Irish handballers will compete in the famed Golden Gloves Tournament in Belfast this weekend to conclude preparations ahead of next week’s departure for the World Championships in Portland, Oregon.
Over 260 Irish handballers will travel to the City of Roses and the official Irish squad will departs on 30 September, with most of the other travelling party also jetting off next week to acclimatize to the US courts ahead of the 4 October start date.
Cavan's Paul Brady is team captain and will be bidding for a third consecutive Men’s Open World title in Portland. He became the first man to claim back to back titles in Edmonton, Canada in 2006 and will be keen to make it number three.
Brady picked up an injury to his hip last week, but despite this, the Breffni man lined out for his club, Mullahoran in the Cavan SFC on Saturday last. Brady has opted not to take part in the Golden Gloves this weekend and will now rest ahead of World Championships.
However, a star-stunned line up remains in place in the Men’s Open draw, with the 2006 World Men's Open finalist, Tony Healy (Cork) out to make his mark.
Recently crowned All-Ireland Softball Champion, Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy, will be hoping to continue his winning ways, while Antrim’s Ricky McCann, Armagh’s Charly Shanks and Mayo’s Dessie Keegan are also ones to watch in the event.
Michael Gregan (Wicklow), Brian Carroll (Meath) and Joe McCann (Mayo) will be sure to trouble some of the top names in the early rounds.
In the Ladies' section, reigning World Champion, Fiona Shannon (Antrim) will look to continue her winning tradition at the Golden Gloves but fellow St Paul's handballers, Aisling Reilly and Sibeal Gallagher will provide strong tests.
All three ladies are members of the official Irish squad, which was presented to the crowd at Croke Park on Sunday last during the half time interval in the All-Ireland Football Final. Now, the presentations are over and they are ready for action.
