Robbie McCarthy and Colm Jordan begin campaign
Handball - Four Wall Championships
The 2025 4-Wall Championships have kicked off with Mullingar Handball Club youths out in force representing the county in Leinster Championships. The club's senior doubles pairing of Robbie McCarthy Jnr and Colm Jordan also began their All-Ireland bid in style.
While Robbie and Colm saw off Wexford duo Gavin Buggy and Josh Kavanagh with a quick 21-14, 21-3 win, their attention now turns to this coming weekend as they go on to compete against Cork’s David Walsh and Brendan Fleming in the quarter-finals in Croke Park on Sunday February 23.
Last weekend also saw seven of our youths travel to Cullohill after qualifying for Leinster quarter-finals. As a developing club they were up against the stronger counties of Kilkenny and Wexford, but they displayed great handball skill and are improving with each match they play.
Congratulations to all our U12 youths who got to quarter-finals: Luke Cleary McDonnell, Noah Whelehen, Ruairí Heap, Fionnuala Heap, Ziva-Annunziata Patrizi and Éanín Staunton. Most are still eligible for U12 next year.
Congratulations to Éanín who made it through to the semi-finals and also to our U13 and U17 representatives Alanna Staunton and Lauren O’Mara who have qualified for Leinster finals. Wishing the ladies the best of luck in their finals at the weekend.
Euro 1 Wall Tour
Our ‘Dads and Lads’ travelled to Italy at the weekend for the Italian Men’s Open Wallball. While they all did exceptional with it being the first tour stop for some, Brian McCarthy, Dylan Stenson and Tito-Roberto Patrizi reached quarter-finals. It was Enrico Patrizi who was the star of the show once again reaching the Men’s Singles Final. The crowd were on the edge of their seats for the final with Enrico taking game one and his Italian opponent taking game two, forcing a tiebreaker.
The Italian media were stunned as they watched this young 14-year old competing for every point in the Men’s Final. It wasn’t to be for Enrico on this occasion with both players neck and neck on match point, a hand error on the serve gave the opposition the perfect set-up to finish the match. Congratulations to Enrico who brought home silver and also received an award for reaching his personal best on the tour.
Mothers & Others
Big congratulations to our Mothers and Others ladies who competed in Drumlish last weekend. We had three players in the women’s competition with club members Kacie and Anna braving their first ever 'away' fixture. Kacie saw off strong competition from her Kilglass-based opponent to secure the Plate title, with a 15-10 win - a great achievement on her first outing.
Anne and Anna both put in solid performances racking up valuable competition experience and seeing some of their much practiced skills starting to hold up to the pressure of match play. Best wishes to the team of ladies we have travelling to London next weekend.
Volunteers in Sport Awards
Congratulations to our chairperson, Aoife McCarthy, on being announced as the Westmeath winner for the Volunteers in Sports Awards by the Federation of Irish Sport. We all know how dedicated Aoife is to handball and our club, not just as a player but with the development of our youth also. The time that Aoife gives to the club is unbelievable and we are delighted to see a volunteer from our club being recognised for the hard work they do. Aoife will receive her award on February 28 at an awards ceremony in Dublin. Big congratulations to Aoife from all in Mullingar Handball Club.