IN PICTURES: Brophy sisters strike All-Ireland handball gold for Laois

Laois handball enjoyed a memorable few weeks, with Cullohill sisters Aoife and Úna Brophy claiming the Ladies 60x30 All-Ireland Intermediate Doubles title following an impressive victory over Tyrone’s Clare Conway and Caislin Tracey.

The Laois pairing entered the final as slight favourites on the back of their impressive performances throughout 2026, but knew they would have to be at their best against a dangerous Tyrone partnership. Conway came into the decider in excellent form having won the 2026 Ladies Junior 60x30 Singles All-Ireland title. She defeated Roscommon’s Alanna Coggeran in emphatic fashion, winning 21-5, 21-2.

Her doubles partner Tracey was also a formidable opponent and one of the country’s leading emerging handball talents. She had previously won a Ladies Minor 60x30 Doubles All-Ireland title as recently as 2024. The final was played in Kells, Co Meath, in front of a sizeable gallery, but the Brophy sisters showed tremendous composure from the outset.

Aoife and Úna quickly established control, producing an array of excellent serves and kill shots to gain the early initiative. Once in front, the Cullohill sisters dominated proceedings and never allowed their Tyrone opponents to settle. The Laois duo raced to a 21-7 opening-game victory and carried that momentum into the second game.

Conway and Tracey attempted to fight their way back into the contest, but the Brophys once again took control of the centre of the alley. Their experience, skill and composure proved decisive as they maintained their stranglehold on the game.

Aoife and Úna eventually closed out the second game 21-8 to secure the Ladies 60x30 All-Ireland Intermediate Doubles title. It was a hugely significant achievement for the Cullohill sisters, who have shown immense dedication to handball and continue to climb through the ranks of the sport.

Their latest success places them firmly among the leading female handball players in the country and represents another major achievement for Laois handball.

There was no provincial title for Laois at the Leinster Juvenile Wallball Championships, although there were several encouraging performances from the county’s young players.

Cullohill’s Beth Phelan produced a hugely competitive display against Wexford’s Sophie Keogh in the Girls U12 semi-final. Phelan narrowly lost both games, 15-13 and 15-9.

Clough/Ballacolla’s Elise Ryan reached the Girls U13 final, where she faced Wexford’s Bethany Dunbar. Ryan gave a strong account of herself but Dunbar claimed a two-game victory. Dunbar had also defeated Clough-Ballacolla’s Emily Rohan in the semi-final.

In the Girls U14 competition, Cullohill’s Orla McEvoy faced Dublin’s Lauren O’Reilly in the opening round and was unfortunate to come up against the eventual Leinster champion.

The Girls U15 semi-final guaranteed Laois a finalist as St Brigid’s, Monavea sisters Caoimhe and Carrie Brennan were drawn against each other. Their closely fought encounter required a tie-break, with Caoimhe emerging victorious.

She then faced Dublin’s Sophie Floyd in the final, but the home player produced an impressive performance to win in straight games.

Cullohill’s Odhran Fox also impressed in the Boys U11 competition against Kilkenny’s Billie Crosby. After two closely contested games, Crosby advanced, but Fox’s skill and determination offered plenty of encouragement for the future.

While Laois did not claim a Leinster title, Caoimhe Brennan and Elise Ryan both earned well-deserved provincial runner-up medals, underlining the strength and potential within the county’s juvenile ranks.