By Kevin Mulligan
Two handballers who took the 2015 season by storm were Cork’s Killian Carroll and Clare’s Colin Crehan. Perfectly placed from January 8-10, the Gaffney Memorial, proudly sponsored by Drury Oils Ltd., offers a great opportunity to kick-start the new year.
As defending champion, Carroll will be the pick of many for this year’s tournament. However, an eye-catching 11-10 tiebreak win over Galway powerhouse Martin Mulkerrins at the recent Golden Gloves tournament the sees wily Clareman Crehan standing an excellent chance of causing a few upsets.
Carroll began the year in fine form, coming out the victor in a gruelling physical battle against defending champion Diarmaid Nash (Clare) to claim his first Gaffney Memorial title. He made a startling recovered from serious injury later in the season to reach the World Handball Championships final in Calgary, Canada.
“That experience is just something you can't buy”
A sage Carroll notes, reminiscing about how his World final encounter with Paul Brady has made him a better player, “making it to the world final has a huge part to do with it too”.
A sharpshooter from the Kilkishen club, Crehan is known for his coolness under pressure, and took the 2015 All Ireland Intermediate Championship at the first time of asking to book his place in Ballaghaderreen.“I was always intrigued by the Gaffney Memorial, the fact that that you'd to earn your right to participate appealed to me … being the first tournament of the new year I'm hoping it'll kick start a prosperous 2016”, Crehan says.
In comparison to Crehan, the Cork native Carroll is a veteran of the Gaffney Memorial, saying “I rate the Gaffney tournament highly as it is the only tournament that's got such a good atmosphere and never a dull moment in the crowd”. Carroll notes his ambition, saying that Ballaghaderreen “is my favourite court”, but sets this against the fact that he will be up against “most of the best players around the country and maybe the world”.
Now an established player on the American professional handball tour, Carroll will use the Gaffney Memorial as a launch pad for competing in the US. “This year it works out for me as I travel to New Orleans the week after to play in a pro stop, so will be nothing but a benefit to play and get the good games”, Carroll says.
In comparison, Crehan’s 2016 will be more about consolidation, as he points out “my main goal would be to keep climbing the rankings and break into the top eight.”
“Obviously to get up there I'll have to take a few scalps along the way, something I won't shy away from”, notes Crehan, ever game for a challenge.
Play gets underway in Ballaghaderreen and St Coman’s handball clubs on Friday, 8 January, and continues all weekend. For ticket and other enquiries, please contact Padraig Gaffney on 0868599533. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.