Almost twenty of Ireland's finest juvenile handballers will travel to Chicago on Tuesday 22nd December to prepare for the USHA Junior Nationals, which get underway on December 26th next. An official squad of six all sealed places on the team after intense qualifier battles, but plenty of other hopefuls will travel independently with hopes of seeking revenge on the Irish squad, while also accounting for some of the top Americans. Cork are well represented on the squad, with four of the six players and leading the charges in the 19 and Under grade one of the rising talents in the Rebel County, Liscarroll's Shane Hedigan, who also won a World Men's C title in Portland, Oregon last October. "We have a very strong squad and hope to do well against the Americans," said Hedigan. "It's always a great tournament to take part in and while it can be difficult for some being away from home for Christmas, once the games begin, you go into automatic competition mode." Spearheading the Irish challenge in the Ladies 19 and Under bracket is Wicklow's Shauna Hilley, who collected two titles at the World Championships in Portland. As one of the most promising stars in the women's domestic game, Hilley should have little trouble handling what the Americans throw at her. She will also partner Cork's Catriona Casey in the 19 and Under Doubles and the young Ballydesmond handballer will be keen to add another title to her growing collection. Casey will also contest the 17 and Under Singles category. The 17 and Under Boys section will provide some thrilling affairs, with Casey's fellow Rebel, Killian Carroll, one of the favourites in this group. Carroll game through a very competitive Irish trials to take the spot and will be hoping to continue his winning ways. In the 15 and Under grade, Galway's Ciana Ní Churraoin and Cork's Denis O'Neill will fly the Irish flag and both look like serious contenders in their sections, and both are making their debut in representing Ireland. Ciana, however, did win three world titles in Portland and shows huge potential for the future. With plenty of expatriate Irish living in Chicago, there is sure to be plenty of support for the squad, with action getting underway on Saturday. Irish junior national team 19 and Under Boys: Shane Hedigan (Cork) 19 and Under Girls: Shauna Hilley (Wicklow) 17 and Under Boys: Killian Carroll (Cork) 17 and Under Girls: Catríona Casey (Cork) 15 and Under Boys: Denis O'Neill (Cork) 15 and Under Girls: Ciana Ní Churraoin (Galway) Manager: Ryan Daly (Tyrone) Ass Manager: Frances Curran (Galway) Tweet

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