Niall O’Connor Rapid Fire Challenge

WPH Press

Niall O’Connor was one of the most promising junior handball players in the world in his teens, competing evenly against Killian Carroll and Diarmaid Nash in Irish junior events. O’Connor suffered a series of injuries, including shoulder surgery, that kept him off the court for several years. NC qualified for the R48 tour by ending Shorty Ruiz’s streak of 14 consecutive qualifier final victories in Salt Lake City, then shocked R48 #2 Danos Cordova in the round of 16 at the 2020 R48 Tucson Memorial. O’Connor will be a fixture on the Race 4 Eight tour post-pandemic, as this stylish lefty possesses all of the skills to reach the top of the rankings.

Before NC can ascend the Race 4 Eight Power Rankings, he must Rapid Fire.

Niall O’Connor Rapid Fire Challenge

1. Best city to play: Probably California at the moment
2. Who is your toughest opponent: Robbie McCarthy Jnr.
3. Fastest person in handball: Luis Cordova
4. Who is the hardest hitter in handball: Dessie Keegan
5. Best server in handball: Paul Brady
6. Best off-hand in handball: Paul Brady
7. Handball hero: My coach, Vinny Wrynn
8. Favorite court: Ballymore Eustace 60×30* (52×24)
9. Player with the best offense: Sean Lenning
10. Player with the best defense: Dave Chapman
11. Most satisfying tournament victory: My first All-Ireland, Under 14
12. Most disappointing loss: Minor All-Ireland Semi Final v Marty Mulkerrins
13. Most important title win: Hardball All-Ireland Senior Singles title
14. Favorite doubles partner: Paul Moran
15. Longest match you ever played: Every time I play Danny Cordova it seems to last about 3 days
16. Favorite sport besides handball: MMA/Football
17. Favorite tournament (ever): USHA Collegiates – Any year the WPH were there
18. Best match you’ve ever played: Minor 60×30 Leinster Final v Dean Corrigan
19. Best match you’ve ever watched: Brady v Moreno – 2015 World Final
20. Title you’d most like to win: World Open Singles but winning a 3-wall Open title would be cool too
21. Favorite sport to play besides handball: Ping Pong
22. Favorite athlete (any sport): Dorian Yates (British Bodybuilder)
23. What is your favorite book: Bounce by Matthew Syed
24. What is your favorite movie: Good Will Hunting
25. What your favorite tv show: House of Cards
26. Most important shot in handball: Serve followed by return of serve. The rest is just filler
27. Your best shot: Neither of the above – probably corner kill
28. Legend you’d most like to play in his prime: Dave Chapman
29. Best Fans in Handball: My parents

Niall O’Connor WPH Memory Monday HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer