JUNIOR handball throughout Ireland is probably at it highest level for a long time and that is reflected in the entries for this week's Golden Gloves Ranking Tournament, organised by St Paul's, Belfast. Entries have been received from various counties for the popular event that hits off on Friday.
“We had a fantastic All-Ireland Féile finals in Belfast this year and, no doubt, the Golden Gloves has benefited,” said tournament coordinator Séamus Ó Tuama.
“The juvenile grade is very strong now in Ulster, including Belfast, with a lot of clubs doing great work at that level. A county development squad is being formed.”
Apart from the underage grades, this week's Golden Gloves has received the second highest number of entries for many years. Only in 2012, when the World Championships were held in Ireland, were the entries higher in recent times.
“We have got a very strong entry in the Men's Open, with Charly Shanks seeded number one," added Ó Tuama.
"Martin Mulkerrins is coming from Galway and Michael Gregan from Wicklow. There are also a number of the younger players, like Johnny Woods, who are now challenging the more established players, who have entered. Unfortunately, Killian Carroll from Cork, who won last year Men’s Open for his first senior success, is not available to defend the title. At present, he is in Arizona."
The organisers have extended the Masters' event into A and B competitions and there is also a Golden Masters' grade. An unexpected entry for the Masters has been received from Bob Turnan in Boston, about whom little is known. The Plate Competition in the Men's Open, which was introduced last year, has been retained.
While the emphasis is, naturally, on this week's Golden Gloves, which is sponsored by Belfast Crystal and Kevin Winters & Co Solicitors, thoughts are being cast towards the 2016 event, which will mark the 30th staging of the tournament and the 75th anniversary of the St Paul's club. One of the ideas already tossed around is adding a One-Wall section to the events.
“Yes, that is a possibility as we want 2016 to be a real special Golden Gloves,” said Ó Tuama.
At this time last year, all the major finals were played at the Gort na Móna courts as St Paul's courts were being refurbished and the organisers paid tribute to the likes of Robbie McMahon and others for the great help they received in staging the action.
Seven courts spread over St Paul’s, Gort na Móna, Rossa and Coláiste Feirste will be used next weekend to host the long list of competitions that will be competed for over the weekend.
