By Mark Quinn PRO ICHA
Anticipation breeds disappointment, but in Ireland we breed champions so anticipation of big things can be forgiven. This past week the colleges of Ireland were represented in full strength at the Multnomah Athletic Club and Lloyd Athletic Club in Portland, Oregon.
Anybody abreast of current collegiate handball trends expected the men’s and women’s titles to return to their comfortable resting places in Moycullen and Ballydesmond respectively. For three years Martin Mulkerrins and Catriona Casey have been the undisputed powerhouses of college’s handball and we expected that reign to continue. Catriona put an astounding and historic, eight titles back to back. Nobody could have expected an ill Martin Mulkerrins to arrive in Portland, his performances whilst in such poor health were inspiring. He battled through many tough games only to meet Daniel Cordova in the final. Cordova, who Martin knows all too well after meeting and beating him in every final since 2012, was not to be denied in 2015. The fortitude with which he approached the final compliments a champion’s character. Many would have a defeatist attitude approaching a fourth final with the Moycullen man after being beaten by him so often but the man from Juárez is made of something more; something strong. It was a family affair for the Lake Forest representative and nobody could begrudge his accomplishment, even if it wasn’t the desired outcome from where we were seated.
A man who is no stranger to collegiate handball, Dessie Keegan, travelled this year as coach with the double-jobbing, always-accommodating, physio-coach; Noel McHugh. Two men with immense knowledge on the game that is so simple in theory and practically not so simple, ran from club to club each day putting in huge hours to ensure each and every one of those travelling had the greatest opportunity to represent themselves and their colleges to the best of their ability. McHugh’s knowledge on the game and willingness to help everyone was like his physio bag: bottomless. Keeping everyone strapped and ready to roll is an achievement in itself and to parallel that with his coaching ability is nothing short of miracle work. Keegan provided information to players that only a seasoned senior player could pass on. The men from the west hoped to mastermind a clean sweep of the top grades this year only to be denied by Lake Forest’s Cordova, the first win since Nickolai Nahorniak won the title in 2011.
Words cannot describe the class and style with which Martin Mulkerrins took on the competition in Portland this year. The Galway man, who was clearly hampered by illness, had a unique ritual in the states this year where he would go to the courts, warm-up, win his game and return to bed to try and revive himself for the next game. Martin this year swapped a title he has won for the previous three years for a title he has chased since 2012. With Galen Riordan the Galway man finally caught up to that doubles title that has escaped his grasp in the past. Unfortunately, this year, the Open singles title return trip to Moycullen was just not meant to be.
Queen’s University Belfast were represented for the second year in a row by the ever-professional Caolan Daly. Caolan for the second year in a row met Daniel Cordova in the semi-final in front of a packed show-court. It’s fair to say that, in singles action, the game the Carrickmore man took from Cordova was the most comprehensive beating the LFC man took all week. Smart shot selection from Daly saw him win the first game 21-15, Cordova took the second and the subsequent tie-breaker. By Sunday afternoon I had decided to call Daniel Mr. Tie-breaker due to the absolute ferocity that he approached and finished tie-break games. Nobody could live with him in that light-speed mood he was in in the race to 11 points. Daly in his second year still has the option to return next year to try and etch his name in the annals of USHA Collegiate handball if he chooses to do so. With an all American and a sportsmanship award in his luggage on the way to Carrickmore, the actuary student can be nothing but proud. Watch this space.
Darren Doherty of DCU also took on the might of Mr. Tie-breaker in the quarter finals of the championship. At 12-0 up in the second game after losing the first he too witnessed the strength of Lake Forest’s one true hope. Cordova turned on the after-burners and pegged the Farney man back winning 21-16. Doherty too can return next year to try and make the break-through in his quest for a collegiate title.
Galen Riordan entered his first collegiates this year representing UCD. With the venues split I wasn’t fortunate enough to see many of our representatives’ play and in this case I didn’t get to see Galen play in singles action. However I am privileged to say that I was there to witness the doubles demolition of the once untouchable Lake Forest. The UCD dream-team of Riordan and Mulkerrins were flawless in their doubles expedition taking no prisoners. The Wexford youngster was on fire flanking the unwell Moycullen man in the final as the pair only allowed the Foresters 7 points throughout. Galen returns next year as UCD’s shining light and I hear the Americans are already excited about the floral shorts that are sure to be on show. Who knows what new styles 2016 will bring from the fashion capital of the world in an attempt to bring glory back to UCD.
Ian McLoughlin arrived at his second collegiates this year in Portland. McLoughlin took on Caolan Daly in the quarter final where he lost out narrowly. His game of the week however came against Terry McElvanney in the Last-16 round where he battled back from 13 points down to come out on top. McLoughlin, who can also return next year, represents the hopes of NUIG: the most under-funded handball club in the country. The Mayo man certainly has the talent and ability to progress from 2015 and be a real contender in 2016 should he decide to make the trip.
Terry McElvanney lost out to Ian McLoughlin in the last 16 event. His game of the tournament came in the opening rounds where the Emyvale man was down, not out, against Matt Chu of the LFC revival. Terry battled back to take the game in an energy-sapping thriller. Playing doubles McElvanney and Doherty took on the UCD pairing in the semi-final. In a rematch from the Wexford doubles event final the DCU pair lost out once more to the UCD men.
The package pair of Daniel Relihan and Michael Hedigan could not be separated all week. Beds, courts and finals; you name it the Cork and University of Limerick representatives shared it all week. I could pick numerous games that these two played in that stand out for me. Hedigan versus Brant Bidegain was a thriller on day one and it really set the tone for the Cork man for the coming days. Relihan took on Eric Matiasek of LFC and played so well that the Lake Forest man stopped trying to return the serves. The pair who met in the final of the 9-16 Open plate were only separated by injury to Relihan who after a week of elbow-torture could do no more. Game of the week for these two came in the Open doubles semi-final where for the first 15 points the Lake Forest duo of Laffey and Cordova could just not deal with the flawless shooting of Relihan and the ever-reaching picking game of Hedigan. As Coach Keegan pointed out regarding Relihan “there’s just nothing you can do with a shooter when his eye is in.” Keep shooting and you’ll set 2016 in Minnesota alight. Hedigan and Relihan are a force to be reckoned with in 2016. Michael as open plate champion this year will return as one of the favourites in 2016 and the fans are waiting. “We just love to watch him play” – American Girls.
Seamus Conneely brought all the skills of Moycullen to the other side of the world as he tore up the seeding’s in the men’s division. Conneely took the ‘A’ Title back to NUIG after a power-punching tournament. If the trip is made next year the NUIG man will represent Moycullen with every skill the Galway handball stronghold offers. Everything from fitness to speed and power to bottom brick radar this man has in his bag of tricks. Quiet and clinical; the Galway assassin is deadly.
What do I say? He did a little dance, made us all fall in love and boy did he get down in Portland. Losing the semi-final of the ‘A’, after a long and tough tournament, did not halt Peter Cassidy in his continued quest to supply the handball players of the Irish colleges with morale boosting laughter. The Mayo man and Sligo IT representative could only bring joy to proceedings. All praise King Peteen. And hey, he’s not a bad handball player either.
Seàn Foley, World Cow-Lifting Champion, also had a strong tournament losing out in the ‘A’ quarter final. I wasn’t fortunate enough to witness the power of the Kilkenny man for the week due to the court splitting. His moment of the week though was, undoubtedly, getting caught by Peter Cassidy checking on the live feed of his cattle one morning at breakfast. I guess that’s the hazard of being a dual star in two unorthodox sports: you’re playing handball on the other side of the world but you still need to make sure the cows at home are happy and well for the upcoming championships.
Speaking of ball-splitting power, Liam Bradshaw brought the pride of Newport to Portland. Bradshaw, only 17 years young, took to work in the Portland courts and proved that seeding means nothing. The UL architecture student started rolling on day one and didn’t stop until the tournament finished. Bradshaw lost the ‘B’ final on Sunday morning after a week of shoulder deterioration. His game of the tournament came on day one when a full house saw the UL man rejuvenate the LFC-Ireland rivalry going to a tie-breaker versus Avicii and rolling every ball flat for 11 points. As with all Tipperary men, this man too thrived on the atmosphere and closed out the game 11-0. The Newport man also burst three brand-new handballs in one game. Not even at Wimbledon do they call for new balls as often. Liam returns next year. ”New balls please.”
Neil McEnaney continued where he left off in 2014 tearing through the seedings and losing out in the quarter final of the ‘C’ to Avicii. This was definitely his game of the tournament as he battled back after losing game one and was down in game two. The Carrickmacross man rallied and took game 2. Unfortunately there was nothing left in the tank after the comeback but the sense of pride in the way the DIT man played was second to none, never back up and never back down. Nice work, Portner. Mark Quinn also represented DIT losing the Intermediate quarter-final to MSU’s Bailey Paul-Baird. In doubles action Neil and Mark lost out to John Hurley and Liam Bradshaw in the quarter final of the ‘B’.
Corey Fay and Cian O’ Dalaigh were another package deal that saw the DCU and Na Fianna representation in full flight in Portland. Both men were unfortunate to leave this year’s collegiates without the ‘B’ Doubles title after being narrowly defeated in the final by Stoneybrook of New York’s Wu and Chu. As with most, next year the Dublin men can return to the US as contenders next year in what can only be described as a youthful and powerful Irish invasion.
