Cork's Killian Carroll is expected by many to follow in the footpath of players in the calibre of Cavan's Paul Brady and Westmeath's Robbie McCarthy and reach the pinnacle of the Irish game in the coming years.

The Mallow club man has already bagged international honours, which includes two US Junior National victories at under15 and 17 levels and is the current All-Ireland minor singles and doubles champion.

The highly gifted Carroll is super quick around the front court and possesses anticipation skills equal to any for his age in world handball. He will be hoping to use all his experience to date combined with his wide repertoire of skills to book his place on the Irish junior team next weekend.

A win for Carroll at the Irish Junior Nationals in Kilkenny would see him challenge for a third title at the prestigious USA event, scheduled for Tucson, Arizona this Christmas.

Last weekend at the Golden Gloves senior ranking event, Carroll sent out a clear signal of intent to all his key challengers for the 19 and under slot. At the Belfast venue, Carroll was playing at a very high level and proved that he could compete and beat some of the top senior players in the domestic game.

He overcame 2011 Irish Nationals runner up, Clare's Diarmuid Nash in the opening round to set him on his way before toppling Cork's Brendan Fleming in the quarter finals. The Mallow club man then needed a tiebreak to advance against Mayo's Stephen Cooney in the semis before losing the final showdown to former senior doubles victor, Ballaghadereen's Joe McCann. Such experiences in the senior code may prove highly beneficial to teenager, Carroll, in Kilkenny.

"My golden gloves experience was the best experience I've had to date. Not just over the fact of getting to the final but by playing my opponent Joe McCann who displayed how senior handball should be played. This has given me an idea of what I'm up against and the things I need to improve on to be able to play at senior level," said the affable Carroll.

Blessed with pace and lightening quick reflexes the Cork man prepares meticulously as did the last senior All-Ireland champion from the Rebel County, Ballydesmond's four time winner, Tony Healy.

"My preparation will consist of practising on my weaknesses both inside and outside the handball court but this is more so for my long term goals."

There are other capable junior players keen to make the Arizona trip as part of the official Irish set up next month.

All-Ireland minor hardball winner, Kildare's Niall O'Connor will have been given a great boost after ousting number one seed, Antrim's Ricky McCann at the Golden Gloves.

Galway's Martin Mulkerrins grabbed his second successive All-Ireland 60x30 minor singles title in September. Mulkerrins goes head to head with Eoghan Hennessy (Coolnaleen) next Saturday at O'Loughlins, Kilkenny while Carroll clashes with Chris Philpott (Kilkishen) in his opening match.

Others in the draw including Leixlip club man, O'Connor that can contest the top spot include Wicklow's Keith Kavanagh, Monaghan's Terry McElvaney and Clare's Ciaran Malone.

"The main opponents in the junior nationals are Martin Mulkerrins and Niall O'Connor. Also there are a few players that I think may cause a surprise. I do think that this will be the toughest junior nationals to date and it will be very difficult to win the trip to America," said Carroll.

Great interest will be channelled to this intriguing battle for the chief bracket on the official Irish side and few would bet against the current minor singles and doubles winner and under 23 Irish Nationals champ, Carroll, from going all the way.

The 2011 Irish Junior 40x20 Nationals will swing into action next Saturday but competition for the highly sought after places on the Irish team will commence with a series of initial qualifier matches this weekend. Tweet

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