One of the most underappreciated players to ever come to this program is Jack Doyle," Ballard said. "... He was great. I don't think everybody recognized that, but all he did was block the edge consistently, do all the dirty work and catch every ball thrown to him. Like that's all he did, and he gave us a real threat in the middle of the field. Was he a dynamic, going to average 15, 16 yards a catch? No, but he was a damn good player." What made Doyle such a good player, Ballard said, is that he possessed what the general manager is looking for this year: an array of skills rather than just one trademark one. Advertisement "The three-down part is big," Ballard said. "Look, all of them have to be functional enough to block. That's, to me, the hard one to find. The second you don't have a guy that can block is the second the coaching staff is griping and saying, 'We've got to have a guy that can block.' "But to be able to play on all three downs, to be able to be functional in the run game to where you don't necessarily know it's always a pass when he's in the game and then to be able to finish and make plays at critical times and have him give the quarterback an option in the middle of the field.' It's hard to find a rookie tight end who can check all of those boxes out of the gates. It's considered the most developmental position behind quarterback because most options are either specialized as receivers or blockers in college, and the transition to the NFL can be steep in order to master the playbook in the run and pass games and to have the strength and experience to master both route running and blocking against NFL bodies. But it's a critical mix to a team like the Colts, who have a young quarterback who needs to make an immediate accuracy jump in Anthony Richardson Sr. and an All-Pro running back in Taylor who has been searching for the explosive heights of his 2021 season since Doyle retired. Advertisement Right now, the Colts have Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree back as blocking tight ends, and they have 2023 fifth-round pick Will Mallory as a developing flex tight end. They let Granson walk to the Eagles in free agency. Last year, Brock Bowers was the clear top option in a thin class and went off the board two picks before the Colts selected at No. 13 to the Raiders. Then he went on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year with more than 1,100 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Bowers wasn't the most diverse player, but he could fit the functional blocker mold that Ballard spoke of. A similar case could be made for Loveland, who did play in-line in the Big Ten Conference in a run-heavy offense at Michigan, though his best traits are in route running and catching the ball. SCOUTING REPORT: How Michigan TE Colston Loveland can fit the Colts Advertisement Warren stands out as the most well-rounded in the class and the closest to what the Colts had in Doyle. He turned in a massive season with 104 catches for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns at Penn State while also serving as a versatile and powerful member of a run game that sprung two 1,000-yard running backs on the path to college football's final four. Warren's rare all-around game has him rising up draft boards, however, to a point where the Colts might have to trade up to compete with teams like the Jaguars at No. 5, the Jets at No. 7 or the Bears at No. 10. SCOUTING REPORT: How Penn State TE Tyler Warren can fit the Colts It's a move that ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said the Colts have to consider, given their hole at the position. Advertisement "He's not just a tight end," Kiper said. "He's kind of like Brock Bowers was. We call him a weapon, a receiving entity whom you can move around in the backfield. (Warren) was a quarterback. He was a great basketball player in high school. He's got strong hands. He gets the contested catches. He runs after the catch so hard. You can play him anywhere." Thursday night's first round will hold the answers. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts draft: Why they want a 3-down tight end in this year's draft
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vote for the Nashville area's 2025 early season TSSAA boys soccer player of the year
The 2025 TSSAA soccer season got underway this week. The Tennessean released its top Nashville area players to watch. We've trimmed that list down to a select view, and now you get to vote your choice for early season player of the year. The poll is below. Voting will close at noon Saturday. Jack Doyle, Brentwood, Sr.: Doyle, an attacker, is signed with Belmont University to play golf next fall. Last year he was second on Brentwood's soccer team with 13 goals and six assists and had four game-winning goals. Camden Holiday, CPA, Jr.: The midfielder was named 2024 Division II-AA, All Middle Region, Tennessean All-Midstate first team and TSWA All State after scoring 17 goals with 23 assists. Chris Parks, Davidson Academy, Jr.: The forward led Davidson Academy to a 10-6 record last year after scoring 28 goals. He was named All-District 4 in Division II-A and to the 2024 Tennessean All-Midstate boys soccer team. Terrance Reynolds, Ensworth, Jr.: The center midfielder was difficult to contain, finishing 2024 with 30 goals and six assists while being named to The Tennessean's All-Midstate second team. More: TSSAA basketball state tournament: Tennessee high school sectional bracket More: TSSAA basketball state tournament: Division II championships brackets Ryan MacClary, Father Ryan, Jr.: While Ryan plays the forward position, he is the point player for Father Ryan, creating chances off the dribble. He had five goals and three assists and is being recruited by Harvard and Duke. Tristiano Alfano, Franklin, Sr.: Alfano had four goals and eight assists as a midfielder last year while earning All-District 10-AAA. Armando Esparza, Harpeth, Sr.: From his left wing position, Esparza had 20 goals and 10 assists. Sonny French, Hendersonville, Sr.: The Commandos have been a standout defensive team in recent years, led by French who also recorded four goals and three assists while being named District 12-AAA MVP and The Tennessean's All-Midstate second team. Bo Robbins, MBA, Jr.: The midfielder scored 12 goals with eight assists as the Big Red made a run to the DII-AA state semifinals, finishing last season 13-2-1. Marshall Gunter, M.L. King, Jr.: Gunter, a forward, had seven goals and seven assists and was named District 10-AA MVP last season. More: How to watch TSSAA state basketball tournament championships for Division II Tyler Kose, Ravenwood, Sr.: One of the top defenders in the Nashville area, Kose was named all district while helping Ravenwood record three shutouts in the 2024 TSSAA playoffs. Luke Russell, Rossview, Sr.: Russell can play both forward and midfield for the Hawks. He's coming off a 14-goals, nine-assist season. Emmanuel Leyva, Shelbyville, Sr.: Leyva provides vast experience having helped lead Shelbyville to the program's only Class AAA state tournament as a freshman in 2022. He had 15 goals and eight assists last year. Ryan Hendon, Station Camp, Jr.: Hendon led Station Camp with 41 goals and seven assists as the team won 17 games in 2024. Atticus Pflaum, USN, Sr.: The forward led the team with 10 goals and three assists as USN reached the DII-A state semifinals. Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@ and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TSSAA soccer: Nashville area early season boys player of the year poll
