Eight of Ireland’s top handballers will compete on the European One-Wall stage this weekend at the Basque International Tournament in Pamplona, Spain. The action gets underway today (Friday) where hosts, the Basque Country will be joined by Ireland, England, the USA and Holland.

The tournament is divided into two sections, singles and doubles, with matches played over two games up to 15, with a tiebreaker of 7 if necessary. Armagh lead the senior men’s challenge with Lurgan’s Charly Shanks, and James Doyle of the Eugene Quinn club, both fighting it out with the best in the One-Wall game.

Shanks will also represent Ireland in the Casey Lawlor Cup in San Francisco next month, and is one of the top 40x20 players on Irish soil. Having captured the All-Ireland Intermediate Singles and Doubles (with Doyle) titles in 2004, Shanks has made the transition to the senior grade with ease. Doyle is a veteran of the One-Wall game and represented Ireland in 2004 when the side played the Basque Country in a Compromise Rules Series.

In the Under 18 grade, Ireland will be well represented by Banner duo, Diarmaid Nash and Niall Malone (both Tuamgraney). Nash recently sealed his place on the Irish Junior squad which will travel to Arizona this Christmas, and in 2006, he collected the 15 and Under World Singles and Doubles (with Malone) title. Last month, he won the Boys 19 and Under title at the Golden Gloves (40x20) Tournament in Belfast, where Malone was defeated in the 17 and Under final.

Spearheading the women’s challenge will be Kerry's Ashley Prendeville, from the famed Ballymacelligott club. Prendeville has already had a hugely successful year in the 60x30 court, where she amassed an impressive four All-Ireland titles. The St. Coman’s club in Roscommon is well represented on this Irish One-Wall squad with Marianna Rushe, Leona Doolin and Katie Costello all competing.

Rushe won the Women's A Doubles title at last weekend's All-Ireland 40x20 Intervarsity Championships at NUIG Galway, where she is currently on sport scholarship. Doolin is no stranger to donning the green, white and gold, and as the current 15 and Under World Champion, she will be one of the favourites in the 17 and Under USHA Juniors in Arizona this December. Costello has made a great impression at All-Ireland and provincial level over the past few seasons, and was defeated in the World 17 and Under Singles final in 2006. However, she avenged that defeat by taking the Doubles title with partner, Marianna Rushe.

Leading the Irish International side to the Basque Country are Team Manager, Sligo’s Francis McCann and Assistant Manager, Kilkenny’s Betty Funchion. The USA dominated the recent Open d’Italia and this Irish selection will need to be in top form if they are to reap success.

Girls' team


James Doyle.