Ireland’s hope of success at the USHA Junior Nationals is coming closer to reality as all six members of the Irish squad are safetly through the next stage of competition. An official team of six are competing in Tucson, Arizona, with15 other Irish hopefuls also competiting in search of silverware stateside.

Clare’s Diarmaid Nash looks certain to take the 17 and Under title after an impressive 21-6, 21-1 over Colorado’s Jacob Lesson yesterday afternoon. He will now face Ricky Ortiz from California in today’s (Friday) quarter-final match up. His doubles partner, fellow Tuamgraney clubman, Niall Malone was unforunate to go down to number one seed, Tyree Bastidas (New York) on a scoreline of 21-11, 21-19. Nash, who lined out at corner-back for the Banner minors this year, also looks good for the doubles title with he and Malone forming a dynamic force.

In the 15 and Under Boys, Kilkenny’s Eoghan Hennessy had a comfortable win over Mike Olczyk (Illinois) 21-8, 21-1 and also added a doubles win to see his compete in two quarter-finals this afternoon. Fellow Cats handballer, Richie Hogan, also took victory in his first round game of the 19 and Under category where he defeated Oregon’s Evan Brown 21-12, 21-13 to seal a quarter-final place against Armando Ortiz (Springfield, Missouiri). Hogan, a Kilkenny U-21 and senior hurler, later paired up with Suhn Lee (Illinois) to make the last eight in the 19 and Under doubles section. Tournament favourite, Luis Moreno, a native of Tucson, is also sailing through his half of the draw, realing in the crowds as he puts on exhibition handball.

Meanwhile, the Irish female contingent had little trouble in disposing of their American counterparts as they all breezed past their opponents. In the round robin 17s/19s group, Belfast’s Aisling O’Reilly defeated Mary Friscoe, from Ohio, without coming out of first gear on a 21-0, 21-1 scoreline. Her doubles partner, Roscommon’s Leona Doolin recorded a 21-0, 21-2 win over Lizzie Little (Kansas), while Cork’s Catriona Casey had an outstanding victory over Californian Christy Ortiz 21-0, 21-2 as the Irish ladies continue to dominate on the US stage.

Of the remaining Irish, Mayo’s Stephen Cooney had a good victory in the 17 and Under bracket where he defeated Derek Alcantar (California) on a 21-10, 21-7 scoreline. Fellow Ballaghaderreen handballers, Amy Corrigan, also recorded two fantastic wins over Californian Christy Ortiz and Kaethe Kaufman. With some exciting quarter- and semi-final games in store, the Irish look set to continue their winning ways at the USHA Junior Nationals.

Diarmuid Nash