Minneapolis, MN, WPH Press, 8/19/18
Day 11
Women’s Open Singles Final
Casey vs. McMahon
Martina McMahon played with conviction and purpose from the first ball in the world championship final, building a 13-3 lead on Casey by overpowering the WR48 #1. McMahon pushed Casey into survival mode in virtually every rally during the first half of the first game, with Casey just hoping for McMahon errors to win rallies. Casey rallied behind a great power serve to close the gap, striking seven ace serves and earning first-strike opportunities to dictate rallies to close the gap to 15-18. Casey would close to within two at 18-20 but was never able to catch McMahon, as McMahon took a one-game lead.
The first half of game two closely resembled the second half of game one, as McMahon and Casey played evenly en route to a 12-all tie. McMahon composed herself for a final push at 12-all, swinging freely and confidently to score the final nine points of the match to earn her first 4-Wall singles world title. With the championship, McMahon became the first player in World Championship history to win the Wall Ball Open Singles and 4-Wall Open Singles.
“This is a dream that became reality,” stated Martina McMahon. “I sad three years ago that this is what I wanted to win and it’s happened so I’m over the moon. I’m 23 and I suppose at my peak now.”
Final: McMahon def Casey 21-18, 21-12
Men’s Open Doubles Final: Team Ireland vs. Team USA
McCarthy and Nash successfully defended their world title, dominating the action against the defending 3-Wall and 4-Wall national champions Sean Lenning and Marcos Chavez. McCarthy and Nash controlled the action throughout the match, just as they had done throughout the event. After dominating game one, McCarthy and Nash withstood a Lenning rally late in game two to hoist the crown for the second time.
“I looks like the Irish are playing with howitzers,” stated Hall of Fame legend Fred Lewis. “The Irish blasted every ball, they make great gets, and they make very few mistakes.”
“I would put Robbie and Diarmaid against any doubles team in the history of the game,” declared Dave Vincent.
“We compliment one another well because I’m a lefty and he’s a righty,” stated Nash in reference to the pairing. “Robbie has such a good serve, great power, and great defense and I suppose I can pick well and play the inside of the court.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be back in three years but I’m happy to win this one anyways,” stated McCarthy.
Final: McCarthy/Nash def Lenning/Chavez 21-7, 21-14
Women’s Open Doubles Final: Reilly/McMahon vs. Casey/O’Keeffe
McMahon continued her stellar play in the doubles, as McMahon and two-time world championships singles champion Aisling Reilly overwhelmed WR48 #1 Catriona Casey and Aisling O’Keeffe. Reilly and McMahon cruised in game one, built a big lead in game two, and closed out the match with three consecutive one-inch high kills.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to top this again,” stated McMahon
“I think my persistence in keeping the rally going and giving Martina a chance to flatten the ball made us work together as a team,” stated Reilly. “You’ll see us again in three years, definitely!”
With the doubles championship, McMahon completed the World Championship “Triple Crown,” winning the 4-Wall singles and doubles and the Wall Ball singles.
“The Triple Crown will likely never happen again so this is truly history,” stated Vincent.
Editor’s Note: Martina McMahon is the current World 4 Wall Singles & Doubles Champion, USHA 4 Wall National Singles* Doubles Champion, World 1WallBall Singles Champion, All Ireland 4 Wall Singles Champion and World Outdoor 3WallBall (Small Ball) Champion, to name just a few!
Final: Reilly/McMahon def Casey/O’Keeffe 21-5, 21-15
Follow the Men’s Open Singles bracket HERE
Follow the Women’s Open Singles draw HERE
Follow the Men’s Open Doubles bracket HERE
Follow the Women’s Open Doubles bracket HERE
Race 4 Eight pro player bios here
Race 4 Eight Power Rankings: HERE
To follow all of the draws and results from the World Championships, go HERE
To view the WPH World Championships preview, go HERE
Buy Team USA gear HERE
Follow the World Championships at wphlive.tv and ushandball.org
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
The 2018 World Handball Championship has finished with today being another fantastic day for the Irish in Minnesota with Limerick’s Martina McMahon winning her first World 4-Wall Open Ladies Title. In doing so she becomes the 1st woman ever to slam both the 1-Wall and the 4-Wall World Championships!!!
Also taking home gold today was the Men’s Senior Doubles team of Robbie McCarthy and Diarmuid Nash and the Ladies Senior Doubles team of Martina McMahon and Aisling Reilly.
The Ladies Senior Singles final was a repeat of the Irish Singles Final that was played last March in which Martina McMahon won by a single ace and that win confirmed her position as Ladies Team Captain for these Worlds. In the opening game today McMahon took an early 8-2 lead as Catriona Casey seem very nervous at the start. McMahon extended her lead to 10-2 but Casey played her way into the game and was only 2 aces down as she trailed 15-17. At this crucial stage McMahon restored her advantage to 20-15 but it took six chance before she got over the line to win the first 21-18.
The second game started in a similar fashion with McMahon again starting well by leading 5-0 but Casey really upped her game and just trailed 4-6 a short time later. There was only ever a couple of aces between both girls until the scores were level at 12 all. The game was at a pivotal point at this stage but McMahon with an ace took the initiative and went 16-12 up. Casey got into serve but did not score. When McMahon returned to the service box for the next few minutes the large crowed witness some of the best serving that has ever been seen in the Ladies game as McMahon with 3 aces and 2 kills closed out the game and the match 21-12 to win her first 40×20 Senior Singles World title.
McMahon followed up her stunning singles win by then teaming up with Antrim’s Aisling Reilly to take the Ladies Open Doubles title this afternoon. McMahon/Reilly defeated Catriona Casey/Aishling O Keeffe 21-5, 21-15 to take the title for the second time.
Earlier in the day Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy and Clare’s Diarmaid Nash won the Men’s Open Doubles title also for a second time with a two game victory over the American’s Marcos Chavez and Sean Lenning. The first game was hotly contested but the Irish combination dominated most rallies and took the first 21-7. In the second game, McCarthy and Nash stormed to an early lead, which the men from the states were unable to claw back, eventually going down 21-14.
The Juvenile Team Ireland members also had a wonderful world’s with many medals on the way home to Ireland tonight.
Day 11 Key Results (4-Wall) – Sunday 19th:
- Ladies Open Singles Final: Martina McMahon (Team Ireland) dft Catriona Casey (Cork) 21-18, 21-12
- Mens Open Doubles Final: Robbie McCarthy/Diarmuid Nash (Team Ireland) dft Marcos Chavez/Sean Lenning (USA) 21-7, 21-14
- Ladies Open Doubles Final: Martina McMahon/Aisling Reilly (Team Ireland) dft Catriona Casey/Aishling O’Keeffe 21-5, 21-15
- Boys 17&U Singles Final: Eoghan McGinnity (Team Ireland) dft Mark Rodgers 21-14, 21-8
- Boys 15&U Singles Final: Josh Kavanagh (Team Ireland) dft Mikey Kelly 21-16, 21-10
- Girls 19&U Singles Final: Sinead Meagher dft Megan McCann (Team Ireland) 21-12, 17-21, 11-6
- Girls 17&U Singles Final: Niamh Heffernan (Team Ireland) dft Leah Doyle 21-9, 21-12
- Girls 15&U Singles Final: Mairead Fox (Team Ireland) dft Noelle Dowling 21-15, 21-13
CLICK HERE FOR THE RESULTS OF ALL THE FINALS PLAYED AT THIS YEAR’S WORLDS