Cian Counihan came to Portland as the only representative that IT Tralee needed. The Ballymacgelligot man lost out in the ‘C’ semi-final after a very strong tournament. It’s safe to say he’s the only man that could source a suit from four different wardrobes and still look slick. Top man.
Sole Carlow IT representative Geoff Atkinson went one better this year winning the ‘C’ title. Serving ace lob serves all week the Tinryland man was untouchable in his grade. Game of the week came in the quarter final when the Carlow man came up against a TAMU man who was one of the strongest competitors in the grade. The game went to an eleven point decider but Geoff was not to be denied. The Carlow man finished with an unreturnable serve and a roar: “My name is GEOFF!!”
Partnerships don’t come much closer than that of the UCD pairing of Peter Harte and Conor Conway. Same grade, always-supporting, ever-willing and never-say-die attitudes show that UCD simply oozes class. The pairing ended up in adjoining courts one day and I was lucky enough to witness both men execute the exact same shot at the exact same time. The result: two roll-outs and two wins in the end. Partnership level: telepathic, I didn’t see that one on the CAO.
Darragh Mulkerrins and John Hurley finished the University of Limerick representation in the men’s grade. Mulkerrins who returned to handball this college year lost out in the ‘B’ semi-final after a tournament that showed his raw talent. It must be just how they grow them down in Moycullen. Hurley, who I didn’t get to see until I felt the wrath of the Bradshaw-Hurley partnership, had a strong tournament after only losing out to the eventual doubles champions in the semi-final of the ‘B’. The physiotherapy student returns next year for his final collegiate run.
Ladies handball doesn’t come much more dominant that what arrived in the MAC on Monday morning. Catriona Casey, Ciana Nì Churraoin, Aishling O’ Keeffe, Kate Nì Mhòrain and Niamh Farrell represented the Irish ladies.
Catriona Casey vacates the throne undefeated with four ICHA Open ladies’ titles and four USHA Open ladies’ titles. A record that may never be seen again. The Ballydesmond lady was untouchable over the course of the week and indeed untouchable since 2012 after collecting the ladies Race4Eight title in San Francisco en-route to Portland. Class is a constant when discussing Cork’s handball queen and nothing changed this week either as the Ballydesmond native approached every game with Casey-like class and determination. One can only speculate bigger and better things to come for the young Cork woman.
Ciana Nì Churraoin, was untouchable all week disposing of every opponent. The Galway tri-star, is that even correct? Has that ever had to be used before? Who knows? We’ll say it started here. Ciana, who plays handball, football and camogie for the Tribesmen brought all her talents to the handball courts only to be defeated by Catriona Casey in the Ladies’ Open final. The super-power of the Galway lady shone through throughout the week as she mimicked the performances of Casey when they had the same opponent only to be denied in the final by the highly experienced Ballydesmond lady in her last collegiates. 2016 will see the Moycullen gaelgoir return to the US collegiates, she’ll be hard stopped and who knows, she might even treat the travelling crowd to some sean-nòs singing and game of charades. An-mhaith.
Kate Nì Mhòrain took on the Open grade this year after winning the ‘B’ in 2014. The Waterford IT representative came through some very tough games to make it to the 9th place play off losing in a very close final. This was a huge step forward for the Wicklow woman who has improved her game no-end in the course of a year and no doubt next year she’ll be in the mix with the top seeds if improvements of the past year’s magnitude continue.
Aishling O’ Keeffe and Niamh Farrell represented DCU this year in both doubles action losing out only to the might of the UL pair Casey and Nì Churraoin. O’ Keeffe took on Ciana in the ladies Open semi-final with the Galway woman coming out on top. O’ Keeffe was in dominant form all week and only outdone by the power and placement of the Galway woman. Niamh Farrell took to the courts at her first collegiates and set the standard as she brought home the ‘A’ title to the DCU halls. The Donaghmoyne lady had her game of the tournament in the semi-final against Cheryl Chen after losing game one Farrell turned on the class and took the Stoneybrook lady to the tie-breaker. At 10-8 down it looked all but over until the DCU woman rallied. It was ten points apiece for what seemed like an eternity on the edge of our seats and the Monaghan woman finished proceedings with a powerful pass.
All in all and as per usual the 2015 USHA Collegiates were a roaring success. Portland saw no fewer than seven All-Americans escape the US borders. Catriona Casey, Ciana Nì Churraoin, Niamh Farrell and Aishling O’ Keeffe represent the successful ladies while Galen Riordan, Martin Mulkerrins and Caolan Daly, who also takes home the sportsmanship award, represent the men.
Minneapolis will host the 2016 collegiate tournament and although we see stalwarts Martin and Catriona vacate their captaincies on the Irish ship this vacancy only offers the opportunity for someone to step into the breach and possibly start a legacy of their own. Who will take the reins? Will a new power in the world of handball be born from our very own collegiate programme? With the World Championships only around the corner time will tell and time will fly. Eire Abù.