THERE'S no doubt the August World Handball Championships in Canada had a damaging effect on the USHA National Junior Four-Wall competitions in Des Plaines, Illinois this month.
Normally at this time of year, there is an exodus of teenage talent from Ireland to the States in pursuit of honours but only three Irish players are crossing he Atlantic this time to contest the tournaments. Tyrone boys Johnny Woods and Sean Kerr plus Cork's Cian O'Driscoll are the participants.
Beragh boys Woods and Kerr are no strangers bidding for international honours. Woods will compete at 19&Under level and is seeded No 1 in the Boys' Singles with Tyler Stoffel (North Mankato) at No 2. The pair have clashed before and it looks as if that will happen again in Des Plains, next Wednesday, when the winner will be decided.
Sean Kerr will play at 17&Under level and gets a bye into Sunday's Round of 16. He will also team up with his club colleague Woods to contest the 19&Under Doubles title. Mallow's O'Driscoll is entered at 15&Under level and will play in both the big and small ball competitions.
The USHA Junior competitions hit-off on Saturday, with the bulk of the entries being from the USA and Canada.
