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Cork Women Continue To Dominate The Traditional Handball Court
In GAA circles recently, there has been abundant talk of incredible intercounty teams and the drivefor-five but the Ballydesmond pairing of Catriona Casey and Aishling O’Keeffe have surpassed all those achievements and will next year be looking to claim their 10th consecutive Senior 60x30 Doubles title. This comes in the wake of the Cork pairing dominating Killkenny with a 21-11, 21-11 victory in the 2023 senior Doubles final in the traditional Irish 60ft by 30ft handball court played with the softball handball. Their record could be even more eye-watering considering the two-year enforced absence of the competition during the recent pandemic, but nine Senior 60x30 Doubles titles and seven Senior 40x20 Doubles wins a record that is likely to never be touched and the duo aren’t planning on finishing there.
“The hunger doesn’t fade. I would say we stay motivated because ever senior title is so important and special. We forget about what we’ve won in the past and just focus on what’s ahead of us. Everyone is different, they’re all special and important and that’s what keeps us motivated.”
Opponents will not be encouraged by Aishling’s comments as they look for a chink in her armour of the perennial champions, but Cork supporters can look forward to the pairing seeking to set numerous records that will prove immensely difficult to be matched in any GAA code in future.
Catriona and Aishling began their handball careers together in Ballydesmond as eight-year-olds and have dominated the Senior landscape since their debut as teenagers. Together they have experienced nearly everything that could be expected in the handball court, but a final is always a special occasion for Aishling. “I would get nervous before games, especially when it’s a final, you’d always be nervous. I think that’s part and parcel of playing and I always think nerves are a good thing. It means you’re getting ready and set to play.” The recent official opening of the new handball facility at Croke Park afforded the Cork team with an opportunity to create more history in this year’s final. “It would be extra special to win the first Senior Doubles final in the new 60x30 in Croke Park. It was very special when we won the first 40x20 in March so it would be amazing to do the double. The new facilities in Croke Park are amazing, the 60x30 court is a really lovely alley to play in and it would be absolutely fantastic to win there.” Cork supporters can look forward to future titles being brought back Leeside by the dominant duo in the coming years and may see a decade of dominance come to fruition!
