Few women in sport across the globe can boast three world titles at the very top of their chosen discipline. Antrim's Fiona Shannon has achieved such status over a period of six years and next October the extremely gifted talent from West Belfast will strive to get her hands on a fourth consecutive world crown. Shannon was honoured at the 2011 GAA Handball Awards Banquet in Croke Park when she scooped the International player of the year a following the Ulster GAA Writers Ulster Female handballer for 2011 accolade.



For any serious elite competitor, the next twelve months offers great opportunities with particular reference to the 2012 World Handball Championships scheduled for the City West Events Arena, Dublin next October. A win for the 33 year old this time around would mean an incredible fourth world gong inside a decade.



Shannon took her first title in Dublin in 2003 before going on to seal victories in Edmonton in 2006 and Portland in 2009. She will now be the favourite to capture a fourth title, especially now with the action back on home turf again.



"I'm looking forward to the coming year and will take each competition as they come as a build up to the world championships in October. Although my ultimate goal for 2012 is to win my 4th consecutive title, there are other titles that I want to win on the lead up to this and will use these as building blocks throughout the year leading to the worlds."



"I have the All Ireland singles title to win back from the current holder Maria Daly (Kerry) and of course I hope to retain the Irish Nationals title. It's definitely going to be an exciting year to come especially with so many talented girls after the world crown but I am ready for the year ahead and will do my utmost to retain my crown. The drive and determination is there and I am driven even more so by the fact that it is on home soil where I first won the title 9 years ago."



It can't have been easy for the Antrim player to have remained at the pinnacle of the sport for so long while combining a serious training regime and being a mother of two. "I sacrifice a lot to stay at the top of my game especially with my two girls. It means me being out of the house training a few nights a week and the older they get the harder it gets as they tell you they want you to stay in."



Shannon has always been recognised as a gifted player even in the junior ranks when she swept opponents aside with consummate ease. She has been able to stay in superb athletic shape through the years and combine that with her unequalled experiences and a sheer determination to succeed, few would bet against the world's best player from staying put for at least one more season.



"Winning the titles makes this all worth while so its 100% all the way for the year ahead. After the last worlds I took a year out as I felt I needed a break and my children needed more of my time. Now that I have had this, my motivation and drive for the game is back and I am ready to give it my all for one more year. If all goes to plan I can retire on a high with a clean sweep - here's hoping."


Photo Captions:

All Stars awards 24.jpg - Official of the Year 2011 Award: Tommy Hegarty (Clare) receiving his award from Uachtaran GAA, Christy Cooney and Uachtaran GAA Handball Ireland, Walter O'Connor

All Stars awards 21.jpg - Special Achievement Award: Andrew Dowling (Laois) receiving his award from Uachtaran GAA, Christy Cooney, and Uachtaran GAA Handball Ireland, Walter O'Connor

All Stars awards 22.jpg - Coach Award: Aengus Cunningham (Roscommon) receiving his award from Uachtaran GAA, Christy Cooney, and Uachtaran GAA Handball Ireland, Walter O'Connor

All Stars awards 23.jpg - Clubperson Award: Sean Clarke (Tyrone) receiving his award from Uachtaran GAA, Christy Cooney, and Uachtaran GAA Handball Ireland, Walter O'Connor

All Stars awards 20.jpg - Team Award: Barry Goff & Colin Keeling (Wexford) receiving their award from Uachtaran GAA, Christy Cooney, and Uachtaran GAA Handball Ireland, Walter O'Connor

All Stars awards 19.jpg - Hall of Fame Award: Joey Maher (Louth) receiving his award from Uachtaran GAA, Christy Cooney, and Uachtaran GAA Handball Ireland, Walter O'Connor

All Stars awards 18.jpg - International Player All Star Award: Fiona Shannon (Antrim) receiving her award from Uachtaran GAA, Christy Cooney, and Uachtaran GAA Handball Ireland, Walter O'Connor


All Stars awards 17.jpg - Masters Player All Star Award: Ducksy Walsh (Kilkenny) receiving his award from Special Guests, DJ Carey and Peter Canavan

All Stars awards 16.jpg - Youth Ladies Player All Star Award: Ciana Ni Churraoin (Galway) receiving her award from Special Guests, DJ Carey and Peter Canavan

All Stars awards 15.jpg - Youth Male Player All Star Award: Killian Carroll (Cork) receiving his award from Special Guests, DJ Carey and Peter Canavan.


All Stars awards 14.jpg - Young Ladies Player All Star Award: Catriona Casey (Cork) receiving her award from Special Guests, DJ Carey and Peter Canavan.

All Stars awards 13.jpg - Young Male Player All Star Award: Niall O'Connor (Kildare) receiving his award from Special Guests, DJ Carey and Peter Canavan.

All Stars awards 12.jpg - PRESIDENT'S AWARD: Uachtaran GAA Handball Ireland, Walter O'Connor, presents the President's Award for services to GAA Handball to Steise Clerkin, representing her husband, Sean Clerkin (RIP).

All Stars awards 9.jpg - Club of the Year 2011 All Star Award: Liam O Ceallaigh and John Paul O'Connor representing Mount Talbot Handball Club receiving the award from Uachtaran GAA Handball Ireland, Walter O'Connor, and Sponsor, Kieran Kennedy of O'Neill's International.


All Stars awards 10.jpg - Male All Star Player of the Year 2011 Award: Westmeath's Robbie McCarthy receiving his award from Uachtaran GAA Handball Ireland, Walter O'Connor, and Sponsor, Kieran Kennedy of O'Neill's International.

All Stars awards 11.jpg - Female All Star Player of the Year 2011 Award: Kerry's Maria Daly receiving her award from Uachtaran GAA Handball Ireland, Walter O'Connor, and Sponsor, Kieran Kennedy of O'Neill's International. Tweet

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