All-Ireland intermediate success means Tipperary pair will play senior handball this year

After winning the All-Ireland Minor Doubles 60x30 title in 2017, the partnership of James Prentice from Ballina and Jerome Cahill, Lahorna, has continued to impress. 

They secured senior status in 2022 after their victory in the All-Ireland Intermediate Doubles Championship, only the fourth time that a Tipperary pair has won this title. 

Jerome also reached the All-Ireland semi-finals in the singles but lost out to his Wexford opponent. 

In the doubles, he and James had to work very hard to get out of Munster, defeating Limerick in a difficult Munster final. 

A long journey to Coolgreaney in Wexford saw them beat locals Darren O’Toole and Malachy Whelan in the All-Ireland semi-final. 

In the All-Ireland final in Tuamgraney in Clare they were up against the fancied pair of Diarmuid Mulkerrins and Cian O’Conghaile from Galway. 

This was a thrilling final, with the Tipp pair narrowly winning the first game 21/20. The second game was another nail biting affair, with James and Jerome shading the All-Ireland final on a score of 21/19. 

This was a great achievement, especially as both men had other sporting interests to keep them occupied.

Jerome had a very busy hurling season with Kilruane MacDonaghs, while James competed in wallball competitions, both internationally and at home, reaching the Open Men’s Wallball Championship Final.

The north Tipperary pair have been chosen for an Annerville award, which will be presented by the Tipperary United Sports Panel at the Talbot Hotel Clonmel next Saturday night, January 21.