Handball: Watch out USA

With hopes of exacting revenge for their 2005 defeat, Ireland’s Casey Lawlor Cup team will take to the courts of San Francisco today in preparation for a showdown against America’s top handballers in the Californian city tomorrow.

“We’re really looking forward to the challenge,” said Irish captain, Cork’s Tony Healy. “We lost out on points difference to the US in 2005 and this year we are under pressure to take the Casey Lawlor Cup back home.”

The Casey Lawlor Cup is named in memory of a 21-game epic battle (known as the first world championships) which took place between two of the best handballers on either side of the Atlantic, John Lawlor and Phillip Casey, in Cork in 1886 and in New York in 1887.

The current tournament is run on a similar basis to the Ryder Cup and will feature five Irish players pitted against a top American selection. Kilkenny handball legend, Michael ‘Ducksy’ Walsh will also feature and competes against California’s John Bike in a Masters (40+) exhibition game worth one point. Two points are designated to each of the other five games, and the tournament will be hosted at the magnificent South End Rowing Club on Fisherman’s Wharf.
Spearheading the Irish challenge will be team captain and current Irish number one seed,
Healy, who faces a though battle against the in-form Sean Lenning from Seattle. Lenning came close to taking World Champion, Cavan’s Paul Brady at the recent US Open, losing out 11-10 in a nail-biting tiebreaker which the Washington State player at one stage led 10-7.

The Ballydesmond handballer had a hugely successful domestic season in 2007, capturing the Men's Open Singles titles at the Ulster International Open in February, the FBD Irish Nationals in March and the St. Paul's Golden Gloves (40x20) Tournament in October. In the absence of Brady, Healy is the leader in the pack and the Irish squad will be counting on a good performance from the rebel.

Second in pecking order is Dublin dynamo, Eoin Kennedy, and the St Brigid’s player will face former World number one, and one of the best handballers of this generation, Naty Alvarado Junior. Like Healy, Kennedy has also recorded some impressive wins this year, and as the master of the big alley, he collected a Grand Slam of titles in 2007, taking the All-Ireland 60x30 Singles and Doubles crowns, in addition to Hardball Singles and Doubles honours. This will be an interesting pairing, but Kennedy is a great fighter and could take the two points.

Third up to the action is Mayo’s heavy hitter, Dessie Keegan, who will renew rivalries with California's Emmett Peixoto. Keegan demonstrated his team credential last weekend with his club side Ballaghaderreen, who booked their place in the Open Club Championship Final and are now on course to take their fourth All-Ireland 40x20 Club title. Keegan and Peixoto have fought out some great wars in the past, and the American defeated Keegan in his last Collegiate Final in 2005. The pair played out one of the best recorded games in handball history at the last Casey Lawlor Cup, where the Irish man finished on top; Emmet Peixoto has a long memory.

Fourth to the fray is Armagh's Charly Shanks, who faces young-gun, Allan Garner from Texas. Shanks, who just returned from representing Ireland at the Basque International One-Wall Championships, captured the Men's Open Singles One-Wall title at this year's
Irish Nationals and has progressed steadily since moving to the senior ranks in the 40x20 court. Ireland will be relying on two points from this game, as Belfast’s Owen McKenna concludes the two point action.
McKenna, from the Davitt's club, won the qualifier tournament to secure his place on the Irish team where he defeated Wicklow's Michael Gregan in the final. McKenna is no stranger to the American playing field and travelled to a number of Pro-stops when he first hit the Irish Senior handball stage. He will play Arizona's Luis Moreno in what looks set to be a cracking game with both players seeking to make a mark for the future.

Michael "Ducksy" Walsh and former US No. 1, John Bike will wrap up proceedings with a one-point game, which could ultimately prove the decider in who takes the Casey Lawlor Cup in 2007 and bragging rights for the next two years.