The resurgence of Antrim juvenile handball continues this week with a major milestone.
The Antrim county handball board have sent an eight-strong county squad to represent them at the European Wallball Junior Championships which take place in the Netherlands this weekend.
The Antrim squad consists of Aoibhin Fallon (Naomh Gall, 13&U), Cliona McGinley (Naomh Éanna 13&U), Sophia Brown (O’Donovan Rossa, 15 &U), Meadhbh Gallagher (O’Donovan Rossa, 15 &U), Adam McCahey (O’Donovan Rossa, 13&U), Darragh McIlroy (Naomh Éanna, 13&U), Niall Lemon (Naomh Éanna, 15&U) and Shea Bell (Naomh Éanna, 15&U) and they will be joined on the trip by Cork’s Cian Dunning (17&U).
“This squad will mix it against 300 of the best young players in Europe,” stated Dan McVicker, adult player and team coach.
“It’s a huge honour for these players along with Cian Dunning from Cork to be the first Irish players to compete in these Championships.”
Kill Shot Handball Gloves were delighted to come on board to sponsor a free pair of our new Pro Wallball gloves for each of the nine Irish players attending the event. The squad are pictured with their new gloves (above), as worn by Irish number one Conor McElduff, in the photo above.
Antrim ran a trials series before Christmas which attracted approximately 60 entrants from various clubs and selected their eight-player squad for the prestigious event.
The Antrim squad will benefit hugely from handball legend Fiona Shannon’s many years of international competition experience. Fiona is head coach for the trip and her own niece, Meadhbh Gallagher, is competing.
The championships take place in the town of Menaldum in the province of Friesland. The Irish players flew out this morning (Thursday).
Grades are 11&U through to 19&U, with players from the host country, Belgium and the UK as well as Ireland.
“Traditions have to start somewhere,” commented Antrim chairperson Paul Graham.
To purchase Kill Shot Pro Wallball gloves, click here.
Comentarios