Ladies Handball is on an upward curve at the moment with the standard and competition reaching heights not seen before. Take the She’s Ace final in Mayo as an example and the sublime array of Handball skills that the packed gallery in Aughagower were treated to on a cold January night.
That night signalled the start of another rivalry one that has been slowly bubbling to the top over the last number of years. The up and coming McMahon striving to defeat the supremely talented Casey had fallen just short for a number of years. However that changed last September when she got the better of her in the 60x30 Singles Final in Croke Park following a three game thriller. Fast forward to January and the two played out a fascinating She’s Ace Final with McMahon prevailing once more after a tie break third game.
And so to Saturday when the two will lock horns once more. McMahon has truly arrived on the big stage and will hold no fear of her more illustrious opponent. Casey has the experience though and anyone thinking a couple of tiebreak defeats will shake the Ballydesmond girl clearly do not know her. She will be keen to put matters right this Saturday and retain the title she captured 12 months ago defeating Antrim’s Aisling Reilly also in three games. With Antrim’s Reilly out of this year’s Championship due to injury Casey will be keen to take the title once more and keep the chasing pack at bay.
Casey showing her clinical side when defeating up and coming star Fiona Tully from Roscommon over two games in her semi-final.
“I do still get nervous but I approach it like any other game. It’s going to be a tough game but my approach will be the same as always.”
“Every year I have to keep pushing myself and get better and better and that’s testament to where Ladies Handball is at in Ireland right now” said Casey following her semi-final win.
In her semi-final McMahon struggled to put away the talented Ciana Ní Churraoin from Galway needing a third game to eventually assert her authority and reach her first 40x20 Senior Singles Final.
“It wasn’t my best performance, Ciana played very well but I’m happy to come out with the win today.”
“We (Catriona) seem to be meeting a lot lately so I know what to expect from the final. I’m looking forward to the game and may the best player win”
With Aisling Reilly to come back from injury and with the emergence of the younger generation of Handballers it is a heady time for the Sport. The latest installment on Saturday promises to be a cracking encounter and a fine advert for Ladies Handball. With International Women’s day having been celebrated recently one of Handball’s leading Ladies will take centre stage on Saturday night in their own celebration following their title win.
Let the battle commence!
