Handball: McCann to play it smart as top titles up for grabs
January 26, 2012Players of the highest caliber include recently crowned USA junior winners, Clare's Colin Crehan (Under 17) and Cork's Killian Carroll (Under 19), former Irish minor champion, Galway's Martin Mulkerrins and Monaghan's Darren Doherty are just four of the rising young stars in the game aspiring for silverware in the adult grades.
One player who certainly knows what to expect in championship handball is four times Golden Gloves victor, Antrim's Ricky McCann. The Gort Na Mona clubman has played across the world and has been a regular top five ranked player in Ireland for well over a decade.
He has always been a close finisher in the major events since 2000 but he has never realized his dream goal of an All-Ireland senior gong. The fact is, few players have in that period have managed the illustrious feat. Only three men, Dublin's Eoin Kennedy, Cork's Tony Healy and Brady have shared the most sought after title since 1999.
The top flight has enjoyed some absorbing contests in recent times but only Brady has reached the pinnacle since 2005. Runner up in 2010 and 2011, Armagh's Charlie Shanks is currently out of the equation as he now resides in New York where he has established himself as a top 5 player on the US circuit.
That leaves Westmeath's Robbie McCarthy as the number one contender for Brady's throne. McCarthy stopped Dublin's Kennedy from capturing his eighth 60x30 singles softball win last September and he is in pole position to do likewise against Brady this term. While Brady has missed out on serious 40x20 action since last year's triumph due to injury, McCarthy has scooped the 2011 US Open title last October in California in the interim. The gap has surely narrowed between the two since Brady controlled the Mullingar ace in the 2011 semis.
The National crown is somewhat in the distance right now but next weekend, Brady will be gunning for the Ulster senior title. McCann is seeded at two for the Ulster provincial battle behind Brady and would be considered as his chief threat alongside Kingscourt's Michael Finnegan.
Regarded as one of the fittest and most finely tuned senior athletes on the circuit, the 33 year old fitness instructor in SINI, McCann has tweaked his approach this season to ensure he is as competitive as ever for all the main events in 2012. That includes the World Championships, scheduled for the City West Arena in October.
"Preparations for the upcoming season have been deliberately slow. In the past I would have been flying at this time of year only to be burned out by the end of February or March. For me, it's all about getting it right for the worlds. My main target is the worlds. Through injuries and work, I've never played in them so this is the main tournament for me," said the near veteran McCann.
"In terms of being regarded as an experienced campaigner, it's sad but true. I can no longer rely on athleticism and fitness as much as I used to so it's all about playing smart for me now."
"The key men in Ulster are the usual suspects. Of course you have Paul Brady, and then there's Michael Finnegan whose playing well and very relaxed as is Sean Devine (Antrim) and then you have the younger Tyrone lads coming through like Dara Daly."
"Looking at the whole of Ireland, you'll have Mc Carthy (Robbie) who has improved his conditioning over the past few years as he's always had the talent. Then you have the likes of Eoin Kennedy (Dublin), Joe Mc Cann (Mayo) and the dark horse is young Killian Carroll from Cork (another Tony Healy) who has an amazing future ahead of him."
The twice USA Open doubles winner and former Boston Open champion, McCann, enters the senior title race with as much experience under his belt as any other in the draw. With his equally effective hands, thorough knowledge of the 40x20 court and highly tuned anticipatory skills, he may still prove too big a hurdle for many including that younger talent aiming to break through.
Meanwhile there will also be top class action in Munster, Leinster and Connacht. In the Leinster series, Westmeath's Robbie McCarthy will be top seeded with players such as Meath's Brian Carroll and Wexford's Gavin Buggy amongst his main challengers for top ranking points. In Munster there is one of the most competitive events in years with a host of rising young stars emerging. Diarmaid Nash (Clare) will be top seeded with Seamus O'Carroll (Limerick), Dominick Lynch (Kerry), Killian Carroll (Cork) and Ger Coonan (Tipperary) all part of a highly competitive field. In Connacht Dessie Keegan, Joe McCann and Vinnie Moran (all Mayo) will hold the aces but many eyes will be focusing on Galway's rising star, Martin Mulkerrins, in the series.
In the ladies, Antrim's Fiona Shannon and Aisling Reilly will be top seeded with highly regarded Down starlet, Lorraine Havern, sure to go close while Marianna Rushe and Leona Doolin (both Roscommon) and Pauline Gallagher (Mayo) will be amongst the top seeds in a competitive Connacht Ladies Open series. In Munster things could not be more interesting as Kerry's Maria Daly ultimately goes in search of a 3rd consecutive All Ireland Senior Singles title while Cork prodigy, Catriona Casey, actually claimed the Munster senior crown 12 months ago while still a minor. Ashley Prendiville will ensure this to be a riveting competition. In Leinster, Wicklow's Shauna Hilley will be hoping to start a memorable year with another provincial title win. Tweet
