Its world class from Damien and Rikki!

Shane Reynolds 

World titles don’t arrive in Roscommon all that often but recently in front of a packed house at the purpose-built City West Handball Complex local handballers Damien Martin and Rikki O’Gara from St. Coman’s Handball Club won gold in the Men’s A Doubles World Championship.

  Damien and Rikki, who have been part of the St. Coman’s club from an early age, landed the title when they overcame Karl Browne and Jerome Willoughby in a nail-biting tie-breaker (11-5) for a 21-12, 8-21, 11-15 win. 

  The momentous achievement represents the pinnacle of both players’ careers and put them

…

Shane Reynolds 

World titles don’t arrive in Roscommon all that often but recently in front of a packed house at the purpose-built City West Handball Complex local handballers Damien Martin and Rikki O’Gara from St. Coman’s Handball Club won gold in the Men’s A Doubles World Championship.

  Damien and Rikki, who have been part of the St. Coman’s club from an early age, landed the title when they overcame Karl Browne and Jerome Willoughby in a nail-biting tie-breaker (11-5) for a 21-12, 8-21, 11-15 win. 

  The momentous achievement represents the pinnacle of both players’ careers and put them on course to fulfil their dream of competing in the Men’s Open World Championships in Canada in three years’ time.

  Speaking to the Roscommon People, the players revealed how much it meant to them. 

  “We’re absolutely delighted with the win,” says Damien. “It’s a great achievement for us both and it is certainly one of the proudest moments of my career to date.

  “We played three games overall in the tournament and the semi-final and final were both dramatic in their own ways as both went to a tie-break set. The semi-final in particular was really nerve-wracking as we just edged out our opponents 11-9,” he continued. Both Damien and Rikki have enjoyed very decorated handball careers, having secured a number of national titles at both junior and senior level throughout the years. However this recent triumph represents the peak of their achievements, as Rikki explained.

  “There is no doubt that this World Championship title is our finest moment as handballers. We had to put in a lot of hard work, training and dedication so to claim this accolade two weeks ago was very rewarding indeed.”

  The Roscommon town native explained that their success at ‘A’ level meant that they would now have to ply their trade in the Open Division, which is the highest level they can compete at internationally.

  “We’re very pleased with our success but we now really have to focus in order to prepare for the Men’s Open Division where the competition is of a much higher standard and look forward to Canada in three years’ time.

  Both players were quick to highlight the role which the St. Coman’s Handball Club had played in their success and they singled out a number of people for praise.

  “We have to pay tribute to everyone at St. Coman’s who has helped us get here,” stated Damien. “We’d like to thank coaches Tony Hannon, Mark O’Gara, Aengus Cunningham and Michael and Anne Naughton, all of whom do trojan work and give up their time voluntarily.

  “The work which those people are putting in at ground level is paying huge dividends when you see all the titles which are been won and all the young players who are coming through all the time.

  “We also want to thank the committee members who put in a huge effort behind the scenes, particularly Oisin Naughton and Mary Tully while a special word of praise must go to Paul Byron, who generously sponsored our kits,” said Damien.

Roscommon People
Issue: 2nd November 2012