By Paul Fitzpatrick
To coin a phrase, there's no rest for the talented – especially in the world of elite GAA handball.
Cork star Catriona Casey, interviewed recently by the WPH's Dave Fink, mentioned that the lack of an off-season is one of the “biggest challenges” for top players.
“But,” she added, “it's not a big deal when you're doing something you enjoy so much.”
That sentiment rings true this weekend as Casey will be in action in a WPH event in New York just days before taking on her great rival Aisling Reilly in the All-Ireland Senior Singles final as part of the eagerly-awaited handball festival in Kingscourt on March 19.
The Ballydesmond 22-year-old defeated Limerick's Martina McMahon in straight games in the All-Ireland semi-final last Saturday and flew to New York on Monday.
Once there, she's likely to cross swords with her Munster rival again.
“Martina is travelling over as well so there'll be no easy titles there, especially with the games to 15, that will be tough, shorter games can be more intense,” Casey said.
“It's a good challenge, I know people have kind of discouraged me from travelling so close to the All-Ireland final but my schedule has been a lot clearer this year because I'm no longer in the US Collegiates or Irish Inter-varsities and we'd less pro stops so it will be my first trip of the year and I'm confident I can recover in time.”
Casey's rivalry with Belfast powerhouse Aisling Reilly is one of the most gripping in the sport at present and the pair, who met in last August's World Championships final in Canada, will clash again in the All-Ireland decider on Saturday week.
Losing the triennial Worlds, in a heartbreaking 11-8 tiebreaker, hurt Casey but the recently-qualified schoolteacher is determined to learn the lessons defeat teaches.
“Obviously it was very tough. Three years is a long time to wait again to get another chance at a world title but obviously there are lots of titles up for grabs,” she said.
“The All-Ireland is my main focus for this year. Losses drive everyone on I think and hopefully I'll be able to come out on top this time.
“Over the last two and a half, three years, Aisling and I played an awful lot. In terms of preparing myself, there's no point in over-thinking it, going back over previous games, you have to learn from them but you can't get too emotional about it either. You have to focus.
“I'm delighted to get another chance to play Aisling again so I'm looking forward to it.”
In the meantime, she has been working hard on her own game. Her aim is to hustle and dig out more shots and, technically, to improve her conversion rate off the back wall.
“I've been working on a better work-rate. I always feel like I do go in there and give it my all but myabe I don't chase down every shot or I hadn't been and that's what I'm trying to do now. I've been working on teachnical things, like my backwall game, I was scooping the ball a lot previously sop I'm trying to get a better swing on it.”
Holding off a shooter like McMahon in straight games (21-15, 21-12) has given her confidence ahead of this weekend's event and the All-Ireland final, she said.
“I'm really happy and relieved to be honest because Martina has come on so much in the last two years. She has always been a good player but she seems to have got her confidence now.
“When we played in the Munster final, it went to three games so obviously I'm happy to get out of there in two and I'm looking forward to the final now.
“I did make a few errors. Adjust my style? I just really had to fight for everything. She is an explosive player and on her day she is very difficult to beat because she's killing the ball from deep and we're not talking about two-inch high kills. She's rolling the ball.
“Playing a lefty you do have to adjust and focus on directing the ball down the right-hand side of the court but not letting that take over either.”