It’s fair to say that Catriona Casey and Aishling O’Keeffe have been the pre-eminent doubles team in world handball over the past 10 years, at home or abroad, writes Paul Fitzpatrick.
The Cork duo won their first senior Softball Doubles title in 2013 and landed that particular title eight times. In the 40x20 court, they have won the Senior Doubles seven times. It’s a truly extraordinary record for two players who were introduced to the game together as eight-year-olds in the Ballydesmond club and who are showing no signs of slowing down.
2023 has been a big year so far for O’Keeffe as she tied the knot to John Walsh early in the year before winning the 4-Wall doubles and then adding the US Nationals/Worlds Invitational in Minneapolis.
For all of their experience together, though, the pair still focus on high-quality doubles training games in the run-up to competitions. Aishling is based in Dublin and Catriona in Ennis but last week, they were back home running a summer camp in their club and they made sure to get some doubles games in.
“Training has been going well, Catriona and I were both at home this week doing a Ballydesmond Handball Club summer camp at home, there were 29 kids in the camp so we had a great time,” O’Keeffe said.
“We got some local games in Cullen which is about 15 minutes from Ballydesmond. We have been playing together a long time but I still think it’s important to get our training games in together, it’s very, very important. We might know each other’s games very well but at the same time, you have to keep practising together and training together.
“I know we’ve been playing together since we were eight years of age but we still try to get as much doubles practice in as we can.”
Unfortunately, there were just two entries in the ladies Senior Softball Doubles this year but to make up for the lack of competitive games, the Cork women put a strong emphasis on training.
“It is difficult coming straight into a final, we just tried to get as many training games as we could but it’s a pity there weren’t more entries, we’d love to have had more games. But we tried to get in as many training games as we could to make up for it.”
O’Keeffe rails against the suggestion that, having won so much, the motivation might dip. Each title is something to be cherished, she says, and both players are determined to give it everything they have now that they’re in the prime of their careers.
“The hunger doesn’t fade. I would say we stay motivated because every senior title is so important and special. We forget about what we’ve won in the past and just focus on what’s ahead of us. Every one is different, they’re all special and important and that’s what keeps you motivated.”
Being pushed to an 11-10 tiebreaker in the 40x20 final by Ciana Ní Churraoín and Niamh Heffernan of Galway, as well as the chance to make history in the new National Handball Centre, ensures there is no chance of complacency or a drop in focus.
“It would be extra special to win the first Senior Doubles final in the new 60x30 in Croke Park. It was very special when we won the first 40x20 in March so it would be amazing to do the double. The new facilities in Croke Park are amazing, the 60x30 court is a really lovely alley to play in and it would be absolutely fantastic to win there.”
Despite having played in so many big games, there will still be some butterflies ahead of today’s final, she admitted.
“I would get nervous before games, especially when it’s a final, you’d always be nervous. I think that’s part and parcel of playing and I always think nerves are a good thing, it means you’re getting ready and set to play.”
Fixtures and information:
Venue: NHC Croke Park, Dublin OIC: GAA Handball (085-8719537) Time: 12pm
LSD Final: Cork (Catriona Casey & Aishling O’Keefe) V Kilkenny (Ciara Mahon & Amy Brennan)
MSD Final: Meath (Brian Carroll & Gary McConnell) V Galway (Martin Mulkerrins & Diarmuid Mulkerrins)
* Parking for the program is limited and for wheelchair access pass holders only, it will operate on a first come first served basis. Parking will be available in the Car Park of O’Connell’s schools off North Circular Road, at a cost of €10 for the day. Car Park will open from 11am. Inform stewards that you are parking for GAA Handball. The event will be an all-ticket affair, as the area will be closed off due to matches in the main Croke Park Stadium. Please have printed out or digital passes ready for inspection at the barriers.
Purchase tickets here