A strong Irish contingent are in California at present preparing for this weeks Simple Green US Open of Handball, which kicks off on Thursday with the Men’s Open 1st & 2nd Rounds.
Men’s Open Singles:
Eight Irish men are part of the 32-player field in the Men’s Open Singles, with reigning champion Paul Brady again starting as strong favourite, his opener coming against New Yorker Matthew Chu. Just a few hours later he could run into Clare youngster Colin Crehan should the Kilkishen man oust local Braulio Ruiz.
World Singles Finalist Killian Carroll (Cork) is seeded #5 and could run into Brady at the SF stages. Carroll faces Dylan Hernandez (CA) in the 1st Round, before a likely 2nd Round with Luis Cordova Jr (Mexico).
Other Irish competitors in the top half include Ger Coonan (Tipp) who faces a tough opener against Daniel Cordova (Mexico), and Michael Gregan (Wick) who is making his comeback after two and a half years out. Gregan also faces a difficult opener against Jonathon Iglesias (NY) in one of the ties of the round.
Current double All-Ireland 40x20 champion Robbie McCarthy (Westmeath) takes 6th seed and should eventually run into #3 seed Emmet Peixoto (CA) in the QF’s, whilst 7th seed Diarmaid Nash (Clare) will face a QF with 2nd seed Luis Moreno should he see of Marcos Chavez & Naty Alvarado Jr on Thursday.
Ballaghaderreen’s Stephen Cooney is the last remaining Irish man to play, and he faces Dane Szatkowski (Illinois) on Thursday lunchtime.
Ladies Open Singles:
Yet again the big names are Catriona Casey & Aisliing Reilly, with both occupying #1 & #2 seeds. Casey’s biggest obstacle to a final will be Limerick’s Martina McMahon, with a SF between both ladies expected.
Canadian Jessica Gawley will be expected to come through and face Reilly, unless Westmeath’s Aoife McCarthy can upset the odds and take out the 4th seed Gawley.
Men’s Open Doubles:
Reigning World Doubles champs Diarmaid Nash & Robbie McCarthy claim top seed and a possible all Irish SF against 2012 finalists Michael Gregan & Ger Coonan. That’s if the latter can take out a strong pairing of Mando Ortiz & Vic Perez (CA).
Paul Brady pairs up with Emmet Peixoto as 3rd seeds and will form a formidable partnership. The could face the Killian Carroll & Colin Crehan in their first game, if as expected the latter duo overcome their first round opponents.