In the run up to one of the biggest weekends of Handball in the calendar year, GAA Handball spoke to reigning Wall-Ball Nationals Champion Martin Mulkerrins (Galway) to discuss his preparation for and thoughts on the Nationals Wall – Ball weekend in Breaffy House Hotel.
At still a very young age, Mulkerrins has already cemented his standing as one of the country's finest Handballers, and one set to claim numerous major honours in the future. The Moycullen man is an exceptionally exciting player to watch given his all out attacking play, and it was that style of play that proved so pivotal when he claimed his first major Senior Title, last years Wallball Nationals Mens Open. There he gained revenge from 12 months previous when seeing over the then reigning champion Conor McElduff in a tiebreak.
With such a track record, and as the current tournament champion, surely Mulkerrins must feel a tremendous amount of pressure before this weekend. The Galway native however claims that being champion or not doesn’t affect his mindset whatsoever. He knows that previous victories will have no bearing over this weekend.
“This tournament field is one of, if not the strongest field that I have seen. But I don’t feel any additional pressure!."
He further elaborates that for this reason, most people (both players and spectators) would agree that there are numerous players that could easily win this weekend. This tournament’s outcome will just come down to whomever performs best in their respective games.
Though Mulkerrins is reserved about his prospect of winning this weekend, it is impossible to forget that he has only once been defeated in this code in two years, also winning at Inis Mór Wall twice and the Williamstown tournament once. In typical fashion Mulkerrins responds humbly:
“Yes, I have won a few tournaments in the past year or so, but they were all close calls.”
He also adds that there are some daunting contenders who will be firing on all cylinders this weekend.
"Conor McElduff (Tyrone) of course will be feeling confident after he prevailed as Ulster champion last weekend after coming through an extremely formidable tournament. Paudi Quish (Limerick) has won a European Wall-Ball Pro Tour title and the Munster Provincial Wallball championship last weekend so he will be coming this weekend expecting to win as well."
McElduff & Quish occupy the #2 & #3 seeds, whilst Westmeath's Robbie McCarthy completes the top 4, ahead of a talented chasing pack (See Draw below).
Now that the National Wall-Ball weekend festival has become such a staple point of the Clár, GAA Handball asked Mulkerrins about his preparation for the task at hand.
"The past few months have not allowed me ideal circumstances to train. I submitted my Masters thesis at the beginning of June there and this week I am in Wales on a study tour. Nevertheless, I am feeling confident and looking forward to the tournament."
Speaking of the tournament itself, Mulkerrins states that he is a fan of the format. He particularly enjoys the final being played centre stage on Saturday night. He mentions that it allowed for a great atmosphere the past two years and that it seemed like an enjoyable experience for the spectators and for him, it was great to be part of such a special event.
To see Mulkerrins and all the other phenomenal athletes in action this weekend, make sure you are one of the crowd in Breaffy House Hotel on Friday 30th June, Sat 1st & Sunday 2nd July 2017.