'It’s pure hard work' - After making breakthrough, Walsh eyeing handball title tilt

The Mallow right-hander plays Rory Grace from Tipperary in the round of 16 on Saturday.

EYES ON THE PRIZE: David Walsh of Cork in attendance at the 2025 oneills.com 4-Wall Men's & Ladies' Senior Singles All Ireland Championship Launch. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile 

It hasn’t been a straightforward journey to this point for 25-year-old Cork handballer David Walsh but ahead of a crunch weekend in the oneills.com All-Ireland Senior Singles, the Mallow right-hander wouldn’t have it any other way.

The usual path in handball to senior stardom is a stellar underage career. Walsh, however, was not highly-ranked in singles play as a minor and clawed his way to the elite ranks by winning doubles titles – but, in 2024, he emerged as the best young player in the country.