Mullingar hotshot Robbie McCarthy will be representing Team Ireland at this weeks World Championships in Calgary as the team captain following his incredible show of steel winning the 2015 All-Ireland title back in April with a 21-20 tiebreak win. Robbie spoke to GAA Handball from Calgary with his opening match just days away.
What is your earliest memory of Handball?
Watching my dad playing in an All-Ireland final in 1993.
Who has been your toughest opponent to date & why?
Brian Carroll, he never gives up and the game is never over, we have had so many battles over the years right back since U12.
Who is your favourite Handballer & why?
Vince Munoz is a very stylish player. I played against him and Marcus Chavez one year at the US Open and was very impressed by his play and that wasn’t even him in his prime.
What has been your biggest achievement in the game to date?
Winning the WPH Players Championship in 2014 was just amazing as the field was so strong and to come out on top was a great feeling.
What are you looking forward to most about the World Championships in Calgary?
I am just looking forward to testing myself against the worlds elite. I have trained hard and am ready to compete!
How have you been preparing for the Worlds?
Nothing out of the ordinary I suppose. I am just knuckling down, getting plenty of court time in and training hard on my fitness.
You are one of 15 members on Team Ireland….how have you found the experience thus far and how are you getting on with the other team members?
To captain the team is a great honour and I am delighted to captain such a good bunch of players. There is a great team morale and I am sure we we will have a great time and bring home plenty of titles.
Have you any match day superstitions?
No not that I’m aware of anyway.
What is your long-term goal in Handball?
To win a Senior World Title.
What is it about Handball that you enjoy most about everything else?
I love the challenging aspect of the game, and it’s 1v1 nature. I have travelled abroad a fair bit with the game as well and it is always nice to experience new cultures.
Of all the shots in Handball, when executed perfectly, which shot is your favourite?
The roof shot, because I feel like it sets up the rally well.
Apart from you home court, what is your favourite Handball court to play on?
Kells Meath
What do you like to do outside of Handball? Have you had any significant success at other sports?
Football, Hurling and of course my new passion, sailing.
Tell me an interesting fact about yourself that we mightn’t already know.
This is probably not that interesting but I love my runners, and own more than I know, thanks to Gavin Buggy and his crew.