. The United States
Handball Association open Junior Nationals were held in San
Francisco from the 27th December to 30th December 1999. It was
a wonderful experience for me to take part in this competition and
it is the highlight of my playing career so far. To take part in this
competition I had to qualify by playing in the trials and winning
my place on the Irish Team. I travelled to Dublin every Saturday to
train at Croke Park with the Irish team who were Noel McHugh, Of Galway15
and under, Michael Gregan of Wicklow17 and under, Fiona Healy of Kildare
19 and under, and Dessie Keegan of Mayo 19 and under. We were coached
and trained by Jimmy King of Wexford who is the National Handball
coach and Bridín Ní Mhaolagáin assistant coach. The training involved
running, sprinting, circuit training and drills. On the last day of
official training we were presented with track- suits, playing gear
and sports bags.
We left Dublin Airport on the 20th December 1999 for Chicago and then travelled on to San Francisco arriving at 12 00 at night. We had six days to recover from jet lag and acclimatise ourselves before the games started.
The games were held at the Royal Athletic Club in San Mateo. There were ten alleys, a swimming pool, saunas and a gym in the club and the facilities were brilliant. We trained every morning for two to three hours to get used to the speed of the ball and the humid conditions. The remainder of the day we spent sight- seeing and shopping. The weather was lovely and sunny. On St. Stephens Day we had to sign in. There were 170 participants in different age groups taking part. The draws were made and posted on the board. The games started on the 27th December at 9.00am. My first game was at 5.00pm against Danielle Cowie of Canada. It was a long time to wait and I was very nervous. The game went well and I beat her easily. I was glad to see the first game over.
My next game was the semi-Final against Jenine Wilson of Ontario, Canada. This game was a little tougher but I won well in the end.
I was through to the final and thrilled but very nervous! All the Irish players reached the finals. It was a marvellous feeling.
My game was scheduled for 10.30am on Wednesday 29th December. My opponent in the final was Courtney Peixoto of Watsonville, California. The first game went well and I beat her 21-8, the second game was very close all the way through. Courtney was serving for the match at 20-19 but I fought back and broke her serve. I had two good serves down the left side of the court, which she could not return. I beat her 21-20.
I was glad the game was over and thrilled that I had won. Of the five Irish players on the team who went to San Francisco two were beaten in the final, and three won. Four other Irish players travelled with us. Brendan Fleming of Ballydesmond, Damien Martin of Roscommon, Ciarán Meenagh of Tyrone and Barry McAndrew of Waterford. These players were narrowly beaten in the semi-finals.
This was an experience I will always remember. It was a great honour to represent my club, county and country.
We left Dublin Airport on the 20th December 1999 for Chicago and then travelled on to San Francisco arriving at 12 00 at night. We had six days to recover from jet lag and acclimatise ourselves before the games started.
The games were held at the Royal Athletic Club in San Mateo. There were ten alleys, a swimming pool, saunas and a gym in the club and the facilities were brilliant. We trained every morning for two to three hours to get used to the speed of the ball and the humid conditions. The remainder of the day we spent sight- seeing and shopping. The weather was lovely and sunny. On St. Stephens Day we had to sign in. There were 170 participants in different age groups taking part. The draws were made and posted on the board. The games started on the 27th December at 9.00am. My first game was at 5.00pm against Danielle Cowie of Canada. It was a long time to wait and I was very nervous. The game went well and I beat her easily. I was glad to see the first game over.
My next game was the semi-Final against Jenine Wilson of Ontario, Canada. This game was a little tougher but I won well in the end.
I was through to the final and thrilled but very nervous! All the Irish players reached the finals. It was a marvellous feeling.
My game was scheduled for 10.30am on Wednesday 29th December. My opponent in the final was Courtney Peixoto of Watsonville, California. The first game went well and I beat her 21-8, the second game was very close all the way through. Courtney was serving for the match at 20-19 but I fought back and broke her serve. I had two good serves down the left side of the court, which she could not return. I beat her 21-20.
I was glad the game was over and thrilled that I had won. Of the five Irish players on the team who went to San Francisco two were beaten in the final, and three won. Four other Irish players travelled with us. Brendan Fleming of Ballydesmond, Damien Martin of Roscommon, Ciarán Meenagh of Tyrone and Barry McAndrew of Waterford. These players were narrowly beaten in the semi-finals.
This was an experience I will always remember. It was a great honour to represent my club, county and country.
Maria
Daly's Own Story
