St. Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen, Co.Mayo, were the star performers at the All-Ireland Softball (60X30) Second-Level Colleges Championships, held at three venues on Saturday last. The Mayo School bagged three titles, one in the Boys events and two in the Girls events, while they were also beaten finalists in another Boys event.

At Crinkle in Co. Offaly, the Intermediate Singles title went to Stephen Cooney who defeated Ger McGrath of Scoil Aireagail, Ballyhale, Co. Donegal over three games, on a scoreline of 14-21, 21-8, 11-0. Then at the same venue St. Nathy's were beaten finalists in the Intermediate Doubles event, when they lost to Castlecomer C. S.,Co. Kilkenny over two games, on a scoreline of 21-15, 21-10.

In the Girls events, the Mayo College emerged victorious in both Junior finals. In the Junior Singles final at Tuamgraney, Co. Clare, Amy Corrigan defeated Clodagh Donaghy of Dean Maguire College, Carrickmore, Co. Tyrone, on a scoreline of 21-6, 21-8.Then at the same venue, St. Nathy's went on to take the Junior Doubles crown, when Stephanie Coleman and Pamela Conroy defeated Sandra Kelly and Roseanne Boland of St. Mary's Secondary School, New Ross, Co. Wexford, on a scoreline of 21-14, 21-12.

In the blue-riband Boys Senior Singles and Senior doubles events at Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, there were wins for Cork's Shane Hedigan (Doneraile Sec. School) in the Senior Singles final and for Kilkenny duo Eamonn Foley and Ciaran Neary (St. Kieran's College) in the Senior Doubles final.

In the Girls blue-riband Senior Singles and Senior Doubles events at Tuamgraney , there were wins for Wicklow's Shauna Hilley (Colaiste Bhride, Carnew) in the Senior Singles final and for Roscommon duo Leona Doolin and Hilary Rushe (Convent Of Mercy, Roscommon) in the Senior Doubles final.

Meanwhile, in the annual Eircom (40X20) Closed National Championships, held at the O'Loughlin Gaels club, in Kilkenny City, on Saturday, the Division 1 final was won by Eamon Conneely of Galway and Jim Sheridan of Mayo when they defeated Fergal Ryan of Dublin and Paddy Collins of Tipperary over two games, on a scoreline of 15-7, 15-10. In the Division 2 final, Billy McElroy of Dublin and Seamus O'Flatharta of Galway defeated Galway's Peter Mulryan and Mayo's Austin Grodin over three games, on a scoreline of 15-13, 14-15, 15-3.The tournament is held in November every year and is open to all present and past staff of Eircom.

Stephen Cooney, St Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen


Ciarán Neary, St Kieran's College, Kilkenny


Leona Doolin, Convent of Mercy, Roscommon