With 2017 in full flow, and February upon us, anyone with even a passing interest in third-level handball knows that the roads only lead to one place, and that place is Kingscourt, Co Cavan. It is there that the 40x20 Singles Intervarsity competition takes place this coming weekend February 2nd - 5th.
The 2017 iteration of the Irish Collegiate Handball Association's flagship event will attract over 90 players, from 17 different educational institutions, to the first class facilities of Kingscourt Handball Club.
Last year saw a changing of the guard in the Women's Open as four-in- a-row champion, Catriona Casey, had to say goodbye to her student days thus leaving the door open for a new champion to emerge. The pre-tournament favourites this time last year were University of Limerick's Ciana Ní Churraoin, Dublin City University's Aishling O'Keeffe, and Trinity College Dublin's Ciara Mahon. These favourites didn't fail to disappoint with all three making the semis before a Ní Churraoin - Mahon showdown in the final. In the end, a deadly Ní Churraoin claimed her maiden title beating Mahon 21-17, 21-0.
CNC the TNT comes in as number one seed this year on the back of her victory 12 months ago, along with her consistently high performance in third-level small alley competitions here in Ireland and in the US. The Indreabhán girl has set her sights on retaining her title, and will be hard to beat over the course of the weekend. That having been said, there can be no doubt that Mahon will be out to make amends for last year's final - a match in which the Dublin-based Kilkenny student, and current 60x30 Intervarsity champion, will feel she didn't perform anywhere near the best of her ability. A repeat of 2016's final is certainly a strong possibility but by no means will Ní Churraoin and Mahon have it all their own way in Kingscourt. For a start, O'Keeffe is back representing the DCU colours in her final year of eligibility, but there are also some new kids on the block. Cork Institute of Technology are sending two strong competitors in Katie Fleming and Bríd Horgan, whilst University College Dublin will be represented by Clodagh Nash, sister of Senior Men's player, Diarmaid. The strongest challenge to the status quo though might be coming from University of Ulster, Jordanstown fresher, Eilise McCrory. The Tyrone girl was on Team Ireland for the 2015 World Handball Championships and will have a big say in where the Women's Open title finishes up.
Most players participating in this weekend's Intervarsity competition have never seen anyone other than UCD's Martin Mulkerrins claim the men's open intervarsity title. How could they have? Most college degrees are three or four years long, and this time last year Mulkerrins sealed title number four by beating club mate, Galen Riordan, on a score line of 21-11, 21-5. Since then, Mulkerrins has spent some time abroad in the southern hemisphere, but as we all saw from that video (you know the one), handball was never too far from his mind.
Between finishing runner up in this year's Gaffney Tournament, and training hard for the upcoming Senior All-Ireland Championship, there's no denying that The Babyface (as the US commentators like to call him) is very well poised to make history by equalling the great Eoin Kennedy's record of five collegiate titles in a row. Of course, even though Party Marty's opponent from last year's final, Wexford-man Riordan, was unable to enter this year, that doesn't mean that the Men's Open is a one horse race - far from it in fact. As ever, UL, a college that always seems blessed with quality players, will be bringing some firepower to disrupt Mulkerrin's plans. UL's arsenal includes both of last year's beaten semi-finalists Colin Crehan (current All-Ireland U21 Singles champion) and Michael Hedigan, along with Hedigan's All-Ireland U21 Doubles winning partner, Daniel Relihan. The Wolves are not the only club that can produce players to upset the odds. 2015 All-Ireland Minor winner Niall Joyce will be flying the flag for DCU, and when Athlone Institute of Technology's Niall “Nocky” O'Connor enters the fray, anything can happen.
And that's true, anything can happen - in the words of the now retired Shane Walsh - “There's always hope in handball”. Despite this, and the strong field in play, it would take a brave soul to bet against the Moycullen man claiming five-in- a-row come Sunday. One has to wonder if it weren't for a devastatingly tough draw in 2012 which led to a final hurdle fall against Limerick Intitute of Technology's Seamus O'Carroll, would Mulkerrins be going for six-in-a-row this weekend.
So the scene is set for a feast of handball, and the highlight of the ICHA's year. You know it's a big deal when people are flying in from Germany to take part! As our third level institutions continue to prove themselves as the best environment to introduce people to our great sport, this weekend will hopefully be the first of many tournaments for some players. For others, Kingscourt will serve as just part of a busy handball month as players jet off to Arizona to partake in the US Collegiates. As always, all levels of handball are catered for by the ICHA, but this would be impossible without the use of numerous facilities in Kingscourt and its environs. For this we thank the clubs of not only Kingscourt, but Magheracloone, Carrickmacross, Bawn, Munterconnaught, Emyvale, and St Pats for their continued support. It would also be impossible to run a tournament successfully without volunteers pulling the strings behind the scenes. For this we particularly thank the ICHA's co-chairmen, Geoff Atkinson and Alan Armstrong, along with the co-secretaries, John Walsh and John Hurley. It would be remiss not to mention the fact that the ICHA is losing a great servant in its long- serving treasurer Danny Riordan, who is retiring after 13 years of service this weekend too. Thank you for all your guidance, Danny. Your presence and humour will be missed.
Best of luck to all involved this weekend. If we don't see you on the court, we'll see you in the Dún A Rí!