Fourteen St Brigid’s’ handballers along with coaches, parents and supporters joined over 880 players from across Ireland and the world to play in the first ever standalone World Wall Ball Championships held in University of Limerick last week.

UL Sports Arena was transformed into a handballing paradise, with 9 courts, and constant handball matches from early morning until late at night over the six days.

With so many Brigid’s players in action over the course of the week, there was plenty of cheering and strong support for our players, who represented the club so well.

U11 Doubles competition was a superb opportunity for Aaron & Charlie, and Lauren & her partner Alannah Staunton from Mullingar Handball Club to show off their talents and play other teams from across Ireland.

Ciara, Sophie, and Lauren participated in the U-13 girls’ singles competition.  Lauren did very well in the plate tournament, losing out to the eventual winner in the Quarter Final stage.   Sophie played some super handball and was beaten in a close quarter-final match.  Ciara made it all the way to the final against a strong Antrim opponent, Nina McBride.  Following a cracker of a match, it was Nina who won the tie break third game. Ciara and Sophie also got to the final of the U13 Girls’ doubles after a tough semi-final against the Antrim girls, but narrowly beaten by a strong pair from Tipperary & Leitrim.

Patrick played in the u-13 boys singles competition.  He played well in his two matches, narrowly beaten in the plate.

Grace & Juno teamed up in the U15 girls’ doubles, recording a fantastic win in their quarter final versus Mullingar before being defeated by a strong pair from Abbeyknockmoy & Ballydesmond at semi-final stage.

Finn & Daragh played in both the U15 boys singles and doubles competitions where the standard of handball was incredibly high. The boys played very well in the singles, before bowing out to some of the best players in the country in the last 16 and quarter final stages.  As a doubles team they reached the semi-final, following an epic quarter final match against a team from Breachach, Tyrone. Watched by many back home on the You Tube livestream, they played some super handball in the semi-final against Abbeylara, Longford, but unfortunately just lost out in a very close match.

Our adult section was well represented by Jim, Jonny, Eoghan & Rory.  Rory played some fine singles matches in the O-60 category, including a quarter final victory against the top US player in the category (Paul Williams), before losing out in the final on the Friday against Robbie McCarthy Snr from Mullingar

Notwithstanding the super performances by all, the highlights from the week were without doubt, the friendships that were made and getting to hang out with the best players in the world.

St. Brigid’s Handball club has been challenging for major honours for the last few years at national level, winning multiple County, Leinster and national titles across the juvenile and adult sections. This level of performance was taken to the world stage at this prestigious event, and the players once again stepped up to the plate.

St Brigid’s players have left their mark on the World stage and are already looking forward to Canada in 2027…..!!!

Players that participated: Aaron Carthy, Charlie Battle, Lauren O’Reilly, Sophie Floyd, Patrick Gohery, Ciara O’Reilly, Grace Carthy, Juno Neylon, Daragh Kehoe, Finn Lynch, Eoghan Morgan, Jonny Westlake, Rory Lynch, Jim Dunlea