Despite his youth, Eoghan McGinnity currently is one of Handball’s real entertainers. Flamboyant shot selections, spin, diving all over the court, and thriving in front of a big crowd. So it is great to be able to see the young man back on the big stage this weekend again for the completion of the delayed 2020 All-Ireland 4-Wall Finals, sponsored by O'Neills.
In March 2020 Eoghan was preparing to take to the court against Kilkenny’s Billy Drennan in a bid to retain his All-Ireland Minor title win of 2019.
Surprisingly, he was bidding to become the first male to retain the All-Ireland Minor 4-Wall Singles title since 2005. Ironically that was Mullingar sensation Robbie McCarthy who has since went on to win four Senior All-Ireland 4-Wall Singles titles, and will contest another final in a few week’s time.
This weekend, 20 months on, McGinnity will finally get that chance to join illustrious company, but life has changed significantly, and the Monaghan Harps man is now a student at TU Dublin, studying Sports Management.
“It has been hard getting back into the swing of things regarding my Handball training. I have moved to Dublin so I am still trying to source all the Handball connections, and then College work and exams are keeping me busy too.”
“I have been slowly but surely getting back up to speed the past 3/4 weeks, and without giving too much away, have got a few top training partners lined up as I finalise my preparation this week.”
McGinnity was sitting pretty, verging on breaking into the Irish Senior Top 10 Rankings at the time of the first lockdown, after a few good showings during his maiden year on the senior scene. That came after a success laden juvenile career that saw him win numerous All-Ireland, National & World titles.
There is no doubting the young man’s Handballing ability, or confidence, and he admits he is excited to get back going again.
“I didn’t have enough in the tank to compete at the Golden Gloves, but I have the Intermediate Championship as a goal for 2022, and the 3rd Level Intervarsities are just around the corner as well. I have been playing College and Club Football so am in decent shape fitness wise, but Handball is my favourite sport so it’s great to have it return to some sort of normality.”
But back to the immediate task at hand this weekend, and Eoghan is certainly not taking his opponent lightly at all.
“Billy is a serious operator and I will have to be on my game! We have meet on a few occasions as juveniles over the years. I would probably say I have had the better of him slightly, but he has defeated me a few times as well so I am expecting a tough battle.”
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Sun 5th Dec @ Kingscourt HC, Cavan, from 11am
- U21: Louth (Ben Devlin) v Cork (Cian O’Driscoll)
- Ladies Minor: Kilkenny (Noelle Dowling) v Tyrone (Mairead Fox)
- Mens Minor: Kilkenny (Billy Drennan) v Monaghan (Eoghan McGinnity)
- Ladies Senior: Limerick (Martina McMahon) v Cork (Catriona Casey)
Watch all matches on GAA Handball's FREE Live Facebook Stream.
E: development.handball@gaa.ie