Catriona Casey warms up for decider in New York

The handball season is coming to the boil with the stage set for the All-Ireland senior finals on March 19 — before that, though, Cork sensation Catriona Casey has a busy weekend of action in the Big Apple.

The Ballydesmond 22-year-old defeated Limerick’s Martina McMahon in straight games in the All-Ireland semi-final last Saturday and flew to New York on Monday for her first pro tournament of the season, which starts tomorrow. “Martina is travelling over too so there’ll be no easy titles, especially with the games to 15 [as opposed to 21 in Ireland],” Casey said.

Casey’s rivalry with Belfast powerhouse Aisling Reilly is the most gripping in the sport at present and the pair, who met in last August’s World Championships final in Canada, will clash again in the All-Ireland decider on Saturday week.

Losing the triennial World Championships in a heartbreaking 11-8 tiebreaker hurt Casey but she’s determined to make amends.

“Obviously it was very tough. Three years is a long time to wait again to get another chance at a world title but obviously there are lots of titles up for grabs,” she said. “The All-Ireland is my main focus for this year. Losses drive everyone on I think and hopefully I’ll be able to come out on top this time.

“In terms of preparing myself, there’s no point in over-thinking it, going back over previous games, you have to learn from them but you can’t get too emotional about it either.

“You have to focus.”