A student and a world champ
World handball champion Rory Grace marked another golden moment as he graduated from University of Limerick.
Rory, from Kilruane, was conferred with a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Accounting on Thursday, joining more than 3,670 students graduating as part of the University’s autumn ceremonies.
It topped off a momentous year in which the 22-year-old claimed gold in the Men’s A Doubles at the World Handball Championships alongside fellow UL student Sean Coughlan. The event, which was held at UL’s Sports Arena in August, drew top talent from all over the world.
“There were two world championships this year: the 40x20 code and the wallball code … and I won the doubles in both the four wall and the wallball,” explained Rory.
“We weren’t favourites going in there. The one-wall was a particular shock - we beat two New Yorkers in the final, and it would be a predominantly American game.
“To win it in UL was special - I think it would probably be up there with my best memories of UL. It was the culmination of your sport, in your college - it doesn’t get much better than that.”
Rory, who played both hurling and handball growing up, was introduced to the sport by Vincent O’Shea, a coach at his local GAA handball club, Lahorna.
“I started when I was about 12 years of age and just a few of my friends were doing it at hurling, and I said I’d give it a go,” he recalled.
“I stayed training after that and competing in the Cumann na mBunscol competitions and realised, OK, maybe we’re not too bad at this! As things progressed from those days, I was lucky to have the constant support of my parents, who backed me from the very start and continue to do so.”
A niche sport, but one growing in popularity in Ireland, Rory describes handball as “individual sport, summed up”: “You don’t really have a coach, as such - you get going, and then it’s up to yourself how much you put into it. You’re reliant on yourself, and you set your own goals of what you can and can’t do.”
DEDICATED
Given the level of success Rory has enjoyed, including wining the U21 All-Ireland Singles Championship in 2022, the UL Sports Scholar is clearly as dedicated as he is talented.
“I like the fact that it’s a solo sport. Obviously, it’s a lonely place when it’s not going well, but the highs are very high, and they cancel out the lows along the way,” he said.
There is also the bonus of flexibility with training as well as competing - a real advantage for Rory when it came to balancing his studies with his sport.
“You’re not trying to fit into a training schedule that’s sent into a WhatsApp group - it’s on your own, whenever suits, and that really helped me through college. You could put the foot down when you didn’t have assignments, and you knew by week six or seven that the pressure would be on.”
UL was always Rory’s first choice for third level, having been on campus over the years at various summer camps and school visits. Naturally, the sports facilities were a major draw for him.
“I didn’t even consider going anywhere else,” he recalled, “When you’re going on your school tours, it’s a teenager’s dream, isn’t it? UL Sport is amazing - second to none. You don’t want for anything. The facilities speak for themselves - the gym, the pool, even the recovery facilities after training.”
When it came to his course, Law and Accounting, Rory was drawn to the idea of studying dual subjects and the strong, varied career prospects of such a qualification. The decision has proven auspicious for Rory, who currently works part-time at the local firm where he completed his eight-month co-op placement, O’Brien Duff Corporate Services in Nenagh.
“You learn so much inside UL, and you’re wondering how it’s going to work in the real world. But since coming here [to the firm], getting to put it into practice has really helped me to understand real world aspects of the degree,” he said. It’s no surprise that some of Rory’s best memories at UL centre around his sport, particularly as part of his role as chairperson of the UL Handball Club. “We travel to the US Collegiate Championships every year for a 10-day trip.”
Rory is not finished with UL just yet and will be returning to undertake a one-year master’s degree in finance at Kemmy Business School. “I liked it so much, I’m coming back again!” he laughed. “Career is driving me at the moment, so I’ll focus on the master’s and try to get the best possible achievement from that.” And, sport-wise, I still have college eligibility for next year, so I’ll be competing for UL and just trying to keep pushing myself to be the best that I can.”
The tournament takes place in a different city each year, which makes it a great way to sightsee before the competition begins and things get serious. It’s definitely a trip I look forward to every year.
“The Irish collegiates are good weekends away as well. The American one is bonus territory, but with
the Irish one, you’re there to win it. I’ve been in five out of the six finals of the Irish colleges this year, and I won three of them.
“This year has definitely been my best year competing, between another Munster Intermediate title, three All-Ireland collegiate titles, and the two World Championships.”