There was a real championship buzz in Loughmacrory Handball Club as boys from across Tyrone gathered for the Cumann na mBunscol County Finals 2026. From the moment the first warm‑up shots cracked off the wall, you could sense something special was coming - fierce determination, brilliant hands, clever angles, explosive roof shots and passing shots that sliced through the court like arrows.
And the crowd loved it.
Every rally.
Every dive.
Every brave retrieval.
Every moment of magic.
The boys carried themselves brilliantly all day, displaying respect, courage and the true spirit of the GAA.
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BOYS U11 SINGLES
Finalists:
- Daniel Conroy – St. Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School, Beragh
- Ben McLaughlin – St. Teresa’s Primary School, Loughmacrory
- Finn McDermott – Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Greencastle
- Jude McAleer – St. Ronan’s Primary School, Recarson
- Daltaigh McCallan – St. Colmcille’s Primary School, Carrickmore
- Danny Meenan – St. Brigid’s Primary School, Mountfield
- Ciarán Óg Ó Treasaigh – Gaelscoil na gCrann
Every boy who entered the U11 Singles gave a performance to be proud of, but the match of the day, maybe the match of the year - came early in the first round.
Tracey v Conroy - A First‑Round Classic
The opening tie between Ciarán Óg Ó Treasaigh and Daniel Conroy was an extraordinary battle. The skill level had the alley shaking: incredible angles, blistering serves, and brave attacking play from both lads. Conroy was magnificent - unlucky to face the eventual champion right out of the gate but he walked out of the alley to huge applause and he richly deserved it.
From there, Ciarán Óg gathered momentum with every round. Composure, footwork, kill shots, roof shots… he had it all. His confidence grew with each rally, and by the time the final arrived, he was simply uncatchable. Congratulations to Finn McDermott who put on some wonderful displays to make it to the final where he battled to the bitter end but eventually bowed out to the unassailable Ciarán Óg.
U11 Singles County Champion:
Ciarán Óg Ó Tresaigh – Gaelscoil na gCrann
Runner Up - Finn McDermott – Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Greencastle
Congratulations Ciaran Óg - A brilliant winner who lit up the alley all morning.
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BOYS U11 DOUBLES
Finalists:
- Oisín Donnelly & Connor Kelly – St. Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School, Beragh
- Thomas Óg Cunningham & Killian Curran – St. Teresa’s Primary School, Loughmacrory
- Toby Donnelly & Daire Tuohey – Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Greencastle
- Ollie McElroy & Enda McCullagh – St. Colmcille’s Primary School, Carrickmore
- Ronan Tierney & Fiachra Kelly – St. Ronan’s Primary School, Recarson
- Conall Mac an Gheimhridh & Patrick Ó Garmaile – Gaelscoil na gCrann
The early rounds were packed with drama. Aggregate scoring meant every point mattered.
Gaelscoil na gCrann edged a tight encounter with Recarson by adding up both games, while Loughmacrory pulled off a gritty comeback to nudge past Greencastle the same way.
Every team delivered moments of magic:
- Carrickmore’s composure
- Recarson’s work‑rate
- The Gaelscoil’s creativity
- Greencastle’s power
- Loughmacrory’s never‑say‑die fight
The Final - Beragh v Loughmacrory
The alley was packed.
Every shout echoed.
Every rally drew roars.
Beragh’s Oisín Donnelly & Connor Kelly faced Loughmacrory’s Thomas Óg Cunningham & Killian Curran in a final full of power hitting, lung‑bursting retrieving and outrageous shot‑making.
Loughmacrory threw everything at it - brilliant angles, powerful serving - but Beragh refused to bend. They stayed calm, picked the right shots, and finished with ruthless accuracy.
U11 Doubles County Champions:
Oisín Donnelly & Connor Kelly – St. Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School, Beragh
Runners Up - Thomas Óg Cunningham & Killian Curran – St. Teresa’s Primary School, Loughmacrory
Superb teamwork from a two superb pairings.
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BOYS U13 SINGLES
Finalists:
- Harry McElduff – St. Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School, Beragh
- Aodhán Conway – St. Teresa’s Primary School, Loughmacrory
- Francie McCrory – St. Colmcille’s Primary School, Carrickmore
- Conor McCullagh – St. Conor’s Primary School, Omagh
The older boys brought a different level of intensity - booming serves, fearless kill shots, and clever use of angles that would challenge any club player in Tyrone. Every one of them displayed exceptional skill and determination.
The Final - Conway v McCrory
A real heavyweight clash:
Aodhán Conway (Loughmacrory) against Francie McCrory (Carrickmore).
The rallies were long and tactical, with both boys hitting blistering winners. Francie’s power was immense; Aodhán’s composure was outstanding. Under pressure, Conway produced moments of pure brilliance - clever roof shots, disguised passing shots, and the calmest of finishes.
U13 Singles County Champion:
Aodhán Conway – St. Teresa’s Primary School, Loughmacrory
A county title earned the hard way - and well deserved.
Runner Up - Francie McCrory – St. Colmcille’s Primary School, Carrickmore
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BOYS U13 DOUBLES
Finalists:
- PJ Tracey & Ronan McAleer – Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Greencastle
- Leo Marley & Noah Costello – St. Colmcille’s Primary School, Carrickmore
- Noah Kelly & Charlie Duff – St. Teresa’s Primary School, Loughmacrory
- Matthew Donnelly & Jardeth O’Lone – St. Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School, Beragh
- Cormac Carlin & Donnacha Daly – St. Ronan’s Primary School, Recarson
There was unbelievable doubles handball on show:
reflex reactions, scrambling retrievals, kills inches from the floor, and teamwork that had the supporters cheering every few seconds.
The Final - Kelly & Duff v Carlin & Daly
The atmosphere peaked for the last match of the day.
Recarson’s Cormac Carlin & Donnacha Daly were magnificent - brave, clever and relentless. But Loughmacrory’s Noah Kelly & Charlie Duff produced one of the performances of the entire event.
Their movement was synchronised. Their angles were lethal. Their shot selection was flawless and their confidence grew with every rally.
When match point landed, the alley erupted.
U13 Doubles County Champions:
Noah Kelly & Charlie Duff – St. Teresa’s Primary School, Loughmacrory
Runners Up - Cormac Carlin & Donnacha Daly – St. Ronan’s Primary School, Recarson
A phenomenal display of doubles handball.
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A huge word of gratitude goes to everyone who made the day special:
- Loughmacrory Handball Club – for providing outstanding facilities and a warm welcome.
- Michelle Duff & Kelly McAleer – for the brilliant refreshments.
- Master Barry McCullagh (St. Conor’s PS) & Eilise McCrory (Beragh) – excellent refereeing.
- Master Mark McCullagh – whose expert organisation, smooth running of the draws, and calm leadership ensured the entire event was a major success. Mr Mc Cullagh makes Tyrone Primary School Handball tick!
But the biggest praise of all goes to the boys themselves.
Your manners, your teamwork, your courage and your heart shone from first serve to last. You represented your schools and families with pride.
Good luck to our Tyrone champions in the Ulster Finals in Belfast on 4th March.
Go out, play with joy, and show Ulster what Tyrone handball is all about.
Maith sibh uilig - Tyrone is proud of you!
