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.