This weekend sees the top young talents fight it out to represent Ireland at the USHA Junior Nationals in Phoenix, Arizona this December, with trials taking place at venues around the country.
In the Boy’s 15 and Under grade, there are some exciting games in store, with Kildare’s Niall O’Connor and Wicklow’s Keith Kavanagh two of the leading lights at this age-group. Both will have tough group games however, and will be tested by the likes of Colm O’Lúing from Kerry.
In the 17 and Under bracket, Clare’s minor county hurler, Diarmuid Nash will be the one to watch and the accomplished handballer will be representing Ireland in November at the Basque International Tournament after taking the Boy’s U-18 Irish One-Wall National title in June.
Kilkenny’s rising hurling star, Richie Hogan is the hot favourite to take the Boy’s 19 and Under spot on the Irish squad, and is amazing to watch in action. He takes on Niall McLoughlin in his opening game, and will need to be in top form to fend off challenges from Tyrone’s Brian Donaghy and Mayo’s Ciaran Burke.
In the Girl’s 15 and Under, Westmeath’s Aoife McCarthy and Mayo’s Amy Corrigan are the top most accomplished handballers in the group, both collecting World titles in Edmonton, Canada last year.
Roscommon’s Leona Doolin, also a current World champion and member of the Irish squad taking part in the Basque International tournament, will be in search of further glory stateside in the 17 and Under category. Doolin is one of the rising stars in the game and will be one to watch in the future.
Ulster’s pride, Aisling O’Reilly from Belfast, who has been unbeaten at underage level for many years, makes a return to the USHA Junior stage after taking a year out last year. Kerry’s Ashley Prendeville will test the Antrim girl, but it will be difficult to meet the power of O’Reilly, who is plays camogie with her native Antrim.
Kilkenny’s rising hurling star, Richie Hogan is the hot favourite to take the Boy’s 19 and Under spot on the Irish squad.
Elsewhere in the handball world
Elsewhere in the handball world, there is more 60x30 final action this weekend, with Kilkenny’s Ducksy Walsh back in action. Having lost out in the M DONNELLY All-Ireland Senior 60x30 Singles Final recently, Kilkenny’s Michael ‘Ducksy’ Walsh is now in search of the Masters A Singles All-Ireland title.
Walsh, who claimed 16 All-Ireland senior titles between 1985 and 2001, faces Tipperary’s Willie O’Dwyer and the Cashel player will be up against it in the final.
In the Ladies Senior Singles Final, it’s an all Kerry affair, as Ballymacelligott’s doubles pairing, Ashley Prendeville and Maria Daly face each other for bragging rights. Daly is a formidable player and her experience should be enough to see her take the tile. In the U-21 All-Ireland Doubles Final, Wexford’s Michael and Jim Berry will take on Barry Devlin and Padraig McGlinchey from Tyrone at Croke Park handball headquarters, and this meeting looks set to be a tight affair.
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