Shannon bids for title

Antrim's Fiona Shannon will launch her bid for a third consecutive World Ladies Open title at the World Handball Championships in Portland, Oregon on Thursday.

Fellow Ulster handballer, Paul Brady (Cavan) is also bidding for the third successive crown, and both players will become the first in handball history to complete the three-in-a-row if they can retain their titles.

Shannon opens her World Championship campaign against the winner of Kristen Steele (Oregon) and Sabrina Zamore (California) at the Multnomah Athletic Centre, where close to 270 Irish handballers have been competing since Monday.

Almost 1,000 handballers from 12 countries are in action in the World Championships this week, in grades from Under 11 to Over 80.

'There's a wonderful atmosphere here with so many Irish, and I'm hoping they all get behind me for the game today,' said Shannon.

'I'm looking forward to getting into the heat of the action and I suppose I've waited three years to be here, so I'll enjoy it too.'

Shannon's fellow Irish team-mate, Roscommon's Marianna Rushe is also in action today, and takes on top Canadian, and USHA number two seed, Lisa Fraser-Gilmore.

Rushe is one of the rising stars in the ladies game, but will have to put in a massive performance if she is to overcome to 2006 beaten finalist.

Also in action in the Ladies Open is Shannon's sister, Sibéal Gallagher, who face a difficult opponent in Canadian Samantha England. Kerry's Maria Daly takes on New York's Tracy Davis in what is certain to be a hard-fought contest.