By Kevin Mulligan
One player looking to make an impact at the 2016 John Gaffney Memorial Handball Tournament, proudly sponsored by Drury Oils Ltd., will be Mayo wunderkind Niall Joyce.
Getting ready for the season opener in Ballaghaderreen on the weekend of January 8-10, Joyce has high hopes of success but no illusions about the tough test ahead of him to keep the cup west of the Shannon.
“I find the Gaffney Memorial tournament to be one of the best competitions in the sport I've watched”, says Joyce, musing on what it will be like to actually compete this year against the game’s best.
The Claremorris’s native stands over 6 feet tall, thin as a lath and strong as an ox, he blasted his way past all comers in the All Ireland Minor Championship to earn his place alongside the seniors at this year’s tournament. Joyce possesses an impressive serve-and-kill game that belies his years, and sets him up as a true dark horse with more than a punchers chance against even the best.
Considering his breakthrough season, Joyce notes that “my highlight for 2015 was defiantly winning the minor 40x20 title in March … it was my dream title to get my hands on ever since I started playing the sport but never would’ve thought I'd be lifting that trophy, especially the talent I was up against!”
The endearingly modest youngster has a year left at Minor, and still has to complete his leaving cert exams this year, but after his displays in 2015 no player will be deceived by his age when it comes to dealing with his skill. Despite these academic commitments, Joyce has a subtle air of confidence about him, adding “I want to compete among the top players again in 2016, and hopefully I can!”
Even still, the Mayo man is under no illusions as to what lies ahead of him. “It feels good to be able to compete with the best, and I've only achieved this from hard work in training”, says Joyce. “However, stepping up to a higher level in handball will take a lot to do well so I will have to see where it takes me”, Joyce continues. Combining a calm head and dynamite hands, Joyce is certainly one to watch for the future. Watching his progress at this year’s Gaffney Memorial will be as fascinating as it is exciting.
Play begins in Ballaghaderreen handball club on the evening of Friday, January 8, and continues all weekend. For ticket and other enquiries, please contact Padraig Gaffney on 0868599533. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.