The last 12 months have seen Corks’ David Walsh establish himself as one of the leading players in the sport. Having qualified for senior ranks by virtue of winning the Intermediate Doubles with Tadhg O’Neill in 2023, the 26-year-old Mallow man has kicked on, reaching the semi-final of the Worlds, winning two rankings tournaments and now qualifying for his first Senior Singles final.
“It’s definitely satisfying to reach your first senior final,” Walsh said after his breakthrough win over Gary McConnell in the semis.
“It just shows the training that you’re doing every day is working and paying off, so I’m looking forward to the final now.”
For Walsh, the journey to the final has not been without its challenges. Playing three high-intensity games in just eight days tested both his physical and mental endurance.
“It was a tough three games in eight days or so there,” he reflected.
“Championship is just different; on the day it can be tougher, the games are longer compared to your tournament-style handball, so the three games in eight days was tough because you have your few niggles and stuff to manage.”
Walsh is keenly aware of the importance of recovery after such a punishing schedule.
“I’ll definitely recover now this first week and then get back training again for the two weeks after that,” he explained.
“I’ll definitely take this week; I might do a small bit towards the end of the week. I didn’t get to do much this week, I think I was in by myself for 20 minutes, that was all, and other than that it was all recovery this week. I’m just glad to get through it. Semi-finals are just about getting over the line really, so I’m glad now to be in the final so I can recover and get back training – the three weeks will be needed.”
His approach to the game is built on a disciplined mentality, treating every point with equal focus, no matter the situation.
“I suppose just treating every point individually as such, whether the score is 14-19 or 0-0, just treat every point the same, just try to win every single point,” Walsh said.
“There’s no point thinking about the score or thinking ‘I’m losing by seven points’ or ‘I’m ahead by seven points’ - it doesn’t really matter at the end of the day. Just play every point as is.”
Walsh’s spectacular spin serves are a huge weapon but, he said, it’s important to be selective when employing them.
“That’s a good question,” he mused.
“To be honest, in that second game there, the one down the middle often catches people straight away, so even if you leave that one for the last few aces, for example, and things like that. If you haven’t thrown a hook in and you’ve been reversing all game, it might have an impact.
“It’s tough enough on the body too, you don’t want to over-do it and sometimes you literally want the ball to go straight down the left,” he said. “There’s no point in over-complicating it by putting a hook or a reverse on it. It’s about just managing it I suppose and not over-thinking it.”
Heading into the final, Walsh remains committed to the routines and habits that have brought him this far.
“Just keep doing what I’m doing to be honest,” he said.
“Whatever I’m doing seems to be working so I’ll just keep focusing on myself, my serves, my returns, my shots, and that’s all I can do really – just focus on what I can do.”
Admission
Admission will be charged for the Senior Singles Finals only. The Showcourt auditorium will be cleared after the morning's matches and admission will be by ticket holders only prior to the Senior Finals, wristbands will be distributed to all patrons, no wristband no access to the Showcourt. Tickets can be purchased from the link below, of which there are two options available:
Main stand: €20 per person
Side Galleries: €15 per person
But tickets here.