Further evidence of why Robert McCarthy Jnr is regarded as the brightest prospect in Irish handball was provided when he won a sting of titles over the past 12 months. The remarkable success of Robert McCarthy Jnr provided the highlight of another eventful year for Westmeath handball. The gifted youngster from Lynn Heights in Mullingar literally swept all before him in 2004 and he has carried that excellent form into the early part of 2005. Given his achievements over the past few years, it's hardly surprising that McCarthy is tipped for great things with many astute followers of the game expecting him to become a major player on the world stage. McCarthy, who is also a noted underage footballer with Mullingar Shamrocks, couldn't have wished for a better start to 2004 when he returned home from Modesto, California as USHA 17-and-under singles and doubles champion. In the singles final, he defeated Meath's Brian Carroll 21-13, 21-16. There was no stopping Robert either in the doubles final when he teamed up with Delvin's John O'Shaughnessy to defeat Carroll and his Tipperary partner, Ger Coonan. Further success followed for McCarthy in April when he again got the better of Coonan to capture his first All-Ireland 40x20 minor title in Kilkenny. The Mullingar man was quickly into his stride and took an early 7-1 lead. With his powerful right hand shots, McCarthy took full advantage of any mistakes by Coonan and pulled away to win the first game by 21-10. The second game was a lot closer but McCarthy finished strongly to wrap up the victory. In September, McCarthy added the All-Ireland 60x30 minor title when brushing aside the challenge of Waterford's Patrick Hurney 21-2, 21-5 at Croke Park. Earlier, he had beaten Brian Carroll to be crowned Leinster champion. He also linked up with John O'Shaughnessy to claim the All-Ireland 40x20 minor doubles crown. Over the Christmas period, McCarthy enjoyed further glory when he won two titles at the USHA junior handball championships in Des Moines, Iowa. He defeated American Aaron Garner 21-8, 21-20 to land the under 17 singles title and then teamed up with Brian Carroll to win the under 19 doubles event. McCarthy and Carroll got nothing easy from the Garner brothers, Aaron and Allan, in the doubles final, winning 21-18 in the first game and 21-19 in the second. It was a real family occasion for the McCarthys with Robert's sisters Aoife, Natasha and Katie all competing in the girls events. They were joined by fellow Mullingar handballer Aimee Mahon, who also gave a good account of herself. And Robert's younger brother, Ricky, won the under 9 singles consolation final when he comfortably beat American Brittyn Bidegain. Ricky had performed with distinction in the first round match against the eventual winner, only losing by a narrow margin. Speaking on his return from America, Robbie McCarthy Snr - who coaches Robert Jnr - noted: "Robert did very well to win the singles against a very tough opponent and the doubles game was also a very tough match. All in all, I was delighted with how everyone performed and we really enjoyed it." Being eligible for the minor grade again this year, McCarthy has his sights set on retaining his All-Ireland 40x20 and 60x30 titles and is intent on winning every competition he enters. With 17 All-Ireland titles, four World titles and nine USHA successes already to his credit, he is arguably Westmeath's most successful sportsman and appears destined for greatness in the years ahead. Mullingar Handball complex officially opened The official opening of Mullingar Handball Club's impressive new complex at Springfield took place on January 22 last. The opening was performed by Irish Handball Council president Tony Hayes and other guests included Irish Handball Council secretary Lorcan O'Rourke, Westmeath county board chairman Seamus Whelan, Westmeath county board PRO Patrick Doherty, Deputy Willie Penrose and Councillors Dan McCarthy, Detty Cornally and Ruth Illingworth. The premises was blessed by Fr Colm Browne CC, Mullingar. The various speakers, including Mr Hayes and Mr Whelan, were introduced by John Murray, chairman of the Mullingar Handball Club, who traced the history of handball in Mullingar from the original handball court at Mill Road (beside Cusack Park), which was built half a century ago. It was on July 12, 1954 that the trustees of the club, Brendan Walsh, Martin O'Neill, Patrick McCabe and Philip O'Sullivan, purchased an area of two roods and eight perches of land from Westmeath County Council for a princely sum of £110. The work of constructing the handball alley was completed within two years and it was in use by 1957 and remained in continuous use for decades. It was roofed in 1966 with the help of funds collected locally and a small Irish Handball Council grant. Lights were installed in 1978. After the many vicissitudes involving the Mullingar GFC property and the unfinished Sports Complex adjoining the handball alley, the property was eventually sold for development and the club relocated to Springfield where construction work on the new complex began in 1998 and was completed the following year. Mr Murray described how a club committee, comprising Robert McCarthy, Hugh Kiernan, Denis Naughton and himself, had taken the situation forward - through a morass of legal and financial negotiations - to the point where a new complex was constructed for them by local builder Frank Kelly at the present location, and came into use four years ago. He paid tribute to all who had been involved with handball and its promotion in the town over the past half century, and mentioned the various local handballers who had brought honour to the club, from the days of Finian Wyse, Tommy Ledwith and Kit Russell up to Robert McCarthy Jnr. Mr Carroll added that he was looking forward with hope and confidence, but warned that more people needed to become involved to ensure the future of the club. There were many tributes to Robbie McCarthy Snr for his work over the past decade and his encouragement of the youth. Several exhibition games were played during the afternoon, including one between All-Ireland and USHA champions Robert McCarthy Jnr and Brian Carroll from Kells. All in attendance were treated to tea and refreshments by the club's ladies committee. Tweet

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