Cork Handball is in a very strong place right now, with quality juveniles continuing to break through, the likes of Killian Carroll making headlines Stateside, and this weekend they have two Senior players in the 2017 O’Neills 40x20 Singles Championship SF’s in Catriona Casey & Brendan Fleming, both from the Ballydesmond club.
The latter will be competing in his maiden Senior SF, but after continuing a six game Championship winning run last weekend, Fleming states he is “feeling battle ready and 100% confident going into this weekend.”
Fleming sealed his progression with a tough win 21-20, 21-12 win over Kilkenny’s Patrick Funchion last weekend in Conna, having previously seeing off Ger Coonan (Last 32) & Owen McKenna (Last 16).
“I never seen Patrick play before, and to his credit I was very impressed with him. It took me a while to get used to his unorthodox style. I wouldn’t be used to playing many underarm players.”
The game could have been different if Funchion had of closed out the first game, with Fleming coming from 20-16 down and holding off four game points.
“I suppose that was the most pleasing part of the victory, to battle back to win 21-20 in the first game. It gave me real momentum in the second, and helped me to drive the win home.”
After taking 18 months out of the game, the 34 year old has seen a notable improvement in his Handball game, which he attributes to training with Crossfit Mallow 4/5 nights a week.
“I always felt my Handball was never my problem, it was my engine and my fitness! But now I feel after 18 months training with Crossfit, it has built an engine in me that I am now able to compete with the best, fitness wise, over three 21 point games. I am willing to fight for hours on end to make this final!”
He still trains with Crossfit one or two days a week, but in terms of his Handball training he is also spoilt for choice.
“I bought a house two years ago which is only ten minutes outside Mallow and now don’t have to travel too far for real quality games. I have the likes of Tony Healy, Tadgh Carroll, Tadhg O’Neill, and even Killian Carroll when he was home. It’s brilliant, we are spoilt for choice at the moment.”
The competitive nature of the Cork Handball scene has stood to Fleming, as within the last four weeks, combined with the All-Ireland series, he has also won the Cork Championship, defeating David Walsh, Healy & Tadgh Carroll en route to victory.
That has been key for him as he prepares to face Armagh’s top seed Charly Shanks this weekend. The duo would have come across each other regularly at underage level, but haven’t really played in any game of note this last 7/8 years.
“I am after winning a competitive Cork Championship, and then I have had the three All-Ireland Championship wins all in the last four weeks. I haven’t dropped a game in any of those six matches, and I feel it has gotten me battle ready. I feel there is a wave of momentum and confidence behind me now. Like anyone would, after winning six Championship games in a row!”
“Personally I am delighted to see the Championship back to its old format where you play a game a week, and have a week to get ready for it. I feel it is the proper Championship format.”
The #RoadToKingscourt continues to take centre stage this Saturday with all four Men’s & Ladies Senior SF’s taking place in a huge programme in Kingscourt from 2pm. There was real nail biting drama at last weekend’s QF’s, and there is sure to be more this weekend with all eight players playing to compete on the biggest day of all in Irish Handball.
This years Finals Weekend will take place on the weekend of March 17th – 19th after the unprecedented success of last years festival.
Senior Singles SF Fixtures - Sat 4th March
Kingscourt Ct 1, Cavan @ 2pm
- Ladies SF1: Cork (Catriona Casey) v Roscommon (Fiona Tully)
Kingscourt Ct 2, Cavan @ 2pm
- Ladies SF2: Galway (Ciana Ni Churraoin) v Limerick (Martina McMahon)
Kingscourt Ct 1, Cavan @ 3pm
- Men’s SF1: Armagh (Charly Shanks) v Cork (Brendan Fleming)
- Men’s SF2: Galway (Martin Mulkerrins) v Westmeath (Robbie McCarthy)
