By Con Dennehy
There is nothing more passionate to elevate the fighting spirit and deep rooted pride of Kerry sports people than a clash between the Kingdom and neighbours Cork. It’s all the more heart warming when the red shirted Cork opponents return back to the Rebel County minus the spoils of battle. This was the scenario in Broadford at the weekend when the Limerick village hosted the eagerly awaited Munster 60×30 Diamond Masters B handball final, a repeat of the 2022 final. Kerry was represented by Pat Lacey from Asdee and his playing partner Dermot Casey from Ballymacelligott while the Cork side was Tim Joe Healy (Ballydesmond) and John Lyons (Macroom).
While Cork had the better of the opening exchanges, the superior fitness and match preparation of the Kerry players shone bright after the opening ten minutes.
“We really took over mid way through the opening game with Dermot scoring some great aces and magnificent serves. We put the Cork lads under severe pressure and we ran out convincing 21-5 winners of the opening game,” said Pat Lacey.
Both Casey and Lacey were impressive in the second game with Lacey in particular scoring vital aces.
“We went for the big shots during the game and it paid off. Our training went well over the past few week and I was particularly delighted for Dermot last week when he won the Munster 60×30 Diamond Masters B final defeating John Lyons.”
Kerry ran out impressive winners in the second game, 21-8 to claim the Munster crown and advance to the latter stages on the All Ireland championship.
Lacey and Casey are two of the most respected Master competitors in the country with the 2022 season particularly memorable for the duo.
In March they reached the Munster Masters B Doubles 40×20 final in Boherbuee where they played Tim Joe Healy (Ballydesmond) and John Lyons (Macroom) in a pulsating final. Both sets of players each won a game with the decision resting on the result of a tie break game won by just a single point by the Cork side.
However the Kerry duo extracted sweet revenge on their Cork opponents in July winning a classic and evenly contested Munster Diamond Masters 60×30 B final played in Broadford and ensured their place in the annuals of Munster handball.
Pictured: Pat Lacey and Dermot Casey who won the Munster 60×30 Diamond Masters B handball championship. Pic Con Dennehy
