This year's Irish One-Wall National Championships has been boosted by news that recently-crowned USHA Men's Open champion, Paul Brady (Cavan) will be taking part in the Men's Open event for the first time. Brady will replace last year's winner, Armagh ace, Charly Shanks who is a late withdrawal, due to an ankle injury. While it is disappointing that Shanks will not get an opportunity to defend his title, handball spectators will relish the prospect of seeing the current world champion playing the traditional One-Wall code of the sport. The annual One-Wall Nationals has become a firm fixture in the handball calendar and this year sees the entry ten of England's top players traveling to the Sligo event. As always, the blue-riband events are the Men's Open and the Women's Open and both of this year's lineups look to have some exciting games in store. In the Men's Open, the absence of Shanks will provide a timely boost to his fellow-countyman, last year's beaten finalist, James Doyle, Mayo powerhouse, Dessie Keegan and Meath veteran, Tom Sheridan. Keegan, the current All-Ireland Hardball champion and a previous One-Wall Nationals Men's Open winner, is currently playing some of the best handball of his career and will provide stern opposition to all concerned. One other notable contender for the crown is Carlow ace, David King, another previous winner. The Women's Open looks set to be similarly intensely-contested as Roscommon aces, Katie Costello and Marianna Rushe, go in search of glory, while Mayo's Pauline Gallagher and Armagh's Maighread Ó Dúill look to cause an upset. Tweet

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