R48 #25 and current “A” Singles National Champion David Walsh discusses his start in handball, favorite handball memories, instructional tips, his toughest rival and more in Part One of Walsh’s World, Exclusively on Patreon
David Walsh is one of the brightest stars in the sport with the physical and mental tools to reach the pinnacle of the Race 4 Eight tour. Walsh won the 19-and-under USHA 4-Wall junior national championship in December of 2018, clinched the “A’ Singles at the 2019 USHA Four Wall Nationals and earned his first R48 ranking point at the 2020 New Orleans R48LTE. Armed with excellent power and command of both the Irish whip and the sidearm stroke, this precocious 21-year-old travels the globe in pursuit of playing the world’s best playing with the aim of improving at each event.
Enjoy part one of Walsh’s World, exclusively on Patreon.
Getting Started in Handball
I started playing handball the week after my brother Conor started. He was seven and I was eight. We would go training every week with our friends and play a game we called “knockout”. It’s basically the winner of the rally continues to serve and the loser goes to the back of the line waiting for their turn to get in again! Mallow being such a strong club in Ireland definitely has aided me in becoming the player I am today. I grew up watching Killian Carroll, Tadgh Carroll, Ryan Harkin, Pa Herlihy and more. And nowadays I’ve loads of options for training games – my brother Conor, Cian O Driscoll, Tadhg O Neill, Tadgh Carroll and Ballydesmonds Tony Healy and Brendan Fleming train in Mallow quite often also!
Favorite handball memories
Some of my favourite memories as a youngster in handball would be winning All Ireland titles. I played all doubles throughout my juvenile years winning U15, U16 and Minor Doubles x2. The U19 US Junior Nationals title in Portland was my first big singles win.
Apart from competition, the social aspect of handball in Ireland is great! I have always loved watching big finals in packed galleries with friends I made from all around the country! More recently, I’ve gotten amazing opportunities to travel the US going to some Pro Stops playing the likes of David Fink, Luis Cordova, and Leo Canales which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed!
Instruction tips
For me, I feel as though I was never the fittest in the past and this would always be my weakness, now I believe this is one of my strengths. Tadgh Carroll has massively helped me with this providing me with programs for the last number of years. A bad habit I have is just “going to sleep” for a spell of a match, losing focus. I believe as though I have everything it takes now, it’s just fine-tuning, and I’m sure I’ll get to where I want to be.
Toughest Rival
Maybe Fergal Coughlan, we have played quite a number of times in the last few years. I got the better of him in the 19 & U nationals, Irish Collegiates and the U21 Munster Championship in recent years, this year though he got the better off me in the Intermediate Munster Championship. My age group growing up was tough – myself, Fergal, Shane Dunne, Sean Kerr, Tadgh O Neill, Daniel Kavanagh, Diarmuid Mulkerrins, Tiarnan Agnew & more – some great battles!
Stay tuned for Walsh’s World Part II, coming soon on Patreon!
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer