Cuileann makes her mark on the world stage
Cuileann Bourke addresses the crowd at Belcarra Community Centre who turned up to celebrate her achievements at this year's World Wallball Championships. Pictures: Michael Donnelly
A celebration was held in Belcarra recently to mark the international success of local handball ace Cuileann Bourke.
Representing Belcarra Handball Club, Cuileann captured a gold and a silver medal at the 2024 World Wallball Championships held in Limerick in August.
To qualify for the world championships is a remarkable achievement in itself, but to come away with medals speaks volumes of the skill and talent that Cuileann possesses in the handball alley.
Bourke fell just short in the Ladies ‘A’ Singles competition, losing out in the final to Caitlin Conway from Tyrone. However, she bounced back and won the Ladies ‘A’ Double Championship, teaming up with Armagh handballer Cailíosa Ní Dhúill. In the final, they defeated the USA team of Shena Brown and Samantha Torres (USA) on scorelines of 21-7, 20-21, 11-10.
The final set saw the team of Bourke and Ní Dhúill capture victory in dramatic circumstances, securing the win on a make-or-break match point round.
To mark Cuileann’s achievement, a celebration took place in Belcarra Community Centre earlier this month.
Her medal haul is the latest in a long line of successes for Belcarra Handball Club, which has produced champion handball players at local, regional, national and international level.
The World Wallball Championships proved a happy hunting ground for Mayo competitors. Ian McLoughlin from Newport HC won the Men’s ‘A’ Doubles Plate with partner Séamus Conneely from Galway while Chris Gavaghan and Shane Heraty won the Men’s ‘B’ Doubles Plate. George Miller won the Men’s 60+ Singles Plate while Michael Corley and Michael Lang finished as runners up in the Men’s 50+ Doubles Plate. Ollie Cassidy and Dessie Keegan were runners up in the Men’s Over-40s Doubles competition.
