Tyrone’s Eilise McCrory earned her spot on Team Ireland with a Junior Nationals final win over Armagh’s Niamh Coleman. An emotional reaction after sealing victory emphasized just how the win meant to Eilise, and she now travels to Calgary next month to compete in the World Handball Championships.
Eilise took time out of her training schedule to speak to GAA Handball.
What is your earliest memory of Handball?
- My earliest memory of Handball would be watching the Tyrone League two years before I started playing. I went to watch my daddy and my uncles participate in the league and from then I knew I wanted to play Handball.
Who has been your toughest opponent to date & why?
- My Worlds doubles partner Fiona Tully. I think she is my toughest opponent because our style of play and choice of shots are very similar making it hard to defeat her. We have played each other several times and each time the matches are very tight.
Who is your favourite Handballer & why?
- My favourite Handballer would be Aisling Reilly because she's not only an extremely good Handballer but she interacts with everyone from young to old making her very popular on the Handball scene.
What has been your biggest achievement in the game to date?
Getting on Team Ireland would easily be my biggest achievement to date. But in addition, I would say my two Irish Nationals titles at 15&U and 17&U and my silver medal from 2012 World Handball Championships are up there too.
What are you looking forward to most about the World Championships in Calgary?
- I’m looking forward to the whole experience, the fact that we get the opportunity to play abroad and that we are representing Ireland is a massive thing, but playing and being a part of the 2015 Worlds is what I am mostly looking forward to.
How have you been preparing for the Worlds?
I've been preparing for the Worlds simply by training almost everyday with older and more experienced players, trying to pick up any small tips that could help improve my game and my chances of winning in Calgary.
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?
- The experience has been great! I mean its not everyday you can represent your country and I'm enjoying every minute of it. The other members are great too they are all good craic and lovely people and every easy to get on with. I think we have a very good team this year.
Have you any match day superstitions?
- Not any more. I used to have to flick a coin to pick what jersey I was going to wear (don't ask me why) but now I just make sure I'm psyched up and ready to play.
What is your long-term goal in Handball?
- I would say like every young person playing handball their ambition would be to be open champion at some stage of their career and I know it'll be tough trying to get past all the Casey's and Reilly's but hopefully some day it will happen.
What is it about Handball that you enjoy most about everything else?
- Of course I enjoy the competitive side of playing and seeing the results of all them training sessions but mostly I enjoy the social side of it. I've gained many friends from around the country through Handball and not many other people outside of the sport can say that.
Of all the shots in Handball, when executed perfectly, which shot is your favourite?
- Backwall kills. I think they are a very fluent shot and when executed well they are a very dangerous shot.
Apart from you home court, what is your favourite Handball court to play on?
- Los Caballeros in California. I was fortunate enough to go out there for the USHA Junior Nationals a few Christmas' ago with the Breacadh club. It is a nice, warm, well set up facility and I enjoyed playing there.
What do you like to do outside of Handball? Have you had any significant success at other sports?
- I play football for my local club Beragh. Unfortunately we haven't had many successes in the past but I still enjoy the craic with the girls and the game itself. Tell me an interesting fact about yourself that we mightn’t already know. I play guitar. Not out in front of anyone so I don't think you'll be hearing my anytime soon.