2009 promises to be a big year for Westmeath handball with the opening of Delvin's new state-of-the-art complex and the participation of local players in the World Championships in Oregon. Westmeath handball is set to receive a major boost with the opening of a new state-of-the-art complex in Delvin this year. This new handball and community centre will ensure that local handballers have top-class facilities on hand to develop and master the art of handball. The ambitious project began a number of years ago and despite some ups and downs along the way, the completed centre is scheduled to open in early 2009. It consists of one 40x20 court with a large viewing area, as well as a meeting room, changing facilities and showers. According to Westmeath handball secretary Robbie McCarthy Snr, the new facility on Delvin's main street will enable club members to enhance their skills and hopefully attract new members to the club. "It will be great for Westmeath handball to have such a fine court at its disposal in Delvin," he says. "There is a long and proud tradition of handball in the town, and with some coaching, the young players will increase their skill levels, and ultimately increase their chance of success in handball. The late PJ O'Shaughnessy was the driving force behind Delvin handball for many years, and he would be very proud of this facility." Robbie is hoping that the new facility will produce young handballers who are capable of following in the footsteps of his own son Robbie jnr and John O'Shaughnessy, who have won numerous World, USHA and All-Ireland juvenile titles between them in recent years. This major rejuvenation of the handball scene in Delvin is the result of an ambitious drive by the local community, and in particular, Margaret O'Shaughnessy. Plans are afoot to re-ignite some of the clubs which formerly played in a very competitive league in Westmeath. The likes of Ballynacargy, Ballymore, Kilbeggan, Mullingar, Multyfarnham and Delvin all took part in the leagues and with facilities already in these areas, McCarthy believes there is no reason why this cannot happen again. "We're hoping that a number of these clubs can come back into the reckoning again. But until such time as players register themselves, we cannot revive the leagues. There seems to be a lot of handballers out there who have no interest in playing the sport competitively." Robbie McCarthy snr and jnr almost caused an upset at last year's One-Wall tournament in Abbeylara, Co. Longford. In the Senior Doubles final, the father and son duo were pitted against top one-wall players, Armagh's Charly Shanks and James Doyle, who went in as raging favourites. However, the McCarthys won the opening game 15-11 and a major shock looked to be on the cards when they were tied on 9-9 each in game two. But the Armagh pair finished strongly to take the game 15-9 and force a decider. In the tiebreaker, the Armagh duo raced into a 9-3 lead, only for the McCarthys to battle back to within two points, 9-7. But Shanks and Doyle held on to claim a two-point victory. Another member of the McCarthy clan, Aoife, experienced mixed fortunes in 2008, losing out in a number of All-Ireland finals, but had the consolation of collecting several Leinster titles along the way. The young star's attentions are now firmly set on the World Championships in Portland, Oregon where she will look to add another world title following her success in Canada in 2006. Also last year, Robbie jnr teamed up with Dublin's Eoin Kennedy in the Danny O'Sullivan Memorial Tournament in Hospital, Co. Limerick to win the title against some very tough opposition. Leona Archibald and Niamh Egan were defeated in the 40x20 Leinster final by eventual All-Ireland champions Patricia and Stacy Doyle from Wicklow, while Niamh also lost out in the Leinster Singles final to Patricia Doyle. All eyes are now on the World Championships which take place in Oregon in October. The three McCarthys, Robbie snr, Robbie jnr and Aoife will be competing, as will their fellow Mullingar club member Niamh Egan, who works in Croke Park as the National Handball Promotions Administrator. "We're looking forward to the warm weather and giving it a good crack," Robbie snr says. "All our preparations are geared towards the Worlds and hopefully we'll give a good account of ourselves. These championships only come around every three years so you have to make the most of the opportunity. We're all hopeful of doing well." Much of the spotlight will be on Robbie McCarthy jnr who is still finding his feet at senior level after a phenomenally successful underage career. "It has been a big step-up for him over the past couple of years, and it will take a lot of time and hard work if he's to get to the top," his father and lifelong coach explains. "Robbie won every honour that was available to him at underage level, but senior handball is a totally different proposition. It's like moving up from minor to senior football. "Paul Brady (Cavan), Tony Healy (Cork) and Eoin Kennedy (Dublin) are not only the top three players in Ireland, but in the world. That's the standard he has to reach. Brady trains four or five hours every day, whereas Robbie doesn't have that sort of time at the moment with work and everything. "Currently, Robbie is ranked about sixth in Ireland which isn't bad going for a 21-year-old. So far, senior handball has been an education for him, but he is committed to reaching the top. And hopefully the World Championships will bring out the best in him once again." Tweet

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