Paul Fitzpatrick
The countdown is on for the 31st instalment of the St Paul’s FonaCab Golden Gloves in Belfast (November 16-18), with senior star Charly Shanks – who is part of the organising committee – anticipating one of the best renewals yet.
The 'Gloves' has attracted another stellar field in the Men's Open Singles, with the organisers inviting 12 male players and four females.
“I am happy with the line-up, the lads all came back straight away,” Armagh's Shanks, who will also be competing in the blue riband grade, told GAAHandball.ie.
“We sort of forget that these lads compete out of their own pocket, they pay for their own training and travelling, so when we put up a travel voucher and pay their hotel costs for the weekend they are happy to travel and play. So fair play to them because it's a costly exercise.
“These guys are the best players in the country and the world and it's great to have them at this tournament.”
The Golden Gloves has been a highlight of the handball season for three decades and while it dwindled a little some years ago, it has since been rejuvenated under tournament director Séamus Ó Tuama and has re-established itself as one of the most exciting events on the calendar.
Shanks has happy memories of the tournament from his juvenile days right through his career.
“It has always been a great tournament and one that people really look forward to,” he said.
“I remember great games in it over the years like Ciaran Curran playing Ducksy Walsh, I remember one of my first times in the Open division I played against Stevie Madden... Eoin Kennedy and Tony Healy met in a lot of finals when I was coming through too so those things stay with you.
“There were a lot of top players in Belfast at the time when the Golden Gloves really took off. You had Paddy Crothers, Stevie Madden, Ricky McCann and Sean Devine and Seamus Ó Tuama were in the top 16 so there was a good buzz there in Belfast, there was a fierce rivalry within Belfast clubs in the local tournaments at the time and a real hardcore handball following.”
Shanks is just one of a strong committee of local players who come together to ensure the event is a success each year.
“Everyone does their bit. Sean Digney looks after the accounts, Aisling Reilly helps organise the gear and the top ladies players and Paul Graham does all the fundraising, he has great contacts to bring in sponsorship.
“Socket [Ó Tuama] is the Belfast guy who rounds up all the local volunteers to help out as venue officials and make sure everything runs smoothly. I get the men's players together and do the scheduling for the weekend and the draws.”
This year's line-up looks like one of the best yet, with the likes of Martin Mulkerrins, Diarmiad Nash, Robbie McCarthy, Colin Crehan and Brendan Fleming among those already confirmed.
“We invited the top seniors and the young stars as well, we have the likes of Tiernan Agnew from Clare, Galen Riordan from Wexford, Sean Kerr from Tyrone.
“Last year we had over 150 entries between adults and juveniles so I expect we will hit between 120 and 150 this year.
“All the open games will be in St Paul;s, Rossa for the plate games, Gort na Mona and Colaiste Feirste and we might have to spill over to Queens on the Saturday if entries go above 120.
To enter the Golden Gloves, please click on the link below. There are grades for all ages and levels and each entry comes with a dry fit t-shirt.
Tournament Hotel: Balmoral Hotel (028 9030 1234)
Dates: 16th-18th Nov
Online Entry Link: https://www.klubfunder.com/Clubs/St_Pauls_GAC_Gold...
Entry Deadline: Fri 9th November
Grades:
- Boys 13&U, 15&U, 17&U, 19&U
- Girls 13&U, 15&U, 17&U, 19&U
- Mens Open
- Ladies Open
- Men's A, B, C
- Men's Masters A & B
- Men's Golden Masters
Queries: Email - charlesshanks@hotmail.co.uk