The official 15-strong Irish squad for the World Championships is currently in Calgary, Canada with hopes high among the team members for a successful championships.

Cavan's four time World Champion Paul Brady and Team Captains Robbie McCarthy and Aisling Reilly lead the list of potential winners as the cream of Handballers from across the World descend on Calgary in Canada for the two-week championships.

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail has passed on his best wishes to the players who will be representing the GAA over the next fortnight.

"The World Handball Championships marks the culmination of three years of training and dedication for all the competitors taking part. Our Handball players provide a very important international dimension to the GAA and to represent Ireland is a wonderful achievement. I know they will do the Association proud. On behalf of the GAA I would like to wish the GAA Handball Team Ireland the very best of luck in the World Championships."

The competition starts with the with the One Wall competition at the Clearwater Academy. Team Ireland are represented by Tyrone's Conor McElduff and Cork's Catriona Casey at Open level while at 19&Under level Monaghan's Darren Doherty flies the flag alongside Tyrone's Maeve McElduff.

The 40x20 competition kicks off on Saturday 15th August with Team Captains Robbie McCarthy from Westmeath and Aisling Reilly from Antrim leading the team into battle. Reigning four time World champion Paul Brady will start the defence of his crown and his bid for his fifth World title on Sunday 15th and will start as favourite in the Mens Open Grade. Brady will also partner Cavan's Michael Finnegan in the Doubles while Reilly pairs up with Limerick's Martina McMahon.

At Juvenile level Clare's Colin Corbett and Galway's Ciana Ní Churraoin will fly the flag at 19&Under level while Wexford's Daniel Kavanagh and Tyrone's Eilise McCrory will be the 17&Under Representatives. Clare's Tiarnan Agnew and Limerick's Catriona Millane will be the 15&Under Representatives in what is seen as the strongest Irish team in recent years to make the trip to a World Championships.

Updates throughout the tournament will be available on www.gaahandball.ie or on Facebook GAA Handball and Twitter @GAA_Handball.

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