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Meet Team Ireland - Conor McElduff

Breacadh’s Conor McElduff retained his Irish One-Wall Nationals crown at the start of July to cement his place as Team Ireland’s One-Wall rep for August’s World Championships, in doing so joining his sister Maeve on the team.

With the tournament just two week away, Conor spoke to GAA Handball as he fine tunes his preparations.

What is your earliest memory of Handball?

My earliest memory of Handball is traveling the country to watch games, either with my father Tony McElduff or my uncles Niall & Conor Kerr when I was around 8 or 9. I didn’t start playing the perfect game however until I was 14 when two of my closest friends asked me to come to a training session and have been totally obsessed ever since.

Who has been your toughest opponent to date & why?

Killian Carroll from Cork. He's the most technically sound player I've ever faced and before playing any opponent I'd usually come up with a game plan to try and exploit weaknesses but he has very few leaks in his game, strong return, great offensive game, great retrieving and great serve, so a very difficult opponent to beat.

Who is your favourite Handballer & why?

David Chapman. I just find his way of Handball so amazing and appealing. His methodical style of play helped mould me into the player I am today. Forcing your opponent into awkward positions, flying the ball as much as possible and putting away any chance given.

What has been your biggest achievement in the game to date?

Retaining my Men's Open One-Wall Nationals title this year was a special one, getting seriously injured the week before the tournament sustaining a broken finger and having a sprained arm caused many doubts in playing in the Nationals at all. But a place on Team Ireland was up for grabs so I decided to go and give it my best shot and luckily enough I won.

What are you looking forward to most about the World Championships in Calgary?

I just can't wait to get out and compete, test myself against the best players in the world and hopefully come home with the gold.

How have you been preparing for the Worlds?

Been doing a lot of fitness work, keeping a healthy diet and been watching a lot of videos on possible opponents, just trying to study their tendencies and pick up on any weaknesses I can.

You are one of 15 members on Team Ireland….how have you found the experience thus far and how are you getting on with the other team members?

It's been a great experience so far. Being around such great athletes and competitors really just motivates me even more. Being treated like professional sports stars too makes it cool.

Have you any match day superstitions?

I find superstitions in fact to be a weakness of any competitor. Having something to do or things placed in certain ways before a game that helps you win or lose? It's all negative energy to me and I try to stay away from any.

What is your long-term goal in Handball?

Just to be the best.

What is it about Handball that you enjoy most about everything else?

The one on one competition, no other feeling like it after a 2-3hr long match and you come out the victor of a tiebreaker! Also just the social aspect of it, the best example of this is down in Breaffy when the One-Wall Nationals are on. People from all over the country and not just even Handballers but families interact and lifelong friends be made.

Of all the shots in Handball, when executed perfectly, which shot is your favourite?

A flat kill, as satisfying and as pretty as it is, it doesn’t give me the same high as a perfect pass shot does, so the straight or 2 wall pass is my favourite shot.

Apart from you home court, what is your favourite Handball court to play on?

St Eugene Quinn's Armagh or Kingscourt Cavan.

What do you like to do outside of Handball? Have you had any significant success at other sports?

Won quite a bit with my football club Loughmacrory from U13 up to minor level football. Won a pool classic, play a lot of poker, Olympic level in table tennis and play tennis the odd time too.

Tell me an interesting fact about yourself that we mightn’t already know.

When I was 12 years old I was run over by a car. Head was split open, broke my right foot and fractured my right toe. Needless to say, the car was a right off afterwards.