THEY SAY the secret of success in life is to be ready to take the opportunity when it comes. For Kilmore’s Caitríona Millane and Broadford’s Martina McMahon that opportunity is knocking on the door as the pair embark on their journey to the World Handball Championships in Calgary, Canada next week, carrying with them their childhood dreams and high expectations.
Both girls secured places on the 15-strong Irish team that will cross the Atlantic in the hopes of securing World titles, with wins in the Girls 15 and Under event for Millane and a Ladies Open Double victory for McMahon, who will partner top seed, Aisling Reilly, in Calgary. Over the past few months, the girls have trained endlessly with one goal in mind – bringing home a world title. The honour of representing the country is also something that is propelling the duo forward.
“It’s a dream come true,” said 15-year-old, Millane.
“To represent Ireland is a massive achievement in any sport and I’m really looking forward to pulling on the jersey in Canada.”
Millane’s playing career started when she was a primary school student at An Módh Scoil in Limerick City, aged just 10.
“As part of the regeneration scheme in the City, we had coaches that came in to the school and we were lucky have two old outdoor alleys on site,” explained Millane.
“It all started there really, with Donal Hayes coaching us, and then Áine Ní Dhochartaigh started a club in the school, which I joined, and over the last few years, I’ve become more and more competitive.”
Millane is one of the shining lights in underage handball, while McMahon came through the juvenile ranks in a similar fashion and is now beginning to enjoy success at adult level. Broadford’ Pat Murphy has taken both girls under his wing in recent years, and has produced two of the finest players in the underage and adult games.
“Pat takes me twice a week and we work on everything from serving to killing to positioning in the court,” said Millane.
“The other days, I try to get some tough training games in so that I push myself against better and stronger players.”
One of the player Millane look up to is McMahon, who mapped a similar route to her young protégée in her younger years, spending hours in the alley perfecting ad honing her skills.
“At the moment, I’m spending a lot of time on fitness,” said McMahon.
“We’re very fortunate to have a gym in the alley in Broadford and when some of us are in the alley, others are in the gym.
“It works really well.”
Martina will join forces with Reilly as the top seeds in the Ladies Open Doubles grade, and the 21-year-old is relishing the challenge.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” she said.
“It’s been difficult to get games in because of our geographical locations (Reilly is based in Belfast), but we’re both working hard on our games and I’m sure once we get to Canada, we’ll be able to get some time in the alley together.”
Over 1,000 handballers from 20 countries will travel to Alberta’s largest city, home of the famed annual Stampede, to compete in this year’s World Championships. The Irish Team will depart on August 9th, with representatives in the U-15, U-17, U-19 and Senior grades across both the Male and Female one-wall and four-wall codes; GAA Team Ireland is ready for the battle.“When we land, we’ll be fine-tuning our game strategies and getting used to the courts,” said McMahon. “I’m really looking forward to the challenge; I’m going to do my best out there; hopefully, that will be good enough to win title.” The Limerick ladies are ready; let the games begin.
Caitríona Milane
40×20 Girls 15 and Under Irish Represenative
Club: Laochra Láimhe na Modhscoile, Limerick
Honours: 2014 U14 60×30 All-Ireland Champion
All-Ireland 15 and Under Champion 2015
15 and Under Nationals Champion
Martina McMahon
40×20 Ladies Open Doubles Representative
Club: Broadford, Limerick
Honours: 2015 Intermediate Championship Winner
2014 All-Ireland Singles and Doubles 40×20 Winner
2014 One-Wall Ladies Open Nationals Winner
Ladies B Four-Wall World Champion 2012
Ladies B One-Wall World Champion 2012
