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Interview: Limerick’s Martina McMahon

As part of her TY work, young Roscommon Handballer Alanna Coggeran interviewed one of her role models, Limerick's Handball sensation Martina McMahon. So inspired she was by Martina's, Alanna has kindly shared the interview for the full Handballing community to read. Check it out below.

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  1. Why do you like playing handball?

I enjoy playing handball because it is one of the few sports that utilises every muscle in the body, even your brain – and who doesn’t enjoy a full body workout! I also enjoy the aggressive side of my game, where I can let loose on the ball! Although it appears one of the easier sports to play for onlookers, it is not until you actually try it that you understand (and appreciate) the skills needed to excel in the game. Additionally, the opportunity to travel the world is also a major pulling factor.

2. Who inspires you?

I’m probably one of very few athletes that has not one sole inspiration. I like bits and pieces from a couple of people. For instance, my initial inspiration came from my home life (my Granny and my mother Rose). Then of course, the Coach who picked me up when the chips were down (Pat Murphy).

In terms of handball, I don't think there's a person in the game that when they hear the word ‘inspiration’, Paul Brady doesn’t spring to mind. What an ambassador for the game and sport in general - a genuine machine.

Finally, from a Woman in Sport perspective, Katie Taylor is whom I most admire. The girl is absolutely unbelievable and would put many a male boxer to the test. Her speed is savage and watching her perform actually makes me want to box. When you hear the words ‘Katie Taylor’, you’re proud to be Irish.

3. What has been the proudest moment of your career and why?

I guess the proudest moment for me would have to be the year of 2018. Essentially going undefeated and it being a Worlds Year too, was certainly one that will be hard to top.

Within the year I won, the US Nationals 4-Wall Open Singles and Doubles titles, I won my first 4-Wall Open Singles World Title, retained the Open Doubles Title, I was the first Irish person to win the World Open Singles 1-Wall Title, I captured my maiden 4-Wall All-Ireland Senior Singles Title and brought the Softball All-Ireland Senior Singles Title back home to Limerick. Also, being the Irish Team Captain and flag bearer for the Worlds were special moments for me.

4. If you could go back and change any moment in your handball career what would it be?

Looking back if I could have changed anything, it would have been to move to Broadford HC sooner than I did. I really only developed my game when I moved there and that’s kudos to Pat Murphy. Only then was handball really enjoyable for me.

5. What do you think is your biggest weakness and how do you improve on it?

I suppose my biggest weakness is I always want to roll the ball, as in, I want that kill to be flattened.. but I have learnt, that sometimes a kill an inch or two from the floor is just as good! As Pat says ‘you don’t have to murder the ball, sometimes a shot well placed is more effective’.. with my reply of course ‘but sure a flat roll out just looks and sounds class’! So to improve on that, I should start doing what I’m told!

6. How do you think this sport has developed in your lifetime and how would you like to see it develop in the future?

To be honest we (females) can’t really complain when it comes to handball. I really think the game has developed in my lifetime, particularly for Ladies. It's probably one of few sports where men and women are treated equally. Also, now females (at Senior/Open level), have the same amount of ranking tournaments in the build up to the Championship (She’s Ace, Nationals etc), so are equally prepared in terms of game time as the men. 

From a juvenile perspective, there’s a lot of emphasis in ‘taking part’, but to be brutally honest, in my time, taking part was not what I was thinking, I was there to win! They say everyone is a winner, but sport is cruel and I think it's important we’re taught that from a young age. If you want to be successful, you must take the odd loss, that builds character. If, as a kid, you’re told you’re always a winner and you get a medal even if you have lost all your games in a fun tournament, when that day comes and you’re told you lost and go home empty handed, it’ll be more difficult to take – and subsequently might be the ending to a short lived career. In saying that, the number of kids playing nowadays is tremendous and great to see. There's plenty of blitzes and tournaments ran around the country in various clubs, keeping the game alive. 

I’d also like to see handball incorporated into hurling/football training for kids where feasible, as it will stand to those sports but also grow the game and meet a wider audience, thus capturing the interest of more people.

7. Do you think there are more women in handball now compared to when you were younger?

In terms of my own era, it's difficult to say. A lot of female players that I knew growing up have since left the game. Mayo, Roscommon and Kerry together had about 10+ females who were on the road to Senior but unfortunately dropped off. Taking a step back and looking at the younger years coming up behind me, I can safely say there are more girls in the game now, but like everything, we must work to keep them interested! Like all sports, the 16/17yr age mark is crucial in keeping those teenagers playing.

8. What defines a good performance for you?

Haha good question. I suppose the obvious answer is a win, even if its winning ugly! But the honest answer is, when I go in and hit my very first ball in the warm-up, I know if its going to be a good performance or not, by the way my body is moving and how the ball leaves my hand. In saying that, I don’t panic if I don’t feel that smoothness, as you can work into it during the game. All in all, when the ball rolls out, the serves work and my pass shots are controlled, that’s what defines a good performance for me.

9. What are your plans for the future in handball?

My immediate plan is to just get back in a court! Covid has been tough, especially the last couple of months. But ultimately, the goal is to add another few World Titles to my name and house the 40x20 and 60x30 All-Ireland cups in my home place for the next few years. My mother loves dusting them. I also hope to get to the odd Pro-Stop in America if the timing is right with work and Irish handball.

10. What is your best piece of advice for anyone in any sport, wanting to be the best?

I guess the standard line is ‘practise, practise, practise’ and while that is whole heartedly true, I do think it's important to improve on your own. The boring hours as some people call them, but they are what makes the difference. Also, watching videos of the top sports people in the game can actually benefit your game too, as you learn to try new shots/skills etc. And lastly, mindset.. if you really want to succeed you have to work for it. Nothing comes easy in life, and you have to take the good with the bad! A loss does not mean you failed, a loss means you now have something to improve on. Everyone hates losing and we all lick our wounds when it happens, but with every setback there’s a comeback, you pick yourself up, you stop feeling sorry for yourself and you go out there and prove you are somebody. Hold that head up high and show people what you have to offer.