Softball season in full swing!
- killshotgloves
- Jun 30
- 2 min read

The softball season is heating up, with the provincial adult and Masters championships completed in all grades and All-Ireland semi-final fixtures currently being drawn up for the weekend after next.
The Kill Shot Inter-Club League begins on Wednesday night with six teams entered from Cavan and Monaghan. All players receive a free custom-designed shirt, with the group stages beginning tomorrow (Wednesday). Stay tuned for more updates on the league.
The opening round of fixtures are as follows:
Week 1 – Wed, July 2nd, 7.30pm
Corduff v Virginia in Virginia
Kingscourt v An Cumann Oirghialla 2 in Kingscourt
Meanwhile, the first major of the season took place in Wexford, with another successful running of the Irish Softball Nationals. Top honours went to Gary McConnell and Martina McMahon, who captured the Men’s and Ladies Open titles respectively.
Team Kill Shot star McConnell, representing the Kells, Co Meath club, produced a series of outstanding performances to claim the crown. The in-form McConnell eased past Wexford’s Gavin Buggy 15-4, 15-6 in the semi-final before defeating Offaly’s David Hope in the final, winning 15-1, 15-5.
Mixing a variety of serves with consistent power and precision, McConnell now looks well primed for the upcoming All-Ireland Senior Singles and Doubles Championships.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” he said. “The plan coming down here this weekend was to win this and give myself a good boost going into the championship.
For over a decade, Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy has dominated the 60x30 scene, but McConnell made no secret of his intention to challenge the Mullingar maestro.
“That’s the start there today, please God I can keep going and the performances will stay there,” McConnell remarked.
“I was hoping Robbie would be here this weekend. We all want to play Robbie, all want to take him down. It is what it is - you can only beat what’s in front of you. If he’s not here, that’s not my problem. I’m here," said McConnell, who was rocking the Kill Shot Elite Deerskin 4-Wall gloves (see button below).
“It was a great tournament, I really enjoyed it, but I was making a statement this weekend. I just wanted to see where my performance was and thankfully I felt comfortable in there.
“I wanted to start the season on a high and thankfully I did.”
In the Ladies Open, Martina McMahon once again underlined her class as she powered to yet another major title. After edging Kilkenny’s Ciara Mahon in a close semi-final, the Limerick star found her rhythm in the decider, defeating Kildare’s Team Kill Shot star Mollie Dagg (below) 15-9, 15-4.

All photos: Stephen Marken
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