GET ready for the shootouts of all shootouts at Breaffy House in Castlebar this weekend as dozens of players bid for a ticket to the World Handball Championships in Canada next month.
The team to represent Ireland at the games in Calgary is all but complete, with just the one-wall nationals to be decided, and this weekend’s winners will fill in the gaps.
Conor McElduff defends the men’s title and hasn’t booked his spot in Canada. Lorraine Havern, after a week’s illness, lost her national crown to Martina McMahon last year. It is the last chance saloon for both to book their place in Calgary.
The U17 and U19 grades are bulging with potential winners and there should be some serious teenage battles before the whole affair is wrapped up on Sunday night.
McElduff beat Darragh Daly in an all-Tyrone final in 2014 and he recently won his first Ulster senior title when he overcame teenager Johnny Woods in an all-Breacach battle. His biggest opposition in Castlebar is sure to come from Charly Shanks, who is also seeking that elusive ticket. McElduff is recovering from an injury and hasn’t lost a one-wall match since the 2014 Ulster final. He doesn’t intend to lose one over the next few days either.
“I had a fall in training and injured my arm, but everything is okay and I feel more ready for action this time than I was 12 months ago,” said 22-year-old McElduff.
“I know there are big challenges ahead, but I feel that I am ready for them.”
Since her return from Australia, Havern has won the Ulster, Mount Talbot and Italian titles.
“Yes, I want that crown back,” said Havern, “but there are quite a number of players standing in my way.
“Martina [McMahon] is playing well and won’t be keen to hand over the title. I know there are many more wants it too.”
That would include the likes of Aisling Reilly and Catriona Casey, among all the others who have shown tremendous form during the past year. Reilly is a recent addition to the one-wall game and, once again, she is set for a battle against her great rival Casey.
They are scheduled to clash in the quarter-finals this time around – usually it is in a final, as they have met in seven deciders with mixed results. Reilly has been the winner most often on Irish soil, while Casey has held the upper-hand in the US. Reilly, as Irish 40x20 champion, has already secured her ticket to the Worlds, while Casey is still seeking her passage.
It means a lot to be included in the official Irish team as that takes care of the expenses, which are high. Players entering the Worlds on their own are faced with big bills for travel, accommodation and entry fees. Still, that doesn’t put the dedicated handballers off.
The underage grades are a lottery, with so many promising players bidding for honours this weekend. Some, of course, have already made certain of the trip, via other championships, but for many this could be make or break time.
