2006 was another phenomenal year for Mullingar handball sensation Robert McCarthy Jnr whose successes included All-Ireland intermediate and World title wins. Not to be outdone, his sister Aoife also brought home a World title from Canada, as did another Mullingar girl, Leona Archibald. Robert McCarthy Jnr's seemingly unstoppable march towards handball stardom continued apace last year when he won seven major titles on the national and world stages. The 19-year-old's achievements in 2006 and over the preceding six or seven years would suggest that he is well on his way towards reaching the top of his sport, although his father and lifelong coach Robbie Snr isn't looking too far ahead. "Robbie has had a lot of underage success, but he's now in with the big boys and it will take him a few years to find his feet at that level," he cautions. "He'll be competing against seniors from here on and he hopes to do well this year. I would say he is already a top-eight player, but it could take another couple of years for him to break into the top three. He's only 19, so he has plenty of time on his side." Arguably the high point of Robert's year was his capture of the All-Ireland intermediate 60x30 singles title at Croke Park in September. It was one of three All-Ireland intermediate titles he landed in 2006 - he also won the 40x20 singles and the 60x30 doubles when partnering Multyfarnham's Liam Cassidy. McCarthy had to be at his best to beat experienced Cavan handballer Patrick Finnegan 21-16, 21-6 to bring a first intermediate 60x30 singles crown back to Westmeath. There was little to choose between the two in the early stages of the first game. McCarthy then hit a number of side wall scores and passing shots down the right side of the court to lead by 17-10. Finnegan, however, fought back to trail by just two points before the turning point came when the Mullingar youngster got down low to retrieve twice near the front wall to reach 19 points. McCarthy was rarely troubled thereafter and he secured the first game with a 'kill' on the right. In the second, McCarthy was always in control despite Finnegan's gallant challenge and, at 16-3 ahead, the title was his to lose. Finnegan gained a badly needed score, but McCarthy was not to be denied and sealed victory with a brilliant passing shot down the right. Earlier that day, McCarthy teamed up with Liam Cassidy to win the intermediate 60x30 doubles title at the expense of Roscommon duo Aenghus Cunningham and Dara Rogers. They won the final over three games, 21-19, 13-21, 21-13, with McCarthy showing his class in the third game to bring the Westmeath pair from six-nil down and set them up for victory. Multy man Cassidy played his part too by securing some quick-fire points when the issue was in doubt. At 4-4 in the first game, Cassidy's serve began to cause problems for the Roscommon pair and before long, Westmeath were 9-4 ahead. Roscommon upped the pace to draw level on 9-9, and scores were also level on 16, 17, 18 and 19 all, but Westmeath got the vital two remaining points to take the first game. At 5-5 in the second, Roscommon took a grip and surged into a 13-5 lead. Cassidy swapped sides with McCarthy and the move had the desired effect as the gap was narrowed to three points, 13-10. But the Roscommon pair regained their composure to run out eight-point winners. After Roscommon opened with a 6-0 lead in the third game, the Lake County lads took control with McCarthy especially prominent. Cunningham and Rogers were still in contention with Westmeath 16-13 in front, but a flurry of quick scores from Cassidy ensured that the title was bound for the midlands. In August, McCarthy was part of a strong Irish team that travelled to Canada for the World Championships. He was accompanied from Westmeath by Robbie Snr, his sister Aoife, younger brother Ricky, Leona Archibald (Mullingar) and John O'Shaughnessy (Delvin). It proved to be a memorable occasion for the Lake County contingent, with Robert winning the under 19 singles and doubles (when he was partnered by Meath's Brian Carroll). Aoife brought future glory to the McCarthy household by claiming the girls under 15 Four-Wall 40x20 singles title (she also contested the All-Ireland under 14 singles final last year), while Leona partnered Karen Lawlor of Kerry to win the girls under 19 One-Wall doubles crown. Young Ricky McCarthy also acquitted himself very well by securing third place in the under 11 singles. Robert's successes brought to six the number of World Championships he has won to date (he had previously won two under 13 and two under 17 titles). His other victories during 2006 were in the Irish Open One-Wall Singles in Sligo and in the USHA under 19 doubles in Kansas. Robert overcame the challenge of defending champion David King from Carlow in three games to capture the Irish Open singles title in Ballisodare, Co. Sligo on July 2. And over the Christmas period, he teamed up with New York's Willie O'Donnell to win the USHA doubles in Kansas. Robbie has now won a record nine USHA titles - five singles and four doubles. With 25 All-Irelands, six Worlds and nine USHA titles to his credit, Robert McCarthy Jnr is arguably Westmeath's most successful sports star and looks set to become the first man from the county to win senior handball titles at national and international level in the coming years. "I've started playing senior and intermediate handball in the past year or two and last year was my final year as an underage player. This will be my first full year in senior handball and it will be a big challenge for me, but I know that if I can continue to work hard, I can be successful," he said. Despite McCarthy's achievements, it pains his father - who is a former All-Ireland junior title winner - to admit that handball is in a very poor state in Westmeath. Mullingar apart, the other remaining clubs in the county are struggling. "Obviously, we've produced a few World and All-Ireland champions in Mullingar over the last few years, but unfortunately the other clubs in Ballymore, Kilbeggan and Delvin aren't faring as well. The underage structures are practically non-existent in these clubs, and most of their members play for fun, rather than competitively. "We're working on ways to put some life back into these clubs, but it will be a tough battle. Handball is like boxing in that it's an individual sport and you have to be dedicated and self-motivated to play it competitively. For the majority of youngsters, partaking in team sports is much more appealing," he says. McCarthy Snr would also like to see his son receiving greater support from the Westmeath county board, concluding: "I'm disappointed that there hasn't been better support from Westmeath GAA. Obviously, the main interest is in the Sam Maguire and the Liam McCarthy, but there should be more support for someone who's achieved so much." Tweet

Most Read Stories